And that’s a wrap for the 2026 American Music Awards, which aired on the 25th of May from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Artists Who Led the Night

BTS took home the top prize of the evening, artist of the year, while also snagging song of the summer for “Swim”, the Billboard Hot 100-topping lead single from their comeback album ARIRANG. The group opened the show with an energetic performance of “Hooligan” and later took the stage to present SZA with her award for favorite female R&B artist.

Additionally, alternative hitmaker sombr accepted two trophies for favorite rock/alternative artist. He also made his AMAs performance debut, delivering a dramatic rendition of his track “Homewrecker” as artificial rain poured down on him.

In other major wins, the singing voices of HUNTR/X from the K-pop project Demon Hunters-EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, won song of the year for their eight-week Hot 100 chart-topper, “Golden”. EJAE and REI AMI were both on hand in Las Vegas to accept the honor. Following the main broadcast, “Golden” was also named best pop song and best vocal performance, while K-Pop Demon Hunters walked away with best soundtrack.

Tyla Shines at the AMAs

South African sensation Tyla also secured a major win during the ceremony, taking home the trophy for social song of the year for her hit track “Chanel”. The song beat out stiff competition from the likes of Zara Larsson, PinkPantheress, and Tinashe. “Chanel” was also nominated for best music video, capping off a massive night for the star as she continues her dominant run on the global music scene.

Snubs and Nominations

Taylor Swift, the most-awarded artist in AMA history with 40 trophies, entered the night as the top nominee with eight nods. In a surprising twist, however, she walked away with zero awards. Other highly nominated artists included Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and sombr, who were all runners-up with seven nominations each, while Alex Warren and Lady Gaga followed closely with six nods apiece.

Hosts and Winners List

The legendary Queen Latifah hosted the 52nd AMAs, marking her return to the role after previously co-hosting the ceremony in 1995 alongside Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan. Below is the full list of nominees and winners from the genre-neutral categories. Enjoy!

Genre-Neutral Categories

Artist of the Year

• Bad Bunny
• Bruno Mars
• WINNER: BTS
• Harry Styles
• Justin Bieber
• Kendrick Lamar
• Lady Gaga
• Morgan Wallen
• Sabrina Carpenter
• Taylor Swift

New Artist of the Year

• Alex Warren
• Ella Langley
• WINNER: KATSEYE
• Leon Thomas
• Olivia Dean
• sombr

Album of the Year

• Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?
• Fuerza Regida – 111xpantia
• Justin Bieber – SWAG
• Lady Gaga – Mayhem
• Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem
• Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
• Playboi Carti – MUSIC
• WINNER: Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
• Tate McRae – So Close to What
• Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl

Song of the Year

• Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
• Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
• WINNER: HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
• Kehlani – “Folded”
• Leon Thomas – “MUTT”
• Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem”
• Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
• sombr – “back to friends”
• Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”

Collaboration of the Year

• BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman – “All the Way”
• David Guetta, Teddy Swims, Tones And I – “Gone Gone Gone”
• Morgan Wallen, Tate McRae – “What I Want”
• WINNER: PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
• Shaboozey, Jelly Roll – “Amen”

Social Song of the Year

• Disco Lines, Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”
• PinkPantheress – “Illegal”
• Role Model – “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”
• WINNER: Tyla – “CHANEL”
• Zara Larsson – “Lush Life”

Best Music Video

• WINNER: KATSEYE – “Gnarly”
• ROSALÍA, Björk, Yves Tumor – “Berghain”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
• Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
• Tyla – “CHANEL”

Best Soundtrack

• F1 The Album
• Hazbin Hotel: Season Two
• WINNER: K-Pop Demon Hunters
• Wicked: For Good
• Charli xcx – Wuthering Heights

Tour of the Year

• Beyoncé – “Cowboy Carter Tour”
• Kendrick Lamar, SZA – “Grand National Tour”
• Lady Gaga – “The Mayhem Ball”
• Oasis – “Oasis Live ‘25 Tour”
• WINNER: Shakira – “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour”

Breakout Tour (New Category)

• WINNER: Benson Boone – “American Heart World Tour”
• Kali Uchis – “The Sincerely, Tour”
• The Marías – “Submarine Tour”
• Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay? Tour”
• Sleep Token – “Even in Arcadia Tour”

Breakthrough Album of the Year (New Category)

• Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
• sombr – I Barely Know Her
• WINNER: Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun

Best Throwback Song (New Category)

• 4 Non Blondes – “What’s Up”
• WINNER: Black Eyed Peas – “Rock That Body”
• Goo Goo Dolls – “Iris”

Best Vocal Performance (New Category)

• Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
• WINNER: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
• Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
• RAYE – “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
• Sienna Spiro – “Die on this Hill”

Song of the Summer (New Category)

• Alex Warren – “FEVER DREAM”
• Bella Kay – “iloveitiloveitiloveit”
• WINNER: BTS – “SWIM”
• Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
• Harry Styles – “American Girls”
• Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide”
• PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
• sombr – “Homewrecker”
• Tame Impala, JENNIE – “Dracula”
• Taylor Swift – “Elizabeth Taylor”