The 2026 American Music Awards (AMA) recently wrapped up, airing on Memorial Day (May 25) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Queen Latifah returned to host the 52nd AMAs, having co-hosted the show in 1995 with Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan.

BTS took home the top prize of the night, artist of the year, and they also accepted song of the summer for “Swim” – the Billboard Hot 100-topping lead single from their comeback album ARIRANG – and opened the show with a performance of “Hooligan.” Following the show, BTS also was announced as the best male K-pop artist winner. The South Korean septet also presented SZA with the prize for best female R&B artist.

Sombr accepted two prizes onstage durng the night: best rock/alternative song for “Back to Friends” and best rock/alternative album for I Hardly Knew Her. The AMAs announced after the show that he also won breakthrough rock/alternative artist. The hitmaker also made his AMAs performance debut, singing his song “Homewrecker” as rain poured down on him.

In another top win, the singing voices of HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters – EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI – won the award for song of the year for their eight-week Hot 100 topper “Golden.” EJAE and AMI were on hand to accept the award in Las Vegas. After the show, “Golden” was announced as best pop song and best vocal performance as well, while KPop Demon Hunters took best soundtrack.

Taylor Swift – the top winner in the history of the American Music Awards, with 40 trophies – led the nominations for the 2026 AMAs with eight nods, but left empty-handed. Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter and sombr were runners-up with seven nods. Alex Warren and Lady Gaga each received six nods.

Winners' List:
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
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
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