{"id":1189,"date":"2026-02-28T20:00:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T20:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/2026\/02\/durand-bernar-glaad-grammys\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T20:00:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T20:00:40","slug":"durand-bernar-glaad-grammys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/2026\/02\/durand-bernar-glaad-grammys\/","title":{"rendered":"Soulful Supernova Durand Bernar Says His Price Went Up After His Grammy, GLAAD-ly Reflects On \u2018A Night Of Pride\u2019 [Exclusive]"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Fresh off his first Grammy win for Best Progressive R&B Album, Durand Bernarr<\/a> is stepping into a new chapter of his career with the confidence of an artist who knows exactly who he is and the impact that comes with it.<\/p>\n

A Night of Pride\" with GLAAD
Source: Rich Polk \/ Getty Images for GLAAD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When asked what it feels like to officially add \u201cGrammy winner\u201d to his name, Bernarr summed up the moment with a phrase that captures both the humor and the reality of his current whirlwind.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt feels like yesterday\u2019s price is not today\u2019s price,\u201d he told BOSSIP\u2019s Lauryn Bass<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s the best way I can describe it, because there\u2019s too much going on right now. I can\u2019t sit still and be alone with my thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Moving The Genre Forward While Honoring Its Roots<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Winning in the Progressive R&B category carries a specific meaning for Bernarr, who views the label less as a box and more as a direction.<\/p>\n

\"Durand
Source: Maya Imani \/ @mayaiman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

\u201cIt means moving forward, figuring out what other ways that we can tell a story in a specific genre, while also still respecting the foundation that has been laid, and then where we can take it,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of like a passing of the baton. So yeah, moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The win brought both emotional relief and a shift in how he sees his own place in the industry.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI did have a little bit of relief validation, like, \u2018Oh wow. This can happen. This is a reality,\u2019\u201d Bernarr said. \u201cAnd it also did shift, because I\u2019m seeing the beauty in me being myself, me staying true to myself, finding ways to hone that and tailor it so that it is me, and that made room for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Durand
Source: Maya Imani \/ @mayaiman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Reflecting on his journey, he added that his path into the industry has never felt traditional.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI literally came through the back door of the industry. I genuinely feel like I came bust through the back door,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I also had keys, I just wasn\u2019t using them at the same time. But this time I was like, \u2018No, I got something for y\u2019all.\u2019 I just used my foot.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Bringing Queer Artistry Into Traditionally Masculine Spaces<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Bernarr recently performed at GLAAD\u2019s A Night of Pride during football\u2019s biggest weekend, a cultural space often associated with traditional masculinity. For the singer, showing up authentically in that arena is non-negotiable.<\/p>\n

\"Durand
Source: Maya Imani \/ @mayaiman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

\u201cIt feels like it\u2019s one of those, like, \u2018Who gonna check me?\u2019 Like I\u2019m here,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m going to make noise. I\u2019m not here to shy away from anything I\u2019m feeling. I\u2019m full of joy. I\u2019m full of audacity. And I\u2019m here to share that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

While he recognizes that visibility does not mean universal acceptance, he remains focused on representing in the best way he can.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI also understand that everything isn\u2019t for everybody. However, if I\u2019m going to represent, then I\u2019m going to represent the best way that I can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

When asked about LGBTQ inclusion in sports spaces, Bernarr leaned into humor while imagining what that visibility could look like.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cCould you imagine two Judys being sportscasters? Because I would love to do it,\u201d he joked. \u201cJust make sure we got our french toast and mimosas. Oh look at him throwing that ball. You better catch it. He missed it. Yep. You know, I don\u2019t miss no bass, child. It\u2019ll be funny.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Aligning With Brands That Show Up For The Community<\/strong><\/h3>\n

His partnership with Smirnoff for the event felt natural, he said, because of the company\u2019s longstanding support for LGBTQ audiences.<\/p>\n

\"Durand
Source: Maya Imani \/ @mayaiman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

\u201cFirst and foremost, Smirnoff has always provided a good time at the club,\u201d Bernarr said with a laugh. \u201cEspecially when I\u2019m feeling the mood for a little bit of vodka. A little screwdriver, if you\u2019re nasty. But also that they have been very supportive of the LGBTQ plus community. To be aligned with a business that is also considering us is important.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Balancing Authenticity With Responsibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While Bernarr initially focused solely on being himself as an artist, he now recognizes the broader influence he carries.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhen I first started, it was important that I focus on myself,\u201d he said. \u201cNow I see that there is a responsibility for me, because my voice and the things that I say hold weight.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He pointed to his NPR Tiny Desk performance as a moment that revealed how his visibility can inspire others.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWhen I did Tiny Desk, it was about me. But afterwards, it was about everyone else that looks like me, that acts like me, that\u2019s like, \u2018Wow, if he can do that, so can I.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

That realization shapes how he approaches his platform today.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI want to make my people proud,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to make people who have felt the things that I felt proud, and to see that there is peace of mind on the other side of what it is that you\u2019re going through.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

What Queer Joy Looks Like And What Comes Next<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For Bernarr, queer joy is not abstract. It is visible, embodied, and already on display.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cJust watch my acceptance speech,\u201d he said. \u201cWatch me running down that aisle, watch me cutting up on the red carpet, watch me having my father come into the interviews expressing his joy and his pride. That is what queer joy looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Night of Pride\" with GLAAD
Source: Rich Polk \/ Getty Images for GLAAD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Now, with a Grammy secured and his visibility growing, Bernarr says the immediate future is both busy and well-deserved.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cA nap,\u201d he joked when asked what is next. \u201cI mean, I\u2019m already gonna be here and there and everywhere. Talk shows, podcasts, interviews. It\u2019s coming down the pipeline. I\u2019m looking forward to the world knowing what I know, and that is, I\u2019m amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

This Grammy moment is not just for Bernarr, but for all R&B lovers who are excited for the genre\u2019s future. With joy leading the way, Bernarr\u2019s next chapter looks bold, brilliant and unmistakably his.<\/p>\n

\n
A Night of Pride\" with GLAAD
Rich Polk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
A Night of Pride\" with GLAAD
Rich Polk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
A Night of Pride\" with GLAAD
Rich Polk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
A Night of Pride\" with GLAAD
Rich Polk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
A Night of Pride\" with GLAAD
Rich Polk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
A Night of Pride\" with GLAAD
Rich Polk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The post Soulful Supernova Durand Bernar Says His Price Went Up After His Grammy, GLAAD-ly Reflects On \u2018A Night Of Pride\u2019 [Exclusive]<\/a> appeared first on Bossip<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fresh off his first Grammy win for Best Progressive R&B Album, Durand Bernarr is stepping into a new chapter of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14044,"featured_media":1725,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,6],"tags":[10,9],"class_list":["post-1189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-rss","tag-culture","tag-hip-hop"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14044"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1189"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1189\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westcoastaftershock.com\/wca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}