The 52nd American Music Awards aired live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, on CBS and Paramount+. The show broadcast from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Queen Latifah returned as host for the first time in more than 30 years. She opened the evening by noting that 2026 marked the highest fan vote total in the show’s history. The night produced a mix of returning champions and first-time winners. Several artists walked away with three trophies each.
BTS leads the night with 3 wins and a live appearance
BTS extended their AMA dominance, bringing their all-time total to 14 wins. They claimed Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer for “SWIM” and Best Male K-Pop Artist. Their live appearance added a homecoming dimension to the evening. The group made its U.S. television debut at the 2017 AMAs as the first Korean group to perform on the show. Furthermore, their opening performance of “Hooligan” from their album ARIRANG set an energetic tone for the entire broadcast.
Sabrina Carpenter claims her first AMA wins
Sabrina Carpenter took home three trophies on the night. Notably, all three were her first AMA wins ever. She won Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist and Best Pop Album, all for Man’s Best Friend. Her sweep of the pop categories reflected a breakthrough year that clearly resonated with fans voting across all platforms.
Bruno Mars sweeps R&B, Cardi B takes hip-hop
Bruno Mars collected three awards in the R&B categories. Specifically, he won Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song for “I Just Might” and Best R&B Album for The Romantic. Cardi B, meanwhile, swept the hip-hop categories entirely. She took Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Hip-Hop Song for “ErrTime” and Best Hip-Hop Album for AM I THE DRAMA?
KATSEYE and SOMBR make strong first impressions
KATSEYE arrived as first-time nominees and left with three trophies. They won New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for “Gnarly” and Breakthrough Pop Artist. Their performance of “PINKY UP” was among the night’s most energetic moments. Similarly, SOMBR claimed three awards as well. He won Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist, Best Rock/Alternative Song for “back to friends” and Best Rock/Alternative Album for I Barely Know Her. His debut AMA performance, delivered in the rain, also generated significant buzz.
EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami win Song of the Year
The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X — comprising EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami — won Song of the Year, Best Vocal Performance and Best Pop Song, all for “Golden.” EJAE additionally took home a fourth individual win, claiming Best Soundtrack for KPop Demon Hunters.
Special honors and standout stage moments
Billy Idol received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He then performed his first-ever AMAs set, delivering a medley that included “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing with Myself.” KAROL G received the International Artist Award of Excellence and performed “Ivonny Bonita” before accepting her honor.
Darius Rucker received the Veterans Voice Award from USAA’s Honor Through Action. The recognition acknowledged his long-standing support of military organizations, including his work with the Military Warriors Support Foundation. Through that partnership, he helped provide more than 20 mortgage-free homes to veterans. He has also performed on multiple overseas USO tours throughout his career.
Memorable performances from across the lineup
Hootie and the Blowfish returned 30 years after their 1996 AMA win, performing “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You.” The Pussycat Dolls made a highly anticipated comeback with a medley featuring Busta Rhymes. Additionally, Teyana Taylor performed a medley that included a surprise appearance from Missy Elliott. Other performances came from Keith Urban, Maluma, New Kids on the Block, Riley Green, Teddy Swims and Twenty One Pilots.
General category winners
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 and 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”
Pop, country and hip-hop winners
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?
R&B, Latin and rock winners
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
Dance, K-Pop, Afrobeats, Americana and special awards
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 Lifetime Achievement Award: Billy Idol International Artist Award of Excellence: KAROL G Veterans Voice Award: Darius Rucker
Source: Dick Clark Productions / TheAMAs.com
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