BTS and Sabrina Carpenter dominated the American Music Awards 2026, which wrapped up on Memorial Day at Las Vegas's MGM Grand Garden Arena.
BTS clinched the top prize of Artist of the Year, and also took home Best Male K-pop Artist, and Song of the Summer for their hit single "Swim" off their comeback album ARIRANG.
The global sensations also opened the night by performing "Hooligan" and later presented SZA with the award for Best Female R&B Artist.
Meanwhile, Carpenter swept the pop categories, winning Best Female Pop Artist, while her record “Man's Best Friend” claimed both Album of the Year and Best Pop Album.
The award for Song of the Year went to "Golden" by the singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI. The track also picked up Best Pop Song and Best Vocal Performance honours, while KPop Demon Hunters won Best Soundtrack.
Also read: Oscars 2026: Jessie Buckley wins best actress
Cardi B dominated the hip-hop categories, winning Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Hip-Hop Song for "ErrTime," and Best Hip-Hop Album for AM I THE DRAMA?”. Kendrick Lamar won Best Male Hip-Hop Artist.
In R&B, Bruno Mars won Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song for "I Just Might," and Best R&B Album for “The Romantic”.
Singer-songwriter Sombr had a breakthrough night, winning Best Rock/ Alternative Song for "Back to Friends" and Best Rock/ Alternative Album for “I Barely Know Her”. He also made his AMAs performance debut with "Homewrecker."
Despite leading the nominations with eight nods, Taylor Swift left the ceremony without a win. Swift remains the most awarded artist in AMAs history with 40 trophies.
The 52nd edition of the awards show was hosted by Queen Latifah, who had previously co-hosted the event in 1995 alongside Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan.
Among other notable winners, Justin Bieber won Best Male Pop Artist, while KATSEYE was named New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for "Gnarly," and Breakthrough Pop Artist.
Latin music honours were led by Bad Bunny, who won Best Male Latin Artist and Best Latin Song for "NUEVAYoL," while KAROL G took home Best Latin Album for “Tropicoqueta” and Shakira won Best Female Latin Artist and Tour of the Year for her "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour."
In K-pop categories, TWICE won Best Female K-pop Artist, while BTS secured the male category honour.
Tyla won both Social Song of the Year for "CHANEL" and Best Afrobeats Artist, while Noah Kahan received the inaugural Best Americana/ Folk Artist award.
LIST OF WINNERS:
Artist of the Year: BTS
New Artist of the Year: KATSEYE
Album of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter for Man's Best Friend
Song of the Year: "Golden" by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI
Collaboration of the Year: "Stateside" by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson
Social Song of the Year: "CHANEL" by Tyla
Best Music Video: "Gnarly" by KATSEYE
Best Soundtrack: KPop Demon Hunters
Tour of the Year: Shakira for "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour"
Breakout Tour: Benson Boone for "American Heart World Tour"
Breakthrough Album of the Year: Zara Larsson for Midnight Sun
Best Throwback Song: "Rock That Body" by Black Eyed Peas
Best Vocal Performance: "Golden" by HUNTR/X vocalists
Song of the Summer: "SWIM" by BTS
Best Male Pop Artist: Justin Bieber
Best Female Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
Breakthrough Pop Artist: KATSEYE
Best Pop Song: "Golden" by HUNTR/ X vocalists
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