Rockmommy.com
[Los Angeles, CA – February, 1st, 2026]
In a world where dazzling legacies and chart-topping hits dominate the red carpet, sometimes the most powerful and memorable stories are the quietest. One of these moments rests in the hands of the mother-daughter duo Joanie Leeds and Joya. Nominated for Best Children’s Album for their project “Ageless: 100 Years Young,” Leeds returns to the awards, with ten-year-old daughter and collaborator Joya making her first appearance.
“I am so excited, and I understand this is a huge opportunity, and I’m here for every part of it,” Joya reflected on the experience.
For Leeds, a veteran of the children’s music world with countless albums to her name, the project wasn’t originally produced for release. Around three years ago, Leeds began recording interviews with her grandmother, who had recently turned 100, hoping to document her story. What started as a personal project quickly grew after Joya asked to be on her mom’s next album. The exchange between mother and daughter quickly transformed into more.
Leeds began to shift her view of songwriting over the years. Rather than crafting songs solely for her voice, she began gravitating toward duets and shared narratives. “Ageless: 100 Years Young” is artistically a product of multi-generational storytelling. It became a bridge between the past and the present. The project paved the road to the pair’s future success.
On the carpet, Joya spoke with an ease that made it hard to believe the star was only 10 years old. Rather than feeling overshadowed by her mother, the two worked collaboratively.
The emotional core of the album comes through lived experience. It takes a break from the playfulness associated with children’s music and emphasizes the importance of family. “It really brings us together even more than it already has been,” Joya said confidently. One of the most meaningful moments was when they recorded Joya’s vocals on Mother’s Day. This underlined how deep the two’s connection truly is.
Leeds stated, “I’m a single mom, so we’re together a lot, one on one, and it’s really amazing to be like the mom and do the mom things, but then being able to do this and work together is like a dream come true.”
Leeds previously won a Grammy during the pandemic, but this is her first time fully experiencing the Grammy Awards in person. For Joya, it’s her first time altogether. Regardless of tonight’s outcome, their journey testifies to the strength of family bonds.
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