The 52nd American Music Awards were held yesterday, May 25, 2026, hosted by Queen Latifah live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and thanks to the fans, these were the biggest AMAs yet.
The American Music Awards is the biggest fan-voted awards show in the world, honoring the most beloved and influential artists of the past and present and their music with show-stopping performances and big awards, and this year’s wins reflected the most fan votes in the show’s history. The show was broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S., and Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers can now access the full show on demand.
(Image courtesy of the American Music Awards)
This year’s awards kicked off with a special live appearance from BTS, performing “Hooligan” from their viral album ARIRANG. They’re practically AMAs royalty at this point with a cumulative 14 AMA wins after taking home trophies for Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer and Best Male K-Pop Artist in 2026.
(Image courtesy of the American Music Awards)
Next, rock music icon Billy Idol was celebrated with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to music and popular culture. He also took to the stage to perform an unforgettable medley of his most beloved songs, including “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without A Face” and “Dancing with Myself.”
(Image courtesy of the American Music Awards)
The night also took time to honor KAROL G, who won the International Artist Award of Excellence award before performing a gorgeous rendition of “Ivonny Bonita.” Before the end of the night, she also took home the award for Best Latin Album with Tropicoqueta.
(Image courtesy of the American Music Awards)
In another celebration of hits from yesteryear, Hootie & the Blowfish also took the stage, celebrating the 30-year anniversary of their AMA win for American Music Award for Pop/Rock New Artist in 1996. They performed two all-time classics, “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You.”
Then, first-time nominees KATSEYE wowed the crowd with a performance of their new single “PINKY UP.” They also went on to win three AMAs for the categories of New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for “Gnarly” and Breakthrough Pop Artist.
(Image courtesy of the American Music Awards)
More incredible performances followed, from Keith Urban showcasing his new yacht rock sound with “Summer Breeze” from his upcoming Flow State album to Maluma performing “Tu recuerdo” off his new project Loco x Volver. New Kids on the Block gave us another blast from the past with a rendition of their hit song “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” before Riley Green performed at the AMAs for the first time, playing “Worst Way.”
SOMBR was yet another AMA standout in terms of both his stage presence and big wins. His performance of “Homewrecker” was emotionally turbulent—complete with weather effects—and made it apparent why he deserved to win in the categories of Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist, Best Rock/Alternative Song for “back to friends” and Best Rock/Alternative Album for I Barely Know Her.
(Image courtesy of the American Music Awards)
The show went on to deliver more with Teddy Swim’s performing his latest single “Mr. Know It All,” actress and AMA nominee Teyana Taylor giving us a medley of “All Of Your Heart” and “Open Invite,” featuring a powerful appearance from Missy Elliott and The Pussycat Doll’s AMAs return, including a medley of hits “Buttons,” “When I Grow Up,” “Club Song” and “Don’t Cha” featuring Busta Rhymes. Twenty One pilots also appeared for a stunning rendition of “Drag Path” before the show took time to celebrate Memorial Day with various emotional tributes, including honoring Darius Rucker with the Veterans Voice Award Presented by USAA’s Honor Through Action.
Other notable winners included first-time AMA winner Sabrina Carpenter, who took home AMAs for Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist and Best Pop Album and Bruno Mars, who also won three awards for Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song and Best R&B Album. We also loved seeing EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, the singing voices of HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters, win AMAs for Song of the Year, Best Vocal Performance and Best Pop Song, with EJAE also taking home the Best Soundtrack award for KPop Demon Hunters.
(Image courtesy of the American Music Awards)
Check out the full list of winners here:
- Artist of the Year: BTS
- New Artist of the Year: KATSEYE
- Album of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
- Song of the Year: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
- Collaboration of the Year: PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
- Social Song of the Year: Tyla – “CHANEL”
- Best Music Video: KATSEYE – “Gnarly”
- Best Soundtrack: KPop Demon Hunters
- Tour of the Year: Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour
- Breakout Tour: Benson Boone – American Heart World Tour
- Breakthrough Album of the Year: Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun
- Best Throwback Song: Black Eyed Peas – “Rock That Body”
- Best Vocal Performance: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
- Song of the Summer: BTS – “SWIM”
- Best Male Pop Artist: Justin Bieber
- Best Female Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
- Breakthrough Pop Artist: KATSEYE
- Best Pop Song: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
- Best Pop Album: Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
- Best Male Country Artist: Morgan Wallen
- Best Female Country Artist: Ella Langley
- Best Country Duo or Group: Zac Brown Band
- Breakthrough Country Artist: Sam Barber
- Best Country Song: Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- Best Country Album: Megan Moroney – Cloud 9
- Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar
- Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Cardi B
- Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist: Monaleo
- Best Hip-Hop Song: Cardi B – “ErrTime”
- Best Hip-Hop Album: Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?
- Best Male R&B Artist: Bruno Mars
- Best Female R&B Artist: SZA
- Breakthrough R&B Artist: Leon Thomas
- Best R&B Song: Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
- Best R&B Album: Bruno Mars – The Romantic
- Best Male Latin Artist: Bad Bunny
- Best Female Latin Artist: Shakira
- Best Latin Duo or Group: Fuerza Regida
- Breakthrough Latin Artist: Kapo
- Best Latin Song: Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL”
- Best Latin Album: KAROL G – Tropicoqueta
- Best Rock/Alternative Artist: Twenty One Pilots
- Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist: SOMBR
- Best Rock/Alternative Song: SOMBR – “back to friends”
- Best Rock/Alternative Album: SOMBR – I Barely Know Her
- Best Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta
- Best Male K-Pop Artist: BTS
- Best Female K-Pop Artist: TWICE
- Best Afrobeats Artist: Tyla
- Best Americana/Folk Artist: Noah Kahan
