Join with a codeGuideBallotsDataToolsBlog

A visual history · Grammys

The winners who defined Pop Solo.

14 ceremonies, 2012–2025. 10 different winners. The longest run belongs to Adele, with 2 straight wins.

Who won most recently?
Sabrina Carpenter in 2025 for Espresso.
Who has won the most?
Adele, 4 wins (2012, 2013, 2017, 2023).
  1. EspressoSabrina Carpenter
  2. FlowersMiley Cyrus
  3. Easy on MeAdele
  4. Drivers LicenseOlivia Rodrigo
  5. Watermelon SugarHarry Styles
  6. Truth HurtsLizzo
Years explored
2012–2025
Different winners
10
Category leader
Adele · 4
About this record

Best Pop Solo Performance was first awarded in 2012, so it does not run the full 1959–2025 window.

It replaced the separate male and female pop vocal awards, which the Recording Academy retired after 2011.

It took over from Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

2012–2025

14 ceremonies

20122025

01 / The reigns

Adele set the longest run.

The timeline turns the 2012–2025 record into a sequence of reigns. Longer bands reveal sustained runs; color shows the credited label.

  1. Adele performing Someone Like You in Seattle01
    Adele4 wins
  2. 02
    Ed Sheeran2 wins
Each band is one winner’s reign. Wider means a longer run. Colored by label; hover for details.
Adele'12–'13×2
Lorde'14
Pharrell Williams'15
Ed Sheeran'16
Adele'17
Ed Sheeran'18
Lady Gaga'19
Lizzo'20
Harry Styles'21
Olivia Rodrigo'22
Adele'23
Miley Cyrus'24
Sabrina Carpenter'25

02 / The power map

Who stood behind the winners?

Universal leads the recorded label credits with 4 wins, 2012–2025. The full distribution shows whether power was concentrated or shared.

Universal4 wins
Independent3 wins
Warner3 wins
Sony2 wins
Back Lot1 win
Erskine1 win
Wins by label
  1. Universal429%
  2. Independent321%
  3. Warner321%
  4. Sony214%
  5. Back Lot17%
  6. Erskine17%

03 / The near misses

The names that kept coming back without the ending they wanted.

Counting nominations in this category only, 2012–2025.

Most nominated, never won this award

Taylor Swift performing on the Eras Tour in Arlington, Texas
02Taylor Swift5 nominations
  1. 01
    Billie Eilish
    5 noms
  2. 03
    Ariana Grande
    4 noms
  3. 04
    Kelly Clarkson
    4 noms
  4. 05
    Beyoncé
    3 noms
  5. 06
    Doja Cat
    3 noms

Most losses in this category

Taylor Swift performing on the Eras Tour in Arlington, Texas
02Taylor Swift5 losses · 0 wins
  1. 01
    Billie Eilish
    5L · 0W
  2. 03
    Ariana Grande
    4L · 0W
  3. 04
    Kelly Clarkson
    4L · 0W
  4. 05
    Beyoncé
    3L · 0W
  5. 06
    Doja Cat
    3L · 0W

04 / The archive

Every year.
Every winner.

The complete reference behind the story, showing 2012–2025. Open any year to see the rest of the field when nominee records are available.

YearWinnerLabel
2025Sabrina Carpenter (Espresso)
beat 4 others
  • Beyoncé (Bodyguard)
  • Charli XCX (Apple)
  • Billie Eilish (Birds of a Feather)
  • Chappell Roan (Good Luck, Babe!)
Island
2024Miley Cyrus (Flowers)
beat 4 others
  • Doja Cat (Paint the Town Red)
  • Billie Eilish (What Was I Made For?)
  • Olivia Rodrigo (Vampire)
  • Taylor Swift (Anti-Hero)
Columbia
2023Adele (Easy on Me)
beat 5 others
  • Bad Bunny (Moscow Mule)
  • Doja Cat (Woman)
  • Steve Lacy (Bad Habit)
  • Lizzo (About Damn Time)
  • Harry Styles (As It Was)
Columbia
2022Olivia Rodrigo (Drivers License)
beat 4 others
  • Justin Bieber (Anyone)
  • Brandi Carlile (Right on Time)
  • Billie Eilish (Happier Than Ever)
  • Ariana Grande (Positions)
Geffen/Interscope
2021Harry Styles (Watermelon Sugar)
beat 5 others
  • Justin Bieber (Yummy)
  • Doja Cat (Say So)
  • Billie Eilish (Everything I Wanted)
  • Dua Lipa (Don't Start Now)
  • Taylor Swift (Cardigan)
Erskine/Columbia
2020Lizzo (Truth Hurts)
beat 4 others
  • Beyoncé (Spirit)
  • Billie Eilish (Bad Guy)
  • Ariana Grande (7 Rings)
  • Taylor Swift (You Need to Calm Down)
Atlantic/Nice Life
2019Lady Gaga (Joanne (Where Do You Think You're Goin'?))
beat 4 others
  • Beck (Colors)
  • Camila Cabello (Havana (Live))
  • Ariana Grande (God Is a Woman)
  • Post Malone (Better Now)
Interscope
2018Ed Sheeran (Shape of You)
beat 4 others
  • Kelly Clarkson (Love So Soft)
  • Kesha (Praying)
  • Lady Gaga (Million Reasons)
  • Pink (What About Us)
Asylum/Atlantic
2017Adele (Hello)
beat 4 others
  • Beyoncé (Hold Up)
  • Justin Bieber (Love Yourself)
  • Kelly Clarkson (Piece by Piece (Idol version))
  • Ariana Grande (Dangerous Woman)
XL/Columbia
2016Ed Sheeran (Thinking Out Loud)
beat 4 others
  • Kelly Clarkson (Heartbeat Song)
  • Ellie Goulding (Love Me Like You Do)
  • Taylor Swift (Blank Space)
  • The Weeknd (Can't Feel My Face)
Asylum/Atlantic
2015Pharrell Williams (Happy (Live))
beat 4 others
  • John Legend (All of Me (Live))
  • Sia (Chandelier)
  • Sam Smith (Stay with Me (Darkchild version))
  • Taylor Swift (Shake It Off)
Back Lot/I Am Other/Columbia
2014Lorde (Royals)
beat 4 others
  • Sara Bareilles (Brave)
  • Bruno Mars (When I Was Your Man)
  • Katy Perry (Roar)
  • Justin Timberlake (Mirrors)
Universal
2013Adele (Set Fire to the Rain (Live))repeat
beat 4 others
  • Kelly Clarkson (Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You))
  • Carly Rae Jepsen (Call Me Maybe)
  • Katy Perry (Wide Awake)
  • Rihanna (Where Have You Been)
XL/Columbia
2012Adele (Someone Like You)
beat 4 others
  • Lady Gaga (You and I)
  • Bruno Mars (Grenade)
  • Katy Perry (Firework)
  • Pink (Fuckin' Perfect)
XL/Columbia