Las Vegas, a city famous for its glitz and spectacle, played host to the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) on May 25, 2026, as the MGM Grand Garden Arena welcomed a constellation of music’s brightest stars for a night packed with surprises, triumphs, and a few upsets. The annual celebration, which aired live on Memorial Day, was expertly steered by Queen Latifah, marking her return as host after co-helming the show back in 1995. From the red carpet’s parade of celebrities and influencers to the headline-grabbing wins and show-stopping performances, this year’s AMAs offered plenty to talk about.
The anticipation was palpable as the red carpet unfurled, with early arrivals including popular podcast host Hannah Berner, Summer House’s Jesse Solomon and Mia Calabrese, and Love Island USA stars Amaya Espinal, Jana Craig, and Chelley Bissainthe. Reality TV was well represented, too, with Lisa Barlow from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Jesse Draper of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives making appearances. According to Deadline, the event’s guest list read like a who’s who of pop culture, featuring everyone from comedians like Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias and Nikki Glaser to music icons such as John Legend, Hilary Duff, and Jason Derulo.
As the ceremony kicked off, the crowd was treated to a high-energy opening performance by BTS, who set the tone for the night with their new single “Hooligan.” The South Korean superstars didn’t just light up the stage—they also dominated the awards, scooping up the coveted Artist of the Year and Song of the Summer for “Swim,” the lead single from their comeback album ARIRANG. Their winning streak didn’t stop there: BTS also walked away with Best Male K-pop Artist and had the honor of presenting SZA with the Best Female R&B Artist trophy, as noted by Billboard.
The night was filled with memorable performances from a diverse lineup. Billy Idol, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, delivered a rousing set, while Karol G—this year’s International Artist Award of Excellence recipient—brought Latin flair to the stage. Other performers included Hootie & the Blowfish, Katseye, Keith Urban, Maluma, The Pussycat Dolls alongside Busta Rhymes, Riley Green, Sombr, Teddy Swims, Teyana Taylor, and Twenty One Pilots, creating a musical tapestry that spanned genres and generations.
Sombr emerged as one of the evening’s breakout stars, clinching Best Rock/Alternative Song for “Back to Friends,” Best Rock/Alternative Album for I Hardly Knew Her, and the title of Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist. His performance of “Homewrecker”—delivered as rain poured down on stage—was a visual and emotional highlight, underscoring his meteoric rise. As Billboard reported, Sombr’s triple win marked a major milestone for the artist, who had entered the night with seven nominations.
Another standout moment came courtesy of HUNTR/X—the trio of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI—whose song “Golden” not only took home Song of the Year, but also Best Pop Song and Best Vocal Performance. The track, which spent eight weeks atop the Hot 100, was a clear favorite, and the group’s acceptance speech in Las Vegas was met with thunderous applause. Their success extended to the world of soundtracks, as KPop Demon Hunters snagged the award for Best Soundtrack, further cementing the influence of Korean pop music on the global stage.
Despite entering the night as the most-nominated artist, Taylor Swift—already the most decorated AMA winner in history with 40 trophies—found herself shut out of the winners’ circle. Swift led the pack with eight nominations, closely followed by Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and Sombr, each with seven. Alex Warren and Lady Gaga also had strong showings, earning six nods apiece. Yet, as Deadline highlighted, the night belonged to a new crop of talent, signaling a generational shift in the music industry’s upper echelons.
The full winners’ list showcased the breadth of contemporary music. Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend was named Album of the Year and Best Pop Album, while she also took home Best Female Pop Artist. Justin Bieber claimed Best Male Pop Artist, and KATSEYE emerged as New Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Pop Artist. In the country categories, Morgan Wallen and Ella Langley were recognized as Best Male and Female Country Artists, respectively, while Megan Moroney’s Cloud 9 won Best Country Album.
Cardi B reaffirmed her dominance in hip-hop, winning Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Hip-Hop Song for “ErrTime,” and Best Hip-Hop Album for AM I THE DRAMA? Kendrick Lamar was awarded Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, and Monaleo was named Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist. In R&B, Bruno Mars took home Best Male Artist, Best R&B Song for “I Just Might,” and Best R&B Album for The Romantic, while SZA secured Best Female R&B Artist.
Latin music was also celebrated, with Bad Bunny winning Best Male Latin Artist and Best Latin Song for “NUEVAYoL,” and Shakira earning Best Female Latin Artist. Karol G’s Tropicoqueta was named Best Latin Album, and Fuerza Regida won Best Latin Duo or Group. The international flair continued with Tyla winning Best Afrobeats Artist and BTS and TWICE taking home Best Male and Female K-pop Artist awards, respectively.
Touring acts were not forgotten, as Shakira’s “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour” was awarded Tour of the Year, and Benson Boone’s “American Heart World Tour” was recognized as the year’s Breakout Tour. The AMAs even tipped their hat to nostalgia with a new Best Throwback Song category, which went to Black Eyed Peas for “Rock That Body.”
As the night drew to a close, the sense of celebration was palpable. Queen Latifah’s charismatic hosting, paired with a seamless flow of performances and heartfelt acceptance speeches, made for a show that balanced tradition with innovation. The 2026 AMAs not only honored the biggest names in music but also spotlighted the industry’s evolving landscape, where global influences and fresh voices are increasingly taking center stage.
For fans and artists alike, the 52nd American Music Awards delivered a night to remember—one that captured the energy, diversity, and unifying power of music in a way only Las Vegas could.