The 2026 American Music Awards, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 25, delivered a night of surprising ties and notable omissions. Seven acts tied for the most awards with three each: Bruno Mars, BTS, Cardi B, KATSEYE, Sabrina Carpenter, HUNTR/X, and Sombr. But the biggest story of the evening was Taylor Swift, who led the nominations with eight nods but failed to win a single award.
Despite the disappointing result, Swift remains the most decorated artist in AMA history with 40 career wins. Her shutout on this night underscored the unpredictable nature of fan-voted awards, where viewer engagement and streaming data shape outcomes. Swift's absence from the winner's circle was balanced by historic wins for other artists, particularly K-pop supergroup BTS.
BTS Shines with Artist of the Year
BTS won Artist of the Year for the second time, having first taken the prize in 2021. They now tie Justin Bieber and One Direction with two wins each in the category, and match One Direction as the group with the most wins in the category. Swift leads all artists with seven Artist of the Year victories, but BTS's achievement marks a significant milestone for K-pop on a global stage. The group also won Song of the Summer for “Swim” and Best Male K-Pop Artist, bringing their career AMA tally to 14. Among groups or duos, BTS trails only Alabama, who won 23 AMAs. Their three wins tie them for the most on the night, a testament to their enduring popularity and dedicated fanbase.
Taylor Swift's Unprecedented Shutout
Entering the night with eight nominations—more than any other artist—Swift was expected to add to her already record-breaking AMA collection. Instead, she left empty-handed. This marked the first time since 2014 that Swift failed to win an AMA when nominated in the fan-voted ceremony. The results surprised many industry observers, especially given Swift's massive commercial success over the past year with her “The Tortured Poets Department” era and sold-out Eras Tour. However, the AMAs base nominees on fan interactions including streaming, sales, radio airplay, and tour grosses, which may have shifted toward newer acts in the eligibility period from March 2025 to March 2026. Swift's 0-for-8 showing joins similar shutouts for Olivia Dean (7 nods), Warren, and Lady Gaga (6 nods each).
Other Multi-Winners: Mars, Cardi B, Carpenter, KATSEYE, HUNTR/X, and Sombr
Bruno Mars continued his legacy, winning Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album. His career AMA total now stands at 22, placing him among the top male winners. Cardi B took home Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Hip-Hop Song, and Best Hip-Hop Album, proving her staying power in a competitive genre. Sabrina Carpenter won Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist, and Best Pop Album, illustrating her rise as a mainstream pop force.
KATSEYE, the global girl group, won New Artist of the Year, marking the seventh consecutive female act to win the category. Their win followed a loss at the Grammys for Best New Artist. KATSEYE also took Best Music Video and Breakthrough Pop Artist. HUNTR/X’s “Golden” won Song of the Year, continuing its award-season sweep that included a Grammy and Oscar. HUNTR/X also won Best Vocal Performance and Best Pop Song. Sombr surprised many by winning Best Rock/Alternative Song (“Back to Friends”), Best Rock/Alternative Album (“I Barely Know Her”), and Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist. Despite the album only reaching No. 10 on the Billboard 200, its smash single with universal appeal proved stronger than higher-charting competitors.
Key Wins in Other Categories
Justin Bieber won Best Male Pop Artist, bringing his career AMA total to 19, tying Kenny Rogers for second-most among male artists behind Michael Jackson (24). Bieber is now the living male artist with the most AMA wins. Twenty One Pilots won Best Rock/Alternative Artist for the second consecutive year and fourth time overall, second only to Linkin Park’s six wins. Karol G’s “Tropicoqueta” won Best Latin Album, beating Rosalía’s “Lux,” and she also received the International Artist Award of Excellence. The Black Eyed Peas’ “Rock That Body” won in the new Best Throwback Song category, beating 4 Non Blondes and Goo Dolls.
Historical Context of the AMAs
Created by legendary producer Dick Clark, the American Music Awards have been fan-voted since their inception in 1974. The 52nd edition was hosted by Queen Latifah and aired on CBS and Paramount+. Nominees are determined by key fan interactions tracked by Billboard and Luminate over a one-year period. The AMAs have historically celebrated a wide range of genres, from pop and hip-hop to Latin and rock, and this year’s diverse winners reflect the evolving musical landscape. With K-pop, Latin, and breakout indie acts sharing the stage, the 2026 AMAs highlighted the power of dedicated fandoms and the growing influence of international music.
Source: Billboard News