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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Music and Concerts devider BTS tops 2026 AMAs while Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Mars and HUNTR/X score major wins

BTS tops 2026 AMAs while Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Mars and HUNTR/X score major wins

Published May 26, 2026 04:03 pm

At A Glance

  • BTS emerged as the biggest winner at the 52nd American Music Awards, taking home Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, and Best Male K-Pop Artist. Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Mars, and HUNTR/X also scored major victories across pop, R&B, and song categories, while Taylor Swift went home empty-handed despite leading the nominations with eight nods.

The 52nd edition of the American Music Awards belonged to BTS, who emerged as the night’s biggest winners after taking home Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer for “Swim,” and Best Male K-Pop Artist.

Another standout winner was “Golden” by the fictional K-pop act HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters, with vocalists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami winning Song of the Year, Best Pop Song, and Best Vocal Performance.

Despite entering the night as the most nominated artist with eight nods, Taylor Swift failed to secure a single trophy — a rare shutout for the AMAs’ most-awarded artist of all time with 40 career wins.

Other major winners included Sabrina Carpenter, who won Album of the Year and Best Female Pop Artist, Cardi B, who ruled the hip-hop categories, and Bruno Mars, who swept the R&B field.

Hosted by Queen Latifah, the ceremony celebrated a year where K-pop and crossover global acts once again proved their massive influence on the international music scene.

Complete winners list:

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 — HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, "Golden"
Collaboration of the Year — PinkPantheress and 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 — 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 — 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"

Other Genre Categories

Best Dance/Electronic Artist — David Guetta

Best Male K-Pop Artist — BTS
Best Female K-Pop Artist — TWICE
Best Afrobeats Artist — Tyla
Best Americana/Folk Artist — Noah Kahan

Related Tags

2026 AMAs American Music Awards BTS Sabrina Carpenter Bruno Mars HUNTR/X Taylor Swift Golden Swim Demon Hunters AMA winners
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