Beyoncé on What Grammys Album of the Year Win Means to Her: '25 Years of Working Really Hard'

Beyoncé says it felt “very surreal” to finally add an Album of the Year win to her roster of dozens of Grammys.

As we reported Sunday night, Cowboy Carter, the second entry in a presumed trilogy from the 35-time Grammy winner, did indeed take home the AOTY trophy at the 2025 ceremony. Also contending in the night’s biggest category were acclaimed albums from Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift, and more.

Speaking with Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight shortly after the win, Beyoncé was asked about the reaction to her long-awaited victory, both from those in the press room and among other artists.

“It’s very surreal,” she said, as seen in the video below. “It’s been 25 years of just working really hard and trying my best to keep growing and keep opening up doors. So I’m just very honored, very honored. I’m happy that my daughter got to see that. … I’m so happy that she was here. And Rumi, who was on the album, my youngest daughter, she was watching. I forgot to thank her so I get to thank her now.”

Frazier then asked Beyoncé about the impact she had on key artists she chose to feature on the album, specifically Rhiannon Giddens, whose banjo and viola playing is heard on “Texas Hold ‘Em.” Beyoncé pointed to the “deep history” of the banjo, noting that she feels “honored” to have the opportunity to use her platform to highlight its significance.

“The banjo has a deep history, and I just feel honored to reintroduce some of that history that I think has been lost and very honored that I got the response and the open heart and people welcomed the album,” she said. “The love I got from the country community tonight really made me feel so seen. I’m very grateful.”

See more from Beyoncé above, including her hopes for country music at large moving forward.

Beyoncé led Sunday night’s nominations with 11 total nods, ultimately adding three wins for a new career total of 35. In addition to Album of the Year, she also won Best country Duo/Group Performance alongside Miley Cyrus for "II Most Wanted" and Best Country Album.

See here for a look at more of this year's winners.

Next for Beyoncé is a tour in support of Cowboy Carter, details of which arrived Monday morning. As for that trilogy, fans previously speculated that Beyoncé could be taking a similarly history-minded approach with rock music on her next album. Fans have named Brittany Howard, Playboi Carti, blink-182, and Hayley Williams as artists they'd love to hear Beyoncé working with in this realm.