2026 K-LOVE Fan Awards: Female Artist of the Year Nominees

From opening stadium dates for Morgan Wallen to singing the national anthem at the Artemis II launch, Anne Wilson has been warmly embraced by fans to the moon and back. The three-time K-LOVE Fan Award recipient unveiled her third studio set, “Stars,” in October. She’s on the verge of wrapping a substantial headlining tour in support of the project, an effort that cemented her massive crossover appeal with the same country grit that defined its predecessor. That album, “REBEL,” titles the Kentucky native’s next book, out June 9. Meanwhile, Wilson is currently nominated in the Book Impact category for her devotional, “Hey Girl.”

Blanca returned to radio this year with “I’m Yours,” an enduring, truth-filled duet with California-bred singer-songwriter Ryan Ellis. It’s a track that appears on her latest studio endeavor, “Full Bloom,” a collection of vulnerable pop that finds the songstress healing after a painful divorce and the loss of both of her parents. Alongside a storied history in CCM that includes a starting stint in GMA Dove Award-winning outfit Group 1 Crew, Blanca is a rising name in Latin music, thanks to a steady stream of mainstream crossover collaborations. Moreover, the multilingual powerhouse hosts the introspective “Taste of Grace” podcast with friend and makeup artist Dorka Jones.

Last year, CeCe Winans won her first, and only, K-LOVE Fan Award to date for Female Artist of the Year. Whether or not the legendary vocalist keeps the title in 2026 remains in the hands of fans; but either way, the always gracious Winans holds a special place in the hearts of listeners. Her golden voice continues to garner attention and praise every time she opens her mouth. Her latest single, “Come Jesus Come,” recently picked up both a GMA Dove Award and a GRAMMY® Award. This summer, she’ll take her “More Than This Tour” international; and in the fall, she’ll headline a multi-artist bill on the “COME WORSHIP! Tour,” featuring special guests like Terrian and Charity Gayle.

Emerson Day’s first-ever K-LOVE Fan Awards nominations arrive in a pack of three with both a Song of the Year and Breakout Single nod accompanying her Female Artist of the Year honor. Day’s searing debut single, “Get Behind Me,” fuels the trio of entries. The Maryland native fuses elements of country, rock and worship with an unmistakable rasp that listeners have swiftly embraced. She spent the first quarter of the year introducing audiences to her original music on Winter Jam, followed by spring dates with Micah Tyler, with whom she previously recorded a version of Tyler’s “People Like Us.” Day, who has called North Carolina home for more than a decade, recently announced she is pregnant with her first child.

Hope Darst joins the Female Artist of the Year ranks this year courtesy of her authoritative anthem, “Mighty Name Of Jesus.” Adding troubadour Josh Baldwin to the selection also garnered her a 2026 Worship Song of the Year nomination. The soaring original became the title cut of her inaugural live album, “In The Mighty Name.” This spring, Darst has been on tour with Cochren & Co., where the powerful prayer has become the centerpiece of her live set. When she’s not on the road, the mother of two can be found leading worship at The Belonging Co, her family’s home church in Nashville, Tennessee.

As an emerging voice, Jamie MacDonald has experienced a meteoric rise. Her 2026 Female Artist of the Year nomination is proof her rapid success wasn’t a fluke. In fact, MacDonald might just be the most buzzed-about new artist in recent memory. Starting her career as a backup vocalist, session singer and behind-the-scenes songwriter, MacDonald bowed her 16-track self-titled debut in January. She’s been supporting both Tauren Wells and Phil Wickham on tour this spring. Her sophomore single and second consecutive No. 1, “Left It In The River,” will also vie for Song of the Year.

Previous K-LOVE Fan Award winner Katy Nichole unveiled her highly anticipated sophomore studio endeavor, “Honest Conversations,” late last summer. Since then, the acclaimed singer-songwriter has gone on to acquire a No. 1 in “Have Your Way,” for which she traveled to Ireland to film a picturesque music video. Following a massive run on Winter Jam in the first quarter of 2026, Nichole launched her headlining “Honest Conversations Tour” with special guest Claire Leslie. The spunky 20-something is slated to play the sold-out “K-LOVE Live at Red Rocks” Aug. 5, 2026.

Nine-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner Lauren Daigle has claimed the Female Artist of the Year title six times. Her 2026 nomination arrives on the wings of her latest No. 1 single, “Let It Be A Hallelujah,” a vault track she pulled straight from the archives and recorded in honor of the decade that’s passed since the release of her debut LP. In recent months, Daigle has been teasing the prospect of new music with snaps from the studio shared across her social platforms. The songstress will co-host the K-LOVE Fan Awards for the first time on May 24 with fellow Louisiana native Sadie Robertson Huff.

After winning Breakout Single in 2025 for “Still Waters (Psalm 23),” Leanna Crawford returns to the Female Artist category for the second year in a row. Following another win at the GMA Dove Awards for New Artist of the Year, the Washington state native launched her female-focused “Sisterhood Tour” with two of her peers: vocal powerhouse Riley Clemmons and up-and-comer Madison Watkins. The chart-topping songstress is part of the lineup for the 2026 Kickoff Concert, which will open the K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend. Next up, Crawford will release her sophomore album, “Thank God,” July 24, 2026.

Terrian makes a 2026 appearance in the Female Artist bracket thanks to the singular power found in her latest radio single, “Testimony,” which the Memphis native originally recorded for Angel Studios’ docuseries, “Miracle.” Aside from its visual counterpart, “Testimony” stands on its own as a universally resonant anthem — one elevated even further when Terrian recorded a version with CeCe Winans. The former TobyMac backup singer recently made her acting debut in K-LOVE On Demand’s original feature film, “Virgin Birth.” She’ll join Steven Curtis Chapman and friends for the annual Songwriters Showcase, taking place Saturday evening during the K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend.