BTS Wins Artist of the Year at 2026 American Music Awards

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs) celebrated some of the biggest names in music on Monday night, with BTS emerging as one of the evening’s biggest winners by taking home the top prize of Artist of the Year.

As reported by Billboard, the awards ceremony was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and aired live on Memorial Day, May 25. BTS also won Song of the Summer for their Billboard Hot 100-topping single “Swim,” the lead track from their comeback album ARIRANG.

The South Korean group opened the show with a performance of “Hooligan” and later returned to the stage to present SZA with the award for Best Female R&B Artist. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the appearance marked BTS’ first awards-show appearance in four years.

Hosted by Queen Latifah, the 52nd edition of the AMAs featured performances from a wide range of artists, including Billy Idol, Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes, KATSEYE, New Kids on the Block, Keith Urban, and Twenty One Pilots.

One of the night’s standout moments came when the singing voices behind the animated group HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters won Song of the Year for “Golden,” which spent eight weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart. EJAE and REI AMI were present to accept the award alongside Audrey Nuna.

Alternative artist sombr also had a strong showing at the AMAs. He won Best Rock/Alternative Song for “Back to Friends” and Best Rock/Alternative Album for I Hardly Knew Her. Billboard later confirmed he additionally received the Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist award.

Sombr also delivered his AMAs performance debut with an intense rendition of “Homewrecker,” featuring flashing lights and simulated rainfall onstage.

Meanwhile, Taylor Swift entered the ceremony as the most-nominated artist with eight nods. The singer remains the most-awarded artist in American Music Awards history, with 40 trophies overall.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that fan voting once again determined all AMA winners this year.

Other notable moments included a reunion performance by the Black Eyed Peas, with former member Fergie joining will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo onstage after the group won Best Throwback Song for “Rock That Body.”

Latin music star Karol G also received the International Artist Award of Excellence, presented by John Legend.

The 2026 American Music Awards aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, continuing one of the music industry’s longest-running fan-voted award traditions.

Find the full winners list below:

Artist of the year

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

New artist of the year

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

Breakthrough country artist

• WINNER: Sam Barber
• Tucker Wetmore
• Zach Top

Song of the summer

• WINNER: BTS, "SWIM"
• Alex Warren, "FEVER DREAM"
• Bella Kay, "iloveitiloveitiloveit"
• 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"

Best rock/alternative album

• WINNER: sombr, "I Barely Know Her"
• Sleep Token, "Even In Arcadia"
• Tame Impala, "Deadbeat"
• Twenty One Pilots, "Breach"
• Zach Bryan, "With Heaven On Top"

Best female R&B artist

• WINNER: SZA
• Kehlani
• Summer Walker
• Teyana Taylor
• Tyla

Best throwback song

• WINNER: Black Eyed Peas, "Rock That Body"
• 4 Non Blondes, "What's Up"
• Goo Goo Dolls, "Iris"

Best Latin album

• WINNER: KAROL G, "Tropicoqueta"
• Fuerza Regida, "111xpantia"
• Neton Vega, "Mi Vida Mi Muerte"
• Peso Pluma, Tito Double P, "DINASTIA"
• ROSALIA, "Lux"

Breakthrough R&B artist

• WINNER: Leon Thomas
• Mariah the Scientist
• Ravyn Lenae

Best rock/alternative artist

• WINNER: Twenty One Pilots
• Deftones
• Linkin Park
• The Marias
• Sleep Token

Song of the year

• WINNER: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, "Golden"
• Alex Warren, "Ordinary"
• Ella Langley, "Choosin’ Texas"
• 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"

Best rock/alternative song

• WINNER: sombr, "back to friends"
• Noah Kahan, "The Great Divide"
• Linkin Park, "Up From The Bottom"
• Sublime, "Ensenada"
• Tame Impala, JENNIE, "Dracula"

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"
• Sabrina Carpenter, "Man’s Best Friend"
• Tate McRae, "So Close To What"
• Taylor Swift, "The Life of a Showgirl"

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"
• 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"
• Tyla, "CHANEL"
• Zara Larsson, "Lush Life"

Best music video

• KATSEYE, "Gnarly"
• ROSALIA, Bjork, Yves Tumor, "Berghain"
• Sabrina Carpenter, "Manchild"
• Taylor Swift, "The Fate of Ophelia"
• Tyla, "CHANEL"

Best soundtrack

• F1 The Album
• Hazbin Hotel: Season Two
• KPop Demon Hunters
• Wicked: For Good
• Charli xcx, "Wuthering Heights"

Tour of the year

• Beyonce, "Cowboy Carter Tour"
• Kendrick Lamar, SZA, "Grand National Tour"
• Lady Gaga, "The Mayhem Ball"
• Oasis, "Oasis Live ‘25 Tour"
• Shakira, "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour"

Breakout tour

• Benson Boone, "American Heart World Tour"
• Kali Uchis, "The Sincerely, Tour"
• The Marias, "Submarine Tour"
• Megan Moroney, "Am I Okay? Tour"
• Sleep Token, "Even in Arcadia Tour"

Breakthrough album of the year

• Olivia Dean, "The Art of Loving"
• sombr, "I Barely Know Her"
• Zara Larsson, "Midnight Sun"

Best vocal performance

• Alex Warren, "Ordinary"
• 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"

Best male pop artist

• Alex Warren
• Benson Boone
• Ed Sheeran
• Harry Styles
• Justin Bieber

Best female pop artist

• Lady Gaga
• Olivia Dean
• Sabrina Carpenter
• Tate McRae
• Taylor Swift

Breakthrough pop artist

• KATSEYE
• SIENNA SPIRO
• Zara Larsson

Best pop song

• Alex Warren, "Ordinary"
• The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, "Golden"
• Olivia Dean, "Man I Need"
• Sabrina Carpenter, "Manchild"
• Taylor Swift, "The Fate of Ophelia"

Best pop album

• Lady Gaga, "Mayhem"
• Olivia Dean, "The Art of Loving"
• Sabrina Carpenter, "Man’s Best Friend"
• Tate McRae, "So Close To What"
• Taylor Swift, "The Life of a Showgirl"

Best male country artist

• Jelly Roll
• Luke Combs
• Morgan Wallen
• Riley Green
• Shaboozey

Best female country artist

• Ella Langley
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Lainey Wilson
• Megan Moroney
• Miranda Lambert

Best country duo or group

• Brooks & Dunn
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
• Treaty Oak Revival
• Zac Brown Band

Best country song

• BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman, "All The Way"
• Ella Langley, "Choosin’ Texas"
• Morgan Wallen, "Just In Case"
• Russell Dickerson, "Happen To Me"
• Shaboozey, "Good News"

Best country album

• BigXthaPlug, "I Hope You’re Happy"
• Megan Moroney, "Cloud 9"
• Morgan Wallen, "I’m The Problem"
• Sam Barber, "Restless Mind"
• Tucker Wetmore, "What Not To"

Best male hip-hop artist

• Don Toliver
• Kendrick Lamar
• Playboi Carti
• Tyler, The Creator
• YoungBoy Never Broke Again

Best female hip-hop artist

• Cardi B
• Doechii
• GloRilla
• Sexyy Red
• YKNIECE

Breakthrough hip-hop artist

• EsDeeKid
• Monaleo
• PLUTO

Best hip-hop song

• Cardi B, "ErrTime"
• Drake, "NOKIA"
• Gunna, Burna Boy, "wgft"
• Playboi Carti, The Weeknd, "Rather Lie"
• YKNIECE, Quavo, Metro Boomin, Breskii, "Take Me Thru Dere"

Best hip-hop album

• Cardi B, "AM I THE DRAMA?"
• Don Toliver, "OCTANE"
• Gunna, "The Last Wun"
• Playboi Carti, "MUSIC"
• YoungBoy Never Broke Again, "MASA"

Best male R&B artist

• Bruno Mars
• Chris Brown
• Daniel Caesar
• PARTYNEXTDOOR
• The Weeknd

Best R&B song

• Bruno Mars, "I Just Might"
• Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller, "It Depends"
• Kehlani, "Folded"
• Leon Thomas, "MUTT"
• Mariah the Scientist, "BURNING BLUE"

Best R&B album

• Bruno Mars, "The Romantic"
• Justin Bieber, "SWAG"
• Leon Thomas, "MUTT"
• Mariah the Scientist, "HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY"
• Summer Walker, "Finally Over It"

Best male Latin artist

• Bad Bunny
• Junior H
• Peso Pluma
• Rauw Alejandro
• Tito Double P

Best female Latin artist

• Gloria Estefan
• KAROL G
• Natti Natasha
• ROSALIA
• Shakira

Best Latin duo or group

• Clave Especial
• Fuerza Regida
• Grupo Firme
• Grupo Frontera
• Julion Alvarez y su Norteno Banda

Breakthrough Latin artist

• Beele
• Kapo
• Neton Vega

Best Latin song

• Bad Bunny, "NUEVAYoL"
• benny blanco, Selena Gomez, The Marias, "Ojos Tristes"
• Fuerza Regida, "Marlboro Rojo"
• Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera, "ME JALO"
• KAROL G, "LATINA FOREVA"

Breakthrough rock/alternative artist

• Geese
• Gigi Perez
• sombr

Best dance/electronic artist

• Calvin Harris
• David Guetta
• Fred again..
• ILLENIUM
• John Summit

Best male K-Pop artist

• ATEEZ
• BTS
• ENHYPEN
• Stray Kids
• TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Best female K-Pop artist

• aespa
• BLACKPINK
• ILLIT
• LE SSERAFIM
• TWICE

Best Afrobeats artist

• Burna Boy
• MOLIY
• Rema
• Tyla
• Wizkid

Best Americana/folk artist

• Lord Huron
• The Lumineers
• Mumford & Sons
• Noah Kahan
• Tyler Childers

Read: Performers and Presenters for 2026 American Music Awards Revealed

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