Dua Lipa Says Women 'Really Stepped Up' This Year After She Wins Best New Artist at 2019 Grammys

Dua Lipa (new) rules the Grammys! The singer just took home the trophy for best new artist.

Lipa was nominated among a slew of other female singers including Chloe x Halle, H.E.R., Margo Price, Bebe Rexha and Jorja Smith.

“I guess where I want to begin is by saying how honored I am to be nominated among so many incredible female artists,” Lipa, 23, said while accepting her first Grammy. “I guess this year we’ve really stepped up.”

Her statement was interpreted to be a dig at outgoing Recording Academy president Neil Portnow, who in 2018 responded to criticism that the show’s winners were overwhelmingly male by saying, “It has to begin with women who have the creativity in their hearts and souls, who want to be musicians, who want to be engineers, producers, and want to be part of the industry on the executive level. [They need] to step up because I think they would be welcome.”

Lipa also thanked her fans and her team, and then used her speech to attempt to inspire others.

“For anyone that hasn’t realized how special they are to have a different story, a different background, a name that honors their roots because they just want to be normal whatever the hell that means, just know that no matter where you’re from or your background or what you believe in, never let that get in the way of you and your dreams because you deserve it,” she said.

“And I’m proof that you can do whatever you put your mind to. However hard you work, I really believe in it and I believe in you and thank you so much,” she concluded.

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The singer expanded on her comments backstage, telling reporters, “First of all, being in the New Artists category and having so many female artists nominated is a big change, and it’s the change that we hope to see for many years to come.”

“It’s a big difference from the previous years and I feel so grateful to be a part of the nominations when they came out on December 7, I believe, and to see so many women on it – I was like this is amazing,” she continued. “They’re artists that I love and admire, and I’m so glad to be able to share that with them.”

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As for inspiring others, the singer said her last comments were meant “for everyone who felt that they had a different background or a different story, that they didn’t feel special even though they had a name that honored their roots because they just wanted to be normal – whatever the hell that means – that no matter what you do or where you’re from or what you’re background is, don’t let that get in the way of you and your dreams.”

Her hit “Electricity” was also up for best dance recording and Dua Lipa is gearing up to release new music, as she told reporters.

“I’m working on trying to finish my album, which is almost done. You’ll be hearing from me soon,” she said.

“TWO NOMINATIONS TWO GRAMMY NOMINATIONS IM SO HAPPY BUT I CANT STOP CRYING I CANT BELIEVE IT!!!!” the British-born singer tweeted in December upon learning of her nominations.

Aside from “New Rules,” Lipa also found charts success in the U.S. with “One Kiss” and “IDAGF.”

The 61st Annual Grammy Awards are broadcasting live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on CBS.