3 Cincinnati-born celebs steal the show at the 2026 Grammys

The stars were shining for music’s biggest night at the 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday, including two Cincinnati natives: Nikki Glaser and Regina King.

And although the Cincinnati-born Steven Spielberg didn’t attend the award show, the legendary filmmaker became an EGOT winner after winning his first Grammy as a producer on the documentary “Music by John Williams,” which was named best music film. It also marked Spielberg’s first Grammy nomination in his decades-long career.

In a statement on the Amblin Entertainment Instagram, Spielberg said the Grammy “means the world to me” and added that the win is “deeply meaningful to me because it validates what I have known for over 50 years: John Williams’ influence on culture and music is immeasurable and his artistry and legacy is unrivaled.”

Regina King, Nikki Glaser stun at 2026 Grammys

King and Glaser, both with comedy backgrounds, showed their starpower during the Feb. 1 Grammy Awards.

King, an Oscar-winning actor and director who was born in Cincinnati but grew up in Los Angeles, made a brief cameo during Tyler, the Creator’s performance. She played a motivational store clerk during Tyler’s performance as he moved from his “Chromakopia” era into his “Don’t Tap the Glass” era.

As the rapper headed inside a gas station, he was greeted by King. “And one more thing: If you ever find yourself going back to them old places, you destroy them or they gonna destroy you,” she said.

King sent her first Emmy Award to her hometown of Cincinnati, where her mother and grandmother could watch over it.

Although King was featured in an on-stage performance, Glaser took the Grammys by storm with her own stage presence. The 41-year-old comedian, who recently served as this year’s Golden Globes host, arrived at the award ceremony donning a leggy black latex dress, which landed her on NewBeauty’s “Best Dressed Over 40” list.

The Cincinnati-born comedian, along with Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor, helped announce the winner for Best Pop Vocal Album. The duo captivated the audience as Glaser joked about only being able to read picture books, while noting Taylor has been on fire this award season. The “One Battle After Another” star was also nominated for a Grammy.

Although Glaser was born in the Queen City, she grew up in St. Louis. She started performing stand-up comedy at age 18 and wrote her first jokes in college at the University of Colorado Boulder.