Bruno Mars, BTS, Sabrina Carpenter and KATSEYE Lead a Historic Night of Triple Wins at the 52nd American Music Awards

The 52nd American Music Awards was a momentous occasion for first-time winners, with KATSEYE and SOMBR receiving three awards apiece and delivering some of the night’s most memorable performances. First-time winners, Sabrina Carpenter received three awards as well, with her first-ever AMA wins in Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist, and Best Pop Album. BTS, who made a surprise live performance, brought their win total up to fourteen with their three awards in Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, and Best Male K-Pop Artist. Bruno Mars maintained his 24K streak by winning three awards in Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album. The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI had an incredible year, earning their first-ever AMA awards in Song of the Year, Best Vocal Performance, and Best Pop Song, respectively, with EJAE’s award also including Best Soundtrack for “KPop Demon Hunters.”

Among music’s biggest annual events, the 52nd American Music Awards returned to CBS and Paramount+ to honor today’s most impactful musical acts, unforgettable moments, and top hits in a genre-defying, generational celebration. Headlined by host Queen Latifah, the star-packed event marked the beginning of summer as it took place live at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the largest venue in the history of the AMA show, and aired coast-to-coast at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT on the CBS Television Network.

Show highlights included:

Queen Latifah returned as host for the first time in more than 30 years. She kicked off the show by highlighting the star power in the room and announcing that this year’s show saw the most fan votes received ever.
BTS opened the show with a performance of “Hooligan” from their smash album ARIRANG.
Rock legend Billy Idol was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his incomparable career, body of work, and unparalleled contributions to music, honoring his lasting legacy and continued influence on generations of artists and fans. He delivered a showstopping medley of some of his biggest hits – his first AMAs performance ever – including “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without A Face,” and “Dancing with Myself.”
Groundbreaking global music superstar and American Music Award winner KAROL G received the International Artist Award of Excellence and delivered an intimate performance of “Ivonny Bonita” before accepting the honor with a heartfelt speech.
Thirty years after winning the American Music Award for Pop/Rock New Artist in 1996, Hootie & the Blowfish returned to the AMAs stage to deliver a nostalgic performance of two of their fan favorites, “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You.”
First-time AMA winners KATSEYE had fans on their feet with a performance of their latest hit, “PINKY UP.”
Keith Urban got everyone ready for the season with a performance of “Summer Breeze” from his upcoming Yacht Rock album, Flow State.
Maluma returned to the AMAs stage with a performance of “Tu recuerdo,” from his latest project Loco x Volver.
New Kids on the Block brought the Vegas strip inside the arena, with a performance of “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” showing off their iconic dance moves.
Riley Green made his AMA performance debut with a performance of “Worst Way.”
Seven-time nominee and three-time winner SOMBR also made his AMA performance debut with an electric, rain-soaked performance of his hit song “Homewrecker.”
Teddy Swims brought his incredible vocals to the stage with a performance of his latest single, “Mr. Know It All.”
Following a remarkable award-season run for One Battle After Another, first-time AMA nominee Teyana Taylor delivered an out-of-this-world medley of “All Of Your Heart” and “Open Invite,” which included a special intergalactic appearance from Missy Elliott.
The Pussycat Dolls made their highly anticipated return to the AMAs stage with a medley of some of their biggest hits, including “Buttons,” “When I Grow Up,” “Club Song,” and “Don’t Cha,” featuring a special guest appearance by hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes.
Twenty One Pilots performed the moving fan favorite “Drag Path.”
The show celebrated Memorial Day with several heartfelt tributes to our men and women in uniform, many of whom were in the audience:

Darius Rucker received the Veterans Voice Award, presented by USAA’s Honor Through Action. The award recognizes artists who use their platforms to make meaningful, lasting change in the lives of those who served. Throughout his career, Rucker has consistently championed those who serve through his long-time support of military organizations and through his music.
Broadcast during Military Appreciation Month, the star-studded evening featured special in-show moments celebrating veterans, led by Official Military Appreciation Partner USAA, a leading provider of insurance, banking, and retirement solutions for military members, veterans, and their families. Rucker was recognized on-stage for his longstanding personal commitment to organizations like Military Warriors Support Foundation, with which he helped provide 20+ mortgage-free homes to veterans. Throughout his career, Rucker has also performed on multiple overseas USO tours and at events in support of veterans, including the DoD Warrior Games.
The broadcast also offered viewers a look at USAA’s Poppy Wall of Honor® — returning for its seventh year to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Stretching more than 130 feet, the exhibition’s 600,000+ hand-placed poppies represent every American life lost in the line of duty since World War I, each a quiet act of remembrance for the fallen. Additionally, Gold Star families were in attendance at the AMAs, and U.S. service members and veterans were seated in USAA’s Military Appreciation Section.
This special recognition is part of USAA’s Honor Through Action initiative — a five-year, $500 million commitment to the military community, focused on meaningful careers, financial security, and well-being for veterans and their families.

