In a world where true artistry yearns for raw storytelling, Durand Bernarr stands out as a reminder that authenticity can be an inspiration. Fresh off his GRAMMY win, he’s been on a roll, continuing to do the work and be the change he wants to see. From the stage to partnering with Smirnoff, who touched down in San Francisco for the Super Bowl, Bernarr celebrated the advancement of the LGBTQ community in sports, featuring performances from him, Young Miko and Ruby Ibarra.
As he prepares for the next phase of his creative journey with the continuation of his album BLOOM, he emphasizes that this is just the beginning for him. “The next step for me creatively is the continuation of BLOOM, so it won’t be a deluxe edition, but rather another iteration of the era,” he shared with EBONY.
Bernarr reflects on his journey as an independent artist, a heartfelt creator, and more during a recent conversation with EBONY. He opened up about the profound meaning behind his artistry, his commitment to advocacy and the incredible support from his father that has captured hearts online.
EBONY: Congratulations on your first GRAMMY win! How does it feel to receive such recognition for your work, and what does this award mean to you personally?
Durand Bernarr: It feels surreal because this was a labor of love, an open love letter to my friends who have become my family, and personally, I’m grateful that I can do this. I’m still an independent artist and can still do what I’m doing. i.e., still doing background and still offering support where needed and where I can.
You performed at GLAAD’s A Night of Pride recently. What does it mean to you to be part of an event that champions LGBTQ inclusion in sports and entertainment?
It means that I’m so dope that I can be in spaces that would otherwise be catered to a certain group of people, and they’re like, ‘No, what you do, your energy and spirit, we need that in the space, and that, to me is very gratifying.
Can you share why your partnership with Smirnoff and GLAAD is so meaningful to you?
The fact that you can take a very tasty beverage and also a space where I can fully be my unadulterated self, I mean, which is anywhere but a specific space, where it is, catered for us, and it’s meaningful because they’re advocating for the parts of us that did not have advocacy, when we were coming up, so now we can be our true selves.
Your father has been a trending topic on the timeline for his support of your GRAMMY win. How has it been to see how you and your father are inspiring others?
It genuinely warms my heart to get reports from people that are being inspired to come out to their families, or my favorite, parents saying, ‘I want my child to speak that highly of me, I want to make sure that I’m doing for my child just a fraction of that.’ That is something I’ve already known: the world needed to see how my parents love and support me. To see it this way, on this platform, and to receive the honor that I have, I’m so happy for everyone whose lives this is going to change in such a beautiful way.
As we continue to advocate for inclusion and celebrate the future of LGBTQ representation in sports. What progress have you seen, and what changes would you still like to see?
I feel like the changes I would want to see are the ones I would have to be. Not to say there haven’t been changes, but I think if we’re talking about specific ones, maybe seeing two [LGBTQ members] as sports commentators, think that would be an absolute Ki. But outside of that, hell give Colin Kaepernick his things, please. That’s where we can start. That’s the change we can see.
Me: you have a Grammy award winning son now…
Twin: and don’t you forget it!
: @latishamariee pic.twitter.com/lhgJVePeyD
— Yo’ Favorite GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING Cousin (@durandbernarr) February 5, 2026
For fans and young LGBTQ artists looking up to you, what advice would you give about authenticity, resilience and finding your voice in the industry?
Definitely have people around you that can bring the best out of you while also trusting them to guide you in ways that you might not have vision for, and that could be literally your friend right next to you. It’s not always going to be easy. I know people get frustrated because they’ve been doing something for 10 or 15 years, and it can be a slow burn, but a slow burn is the consistency.
Consistency is very important because you don’t know what’s going to take off. The internet is there at our fingertips, and yes, it is hard to break through when there’s so much out there, but that’s why it’s important to be consistent and also to whatever it is that you’re doing, make that so dope that they can’t deny you, and you only have the recipe for that.