Bairnsdale singer-songwriter Rae Leigh has returned from Los Angeles after a whirlwind week at the 2026 Grammy Awards, bringing a piece of East Gippsland to the epicentre of the global music industry.
Attending as a member of the Recording Academy, Ms Leigh participated in the official Grammy Week events, capturing moments that have since reached more than a million people worldwide.
One of the standout highlights of the trip occurred during an un-televised portion of the ceremony, where Ms Leigh filmed British artist Yungblud receiving his first Grammy in the Rock genre.
In a heartfelt moment, Yungblud used his speech to honour Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne.
Ms Leigh’s video of the exchange went viral, clocking up over one million views collectively across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
“Witnessing the deep love, respect, and unity in the room for both legacy artists and new artists alike was incredible,” Ms Leigh said.
“There was a powerful sense of the Recording Academy acting as a collective force for good in the world through music.”
The week began at the star-studded Producers and Engineers Pre-Party, where legendary producer Timbaland spoke on the vital importance of creative collaboration.
It was here that Leigh had a “full circle” moment, meeting songwriter David Frank.
“As a passionate songwriter, it was an honour to speak with David,” Ms Leigh said.
“He wrote one of my childhood favourite songs, Christina Aguilera’s Genie in a Bottle.
“Meeting the person behind the music that shaped my early years was surreal.”
During the main ceremony, Ms Leigh witnessed a moving standing ovation for Joni Mitchell.
She captured the “innocent and beautiful” moment Ms Mitchell realised she had won another Grammy, a testament to the enduring power of legacy artists.
The event was also marked by a series of stirring speeches that Ms Leigh described as deeply inspiring.
These included religious reflections by Jelly Roll, political statements by Lady Gaga, and a powerful call for fair financial recognition for songwriters by multi-Grammy winner Amy Allen.
The experience has provided a significant creative spark for the Bairnsdale local, who is preparing for a landmark year in her own career.
“I’ve left feeling incredibly inspired about the future of the arts,” Ms Leigh reflected.
“I’m excited for the creative adventures ahead.”
Gippsland audiences can expect to see the fruits of this inspiration soon, with Ms Leigh set to release new music, her first book, and a short film later this year.
