It was a big night for first-time nominees at the 52nd American Music Awards! KATSEYE and SOMBR were among those leading the pack, taking home three trophies each, in addition to delivering two of the most buzzworthy performances of the show. Sabrina Carpenter was also recognized by fans with three awards – her first AMA wins ever – for Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist, and Best Pop Album. BTS, who made a special live appearance at the show to the delight of the fans, now have fourteen wins to their name, adding three this year for Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, and Best Male K-Pop Artist. Bruno Mars still has that 24K touch, taking home three awards for Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album. And speaking of gold, The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI continued their breakout year with their first AMA wins for Song of the Year, Best Vocal Performance, and Best Pop Song. EJAE added to that with a win for Best Soundtrack for “KPop Demon Hunters.”

The star-studded special kicked off summer with host Queen Latifah live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the largest venue in the show’s history, aired live coast to coast 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on the CBS Television Network, and streamed live on Paramount+ in the U.S.*

Show highlights included:

  • Queen Latifah returned as host for the first time in more than 30 years. She kicked off the show by highlighting the star power in the room, and announcing that this year’s show saw the most fan votes received ever.
  • BTS opened the show with a performance of “Hooligan” from their smash album ARIRANG.
  • Rock legend Billy Idol was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his incomparable career, body of work, and unparalleled contributions to music, honoring his lasting legacy and continued influence on generations of artists and fans.  He delivered a showstopping medley of some of his biggest hits – his first AMAs performance ever – including “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without A Face,” and “Dancing with Myself;”
  • Groundbreaking global music superstar and American Music Award winner KAROL G received the International Artist Award of Excellence, and delivered an intimate performance of “Ivonny Bonita” before accepting the honor with a heartfelt speech;
  • Thirty years after winning the American Music Award for Pop/Rock New Artist in 1996 Hootie & the Blowfish returned to the AMAs stage to deliver a nostalgic performance of two of their fan favorites, “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You;”
  • First-time AMA winners KATSEYE had fans on their feet with a performance of their latest hit, “PINKY UP;”
  • Keith Urban got everyone ready for the season with a performance of “Summer Breeze” from his upcoming Yacht Rock album Flow State;
  • Maluma returned to the AMAs stage with a performance of “Tu recuerdo,” from his latest project Loco x Volver;
  • New Kids on the Block brought the Vegas strip inside the arena, with a performance of “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” showing off their iconic dance moves;
  • Riley Green made his AMA performance debut with a performance of “Worst Way;”
  • Seven-time nominee and three-time winner SOMBR also made his AMA performance debut with an electric, rain-soaked performance of his hit song “Homewrecker;”
  • Teddy Swims brought his incredible vocals to the stage with a performance of his latest single, “Mr. Know It All;”
  • Following a remarkable award-season run for One Battle After Another, first-time AMA nominee Teyana Taylor delivered an out of this world medley of “All Of Your Heart” and “Open Invite” which included a special intergalactic appearance from Missy Elliott;
  • The Pussycat Dolls made their highly-anticipated return to the AMAs stage with a medley of some of their biggest hits including “Buttons,” “When I Grow Up,” “Club Song,” and “Don’t Cha” featuring a special guest appearance by hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes;
  • Twenty One Pilots performed the moving fan favorite “Drag Path;”
  • The show celebrated Memorial Day with several heartfelt tributes to our men and women in uniform, many of whom were in the audience:
  • Darius Rucker received the Veterans Voice Award Presented by USAA’s Honor Through Action. The award recognizes artists who use their platforms to make meaningful, lasting change in the lives of those who served. Throughout his career, Rucker has consistently championed those who serve through his long-time support of military organizations and through his music.

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

See more at www.theamas.com