Historic Triple Wins Mark the 52nd American Music Awards
The 52nd American Music Awards, broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 25, 2026, was a night of unprecedented achievements. For the first time in AMA history, multiple artists each collected three awards, with Bruno Mars, BTS, Sabrina Carpenter, KATSEYE, SOMBR, and the collective known as The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami) all joining the exclusive club of triple winners. The event, hosted by Queen Latifah, returned to CBS and Paramount+ and marked the largest venue in AMA history, reflecting the growing scale of the show.
BTS Opens the Show and Makes History
BTS, the Korean pop phenomenon, delivered a surprise live performance of their hit “Hooligan” from their album ARIRANG. This marked a homecoming for the group, who had first performed on U.S. television at the 2017 American Music Awards, becoming the first Korean act to do so. At the 52nd AMAs, BTS added three more trophies to their collection: Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer (for “SWIM”), and Best Male K-Pop Artist. This brought their total AMA wins to fourteen, cementing their legacy as one of the most decorated acts in the show’s history. Their performance was a highlight of the evening, drawing massive cheers from the star-studded audience.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Breakthrough Year
Sabrina Carpenter, who had never won an AMA before, swept three major categories: Album of the Year (for Man’s Best Friend), Best Female Pop Artist, and Best Pop Album. This recognition capped a remarkable career resurgence for Carpenter, who had been releasing music for over a decade but found her biggest success with the album’s blend of introspective lyrics and catchy pop melodies. Industry analysts noted that her wins signal a shift toward more authentic, singer-songwriter-driven pop, as Carpenter’s album was praised for its cohesive storytelling and emotional depth.
KATSEYE and SOMBR: First-Time Winners Shine
KATSEYE, a newly formed girl group that had only debuted the previous year, took home New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video (for “Gnarly”), and Breakthrough Pop Artist. Their energetic performance of “PINKY UP” had the audience on their feet, showcasing their potential to become a dominant force in pop music. Meanwhile, SOMBR, a rock/alternative artist who had been building a cult following, won three awards in his genre categories: Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist, Best Rock/Alternative Song (for “back to friends”), and Best Rock/Alternative Album (for I Barely Know Her). His rain-soaked performance of “Homewrecker” was one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: A New Collective Takes the Spotlight
The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X, a collaborative project featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, also earned three trophies: Song of the Year, Best Vocal Performance, and Best Pop Song—all for their track “Golden.” EJAE additionally won Best Soundtrack for “KPop Demon Hunters.” This collective represents a new wave of genre-blending artists who combine elements of pop, R&B, and electronic music with powerful vocal harmonies.
Lifetime Achievement and International Honors
Rock legend Billy Idol was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his decades-long influence on music. He delivered a medley of his biggest hits—“White Wedding,” “Eyes Without a Face,” and “Dancing with Myself”—his first ever AMA performance. Colombian superstar Karol G received the International Artist Award of Excellence and performed a heartfelt rendition of “Ivonny Bonita.” The awards continue to highlight the AMAs’ commitment to honoring global talent.
Nostalgia and Veterans Tributes
The show also paid tribute to the past, with Hootie & the Blowfish returning to the AMAs stage thirty years after their 1996 New Artist win, performing “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You.” New Kids on the Block, The Pussycat Dolls (featuring a special appearance by Busta Rhymes), and Twenty One Pilots also delivered memorable performances. In a poignant segment, the AMAs honored military service members and veterans. Darius Rucker received the Veterans Voice Award, presented by USAA’s Honor Through Action initiative, for his long-standing support of military organizations. The broadcast also featured a look at the Poppy Wall of Honor in Washington, D.C., which commemorates American service members lost since World War I.
Momentum for First-Time Nominees
Beyond the triple winners, the night was notable for the number of first-time nominees who took home awards. Leon Thomas won Breakthrough R&B Artist; PinkPantheress won Collaboration of the Year (with Zara Larsson for “Stateside”); Noah Kahan won Best Americana/Folk Artist; and Sam Barber won Breakthrough Country Artist. These wins reflect the AMAs’ ongoing effort to highlight emerging talent across all genres.
A Night of Record-Breaking Fan Engagement
As host Queen Latifah announced early in the show, this year’s AMAs received the highest number of fan votes in the event’s history. The live broadcast, which aired coast-to-coast at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT, drew in millions of viewers on CBS and Paramount+, with social media trends dominated by clips of BTS’s opening performance, Carpenter’s emotional acceptance speeches, and the surprise reunion of The Pussycat Dolls. The 52nd American Music Awards successfully celebrated both the past and future of music, setting a new standard for inclusivity, global representation, and fan engagement.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment News