The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards were a true celebration of musical excellence, with Taylor Swift stealing the spotlight. The 35-year-old pop sensation garnered an astounding nine awards, including the esteemed Artist of the Year, during the ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 17, 2025.
Although Swift could not attend the event in person, she made her presence felt through a pre-recorded emotional acceptance speech, particularly honoring her "Tour of the Century" award, which acknowledged the historic success of The Eras Tour. Reflecting on her journey, Swift admitted, "It was the most difficult experience of my life but also the most rewarding." Her triumphs didn't stop there—she was also recognized in fan-voted categories, such as Favourite Surprise Guest for bringing out her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, at Wembley Stadium, as well as for Favourite Tour Tradition due to her unforgettable surprise songs.
SZA also made headlines by winning the R'n'B Artist of the Year award for the third consecutive year, highlighting her unwavering popularity in the music industry. Meanwhile, Billie Eilish’s album Hit Me Hard and Soft claimed the Album of the Year award, further emphasizing the broad range of talent celebrated that night. The Innovator Award was presented to Lady Gaga, honoring her significant contributions to the music world, while Mariah Carey received the prestigious Icon Award, further solidifying her legendary status.
Here’s a complete look at some of the notable winners from the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards:
- Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
- Album of the Year: Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish
- Song of the Year: Beautiful Things – Benson Boone
- Best Collaboration: Die With a Smile – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
- Pop Song of the Year: Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
- Pop Artist of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter
- Best New Artist (Pop): Teddy Swims
- Breakthrough Artist of the Year: Gracie Abrams
- Favourite Surprise Guest: Taylor Swift bringing out Travis Kelce
- Favourite Tour Tradition: Taylor Swift – Surprise songs
The night was not just for awards; it was marked by incredible performances from artists across various genres, including Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Kenny Chesney, Muni Long, and Nelly, making the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards a spectacular celebration of music and talent.
This year’s event was particularly competitive, with Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen leading the nominations, each securing ten nods. Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, and Sabrina Carpenter also made their mark with numerous nominations. The excitement for fans and attendees was palpable as artists took to the stage, delivering electrifying performances and heartfelt tributes.
In a memorable moment, Nelly was honored with the Landmark Award but had an unexpected interruption during his acceptance speech, as the broadcast cut to a commercial break. Fans managed to catch only a glimpse of his gratitude expressed in a brief exclamation, "wow!" This incident sparked conversation on social media, but it didn't overshadow Nelly's impressive performance of hits like "Hot in Herre" and "Country Grammar" during the live ceremony.
Ashanti, Nelly’s wife, joined him onstage to present the award. Ashanti reminisced about Nelly’s journey, stating he helped shaped a cultural movement within hip-hop. This year marked a sentimental milestone for the couple, who welcomed their baby boy, Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, on July 18, 2024. After rekindling their romance in early 2023, the couple married on December 27.
Other notable awards included:
- Breakthrough Artist of the Year: Gracie Abrams
- Popular Album of the Year: The Tortured Poets Department – Taylor Swift
- Pop Song of the Year: Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
- Best New Artist (Country): Shaboozey
- Country Song of the Year: I Had Some Help – Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
- Best New Artist (Hip-Hop): BossMan Dlow
- Dance Artist of the Year: David Guetta
- K-pop Artist of the Year: ATEEZ
Ultimately, the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards successfully celebrated not only the artists who dominate music today but also their ability to connect with audiences in profound ways. From honoring legends to shining a spotlight on new talent, this year's event was a testament to the vibrant and ever-evolving music landscape. As fans reflect on the incredible moments from the show, they are reminded of the power of music to unite and inspire.
Fans eagerly await what the next year holds for the music industry, especially with the iconic Taylor Swift leading the charge. The bar has been set high, and the anticipation for next year's awards is already building!
