The 52nd American Music Awards delivered a night defined by breakthrough wins, major fan moments, and unforgettable performances as music’s biggest stars gathered at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Airing live on CBS and Paramount+, the annual celebration brought together artists across genres and generations for one of the most anticipated nights in music, with Queen Latifah leading the festivities as host.
Among the evening’s biggest stories were the first-time nominees who dominated the ceremony. KATSEYE and SOMBR emerged as standout winners, each taking home three awards while also delivering two of the night’s most talked-about performances. KATSEYE scored victories for New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video, and Breakthrough Pop Artist, cementing their breakout status on one of music’s grandest stages. SOMBR, one of the night’s most nominated artists, swept the rock and alternative categories with wins for Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist, Best Rock/Alternative Song, and Best Rock/Alternative Album.
Sabrina Carpenter also celebrated a milestone evening with her first American Music Award wins ever. The singer earned fan-voted honors for Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist, and Best Pop Album, marking a major career moment during a year already filled with chart success and global attention.
The crowd erupted when BTS made a special live appearance during the broadcast, marking a homecoming moment for the global superstars. The group famously made their U.S. television performance debut at the 2017 American Music Awards as the first Korean act to perform on the show. Now fourteen-time AMA winners, BTS added three more trophies to their legacy with wins for Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, and Best Male K-Pop Artist.
Bruno Mars once again proved his staying power, collecting three awards for Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album. Meanwhile, The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI continued their breakout run with their first AMA victories for Song of the Year, Best Vocal Performance, and Best Pop Song. EJAE also earned an additional win for Best Soundtrack for “KPop Demon Hunters.”
The night also celebrated a wave of fresh talent, with additional first-time winners including Leon Thomas, PinkPantheress, Noah Kahan, Sam Barber, and more.
Throughout the ceremony, a star-studded lineup of presenters kept the energy high, including Alysa Liu, Anthony Ramos, Busta Rhymes, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, GloRilla, Hilary Duff, Jason Derulo, John Legend, Lisa Rinna, Ludacris, Nikki Glaser, Paula Abdul, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, and many others.
Returning bigger than ever, the 52nd American Music Awards transformed Las Vegas into the center of the music world for a night that celebrated fan favorites, rising stars, and legendary artists alike.
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
