LOS ANGELES – May 25, 2026 – It was a big night for first-time nominees at the 52nd American Music Awards! KATSEYE and SOMBR were among those leading the pack, taking home three trophies each, in addition to delivering two of the most buzzworthy performances of the show. Sabrina Carpenter was also recognized by fans with three awards – her first AMA wins ever – for Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist, and Best Pop Album. BTS, who made a special live appearance at the show to the delight of the fans, now have fourteen wins to their name, adding three this year for Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, and Best Male K-Pop Artist. Bruno Mars still has that 24K touch, taking home three awards for Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album. And speaking of gold, The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI continued their breakout year with their first AMA wins for Song of the Year, Best Vocal Performance, and Best Pop Song. EJAE added to that with a win for Best Soundtrack for “KPop Demon Hunters.”
As one of music’s most anticipated nights of the year, the 52nd American Music Awards returned to CBS and Paramount+* to honor the most influential artists and songs of today alongside unforgettable performances and special moments in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music. The star-studded special kicked off summer with host Queen Latifah live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the largest venue in the show’s history.
52ND AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS 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, 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 CATEGORIES
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
COUNTRY CATEGORIES
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
HIP-HOP CATEGORIES
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 CATEGORIES
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
LATIN CATEGORIES
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
ROCK CATEGORIES
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/ELECTRONIC CATEGORIES
Best Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta
K-POP CATEGORIES
Best Male K-Pop Artist: BTS
Best Female K-Pop Artist: TWICE
AFROBEATS CATEGORIES
Best Afrobeats Artist: Tyla
AMERICANA/FOLK CATEGORIES
Best Americana/Folk Artist: Noah Kahan
