Fil-Am Darren Criss nabs first Grammy nomination, two awards closer to EGOT title

Exciting news from the music world! Filipino-American talent Darren Criss has just earned his very first Grammy Award nomination, bringing him tantalizingly close to achieving the coveted EGOT status. This prestigious acknowledgment from the Recording Academy recognizes his incredible work as a vocalist/performer for the original Broadway cast recording of "Maybe Happy Ending" in the Best Musical Theater Album category.

Criss's journey towards EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) is truly inspiring. He previously bagged a Primetime Emmy Award in 2018 for his role in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story," and most recently, a Tony Award in 2025 for his lead role as Oliver in "Maybe Happy Ending." A proud son of a Cebuana, Darren also made history in 2019 as the first Fil-Am to win a Golden Globe. His nominated musical, "Maybe Happy Ending," is a critically acclaimed show that swept six Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.

The Grammy nominations didn't stop there for Filipino-American artists! Marco Paguia, another exceptional talent, also received a nod in the Best Musical Theater Album category for the original Broadway cast recording of "Buena Vista Social Club." This comes after his historic win in June (presumably 2025, based on the article's date), where he became the first Filipino and Asian to win a Tony for Best Orchestrations, alongside a special Tony as part of the "Buena Vista Social Club" band.

Adding to this wave of Filipino pride is Sophia Laforteza, who gained her first Grammy recognition as a member and leader of the burgeoning global girl group KATSEYE. The group secured two significant nominations: Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, a testament to their rapid rise in the music industry.

Sophia's path to global stardom is equally compelling. She was the sole Filipina to triumph in HYBE and Geffen Records’ "The Debut: Dream Academy" reality show in 2023, forming KATSEYE which officially debuted in June 2024. Known for their hits like "Debut" and "Gnarly," the group also claimed the 2025 VMA Push Performance of the Year. Sophia is the daughter of beloved singer-actress Carla Guevara and Resort’s World executive chef Godfrey Laforteza.