Winner Highlights of the “52nd American Music Awards”:

Fourteen-time American Music Award winners BTS made a special live appearance, marking a homecoming for the pop royalty, who debuted on U.S. television at the 2017 American Music Awards, becoming the first Korean group to perform on the show. They added to their previous 11 trophies with wins for Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, and Best Male K-Pop Artist.
First-time nominees KATSEYE made their mark with wins for New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video, and Breakthrough Pop Artist.
SOMBR, one of the night’s most nominated artists, also received three awards with wins for Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist, Best Rock/Alternative Song, and Best Rock/Alternative Album.
Sabrina Carpenter took home her first AMA trophies ever for Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist, and Best Pop Album.
The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and 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.”
Other first-time winners include Leon Thomas, PinkPantheress, Noah Kahan, Sam Barber, and more.

Karol G accepts the International Artist Award of Excellence award onstage at The 52nd American Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Lara Raj, Janice Joostema, Yoonchae, Megan Skiendiel and Sophia Laforteza of KATSEYE accept the New Artist of the Year award onstage at The 52nd American Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jungkook, Jin, Jimin, RM, J-Hope, V and Suga of BTS accept the Artist of the Year award onstage at The 52nd American Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rei Ami and Ejae accept the award for Song of the Year for "Golden" onstage at The 52nd American Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Presenters throughout the night included Alysa Liu, Anthony Ramos, Busta Rhymes, EJAE, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, GloRilla, Hannah Berner, Hilary Duff, Jason Derulo, Jake Wood, John Legend, Leon Thomas, Linda Perry, Lisa Rinna, Ludacris, Mariah the Scientist, Matt Rife, Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs, Melanie Martinez, Nikki Glaser, Paula Abdul, REI AMI, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, and more.

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

WINNERS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Bad Bunny (2): Best Male Latin Artist, Best Latin Song

Benson Boone (1): Breakout Tour

Billy Idol (1): Lifetime Achievement Award

Black Eyed Peas (1): Best Throwback Song

Bruno Mars (3): Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Album

BTS (3): Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, Best Male K-Pop Artist

Cardi B (3): Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Hip-Hop Song, Best Hip-Hop Album

Darius Rucker (1): Veterans Voice Award

David Guetta (1): Best Dance/Electronic Artist

Ella Langley (2): Best Female Country Artist, Best Country Song

Fuerza Regida (1): Best Latin Duo or Group

Justin Bieber (1): Best Male Pop Artist

Kapo (1): Breakthrough Latin Artist

KAROL G (2): International Artist Award of Excellence, Best Latin Album

KATSEYE (3): New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video, Breakthrough Pop Artist

Kendrick Lamar (1): Best Male Hip-Hop Artist

KPop Demon Hunters (1): Best Soundtrack

Leon Thomas (1): Breakthrough R&B Artist

Megan Moroney (1): Best Country Album

Monaleo (1): Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist

Morgan Wallen (1): Best Male Country Artist

Noah Kahan (1): Best Americana/Folk Artist

PinkPantheress (1): Collaboration of the Year

Sabrina Carpenter (3): Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist, Best Pop Album

Sam Barber (1): Breakthrough Country Artist

Shakira (2): Best Female Latin Artist, Tour of the Year

The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami (3): Song of the Year, Best Vocal Performance, Best Pop Song

SOMBR (3): Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist, Best Rock/Alternative Song, Best Rock/Alternative Album

SZA (1): Best Female R&B Artist

Twenty One Pilots (1): Best Rock/Alternative Artist

TWICE (1): Best Female K-Pop Artist

Tyla (2): Best Afrobeats Artist, Social Song of the Year

Zac Brown Band (1): Best Country Duo or Group

Zara Larsson (2): Collaboration of the Year, Breakthrough Album of the Year

WINNERS IN NUMERICAL ORDER