Alessia Cara Shut Down Everyone Saying She Didn't Deserve "Best New Artist" In The Purest Way

    "I will not let everything I’ve worked for be diminished by people taking offense to my accomplishments."

    Morgan Murrell
    by Morgan Murrell

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Alessia Cara won Best New Artist at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday.

    Afp Contributor / AFP / Getty Images

    The 21-year-old singer/songwriter was nominated in the category alongside SZA, Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert, and Julia Michaels, all of whom have made serious waves in the music industry.

    Christopher Polk / Getty Images, Jamie Mccarthy / Getty Images

    But once Alessia was announced as the winner, some people on Twitter erupted with disapproval:

    Twitter: @ProducerCavi
    Emmanuel Hapsis @xcusemybeauty

    Wait, why is Alessia Cara holding SZA’s award for Best New Artist? #Grammys2018 🤔

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    Twitter: @xcusemybeauty
    Twitter: @_daaniiellaa

    Others thought she shouldn't be considered a "new" artist:

    DayDay @_DxCartae__

    Please don’t pull the SZA been out since....... bullshit. She just became mainstream and getting the attention we a… https://t.co/zrMdS5fWE0

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    Twitter: @_DxCartae__
    nancy Botwin @itsmarkjohns

    how did best new artist not go to SZA ... or khalid .. or uzi....?? I love her too but alessia cara has had music o… https://t.co/Ob9ZgL26nE

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    Twitter: @itsmarkjohns
    King Pablo @kingmildrew

    So Alessia Cara won Best New Artist? Will she stay a new artist forever? I mean she in the industry like 3 years now but whatever! #GRAMMYs

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    Twitter: @kingmildrew

    Well, the "Scars to Your Beautiful" singer decided to address the backlash head-on via Instagram on Monday.

    Instagram / Via instagram.com

    To address the apparent backlash regarding winning something I had no control over: I didn’t log onto grammy.com and submit myself. That’s not how it works. I didn’t ask to be submitted either because there are other artists that deserve the acknowledgment. But I was nominated and won, and I am not going to be upset about something I’ve wanted since I was a kid, not to mention have worked really hard for.

    I meant everything I said about everyone deserving the same shot. There is a big issue in the industry that perpetuates the idea that an artist’s talent and hard work should take a back seat to popularity and numbers. I’m aware that my music wasn’t released yesterday, I’m aware of that, yes, my music has become fairly popular in the last year. But I’m trying very hard to use the platform I’ve been given to talk about these things and bring light to issues that aren’t fair, all while trying to make the most of the weird, amazing success I’ve been lucky enough to have.

    I will not let everything I’ve worked for be diminished by people taking offense to my accomplishments and feeling the need to tell me how much I suck. Here’s something fun! I’ve been thinking I suck since I was old enough to know what sucking meant. I’ve beat u to it. And that’s why this means a lot to me. Despite my 183625 insecurities, I’ve been shown that what I’ve created is worth something and that people actually give a shit.

    All of the years feeling like I wasn’t good at anything or that I was naive for dreaming about something improbable have paid off in a way that I have yet to process. I know it sounds cheesy and dumb but it’s the honest truth. Thanks to everyone who’s shown me kindness and support along the way. I’ll stop talking now.

    So for now, it's safe to say this Canada-born artist is going to tune out the criticism and focus on those cheering her on.

    Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

    Congratulations on the win, Alessia Cara!