Taylor Swift, winner of the Best Tour award, and Justin Timberlake pose backstage at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio/Turner)
The 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards brought the biggest names in entertainment and fans together from the historic, fabulous Forum in Los Angeles to celebrate all things music live on TBS, TNT and truTV, on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and across the iHeartRadio digital music platform on Sunday.
The fan-fueled 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards brought the music of the iHeartRadio app to life with featured performances and incredible collaborations, including host Jason Derulo, Justin Bieber, ZAYN, Demi Lovato, Chris Brown, Iggy Azalea, Fetty Wap, Meghan Trainor, DNCE, G-Eazy, Bebe Rexha and appearances from Nile Rodgers and Brad Paisley. Plus exclusive special performances by Pitbull and Maroon 5 simulcasted from the Capital One JamFest, which was part of the March Madness Music Festival taking place in Houston, TX, and The Weeknd from The Juno Awards.
U2 received the most prestigious award of the evening the 2016 iHeartRadio Innovator Award. iHeartRadio honored the iconic group for their undeniable impact on the world of popular culture and paid tribute to their unparalleled contributions to the music industry and social causes. Pharrell Williams, musician, entrepreneur and creative force who won the 2014 iHeartRadio Innovator Award, presented Bono and The Edge of U2 with the 2016 award.
Additional highlights included:
• Jason Derulo kicked off the telecast with a dance medley that included a stage dive and running all through the crowd. He later performed his new song “If It Ain’t Love.”
• Justin Bieber gave an amazing performance starting with an acoustic version of “Love Yourself” then performing “Company” in the crowd.
• Meghan Trainor performed her new hit “NO” for the first time on the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards stage.
• Fetty Wap and his crew rode quads and motorcycles inside the Forum to make their way to the stage and gave an amazing performance of his hit single “Again.”
• Demi Lovato gave an emotional performance of her single “Stone Cold” with Brad Paisley accompanying her on guitar.
• Chris Brown got up from his table in the crowd and danced all over the Forum while performing a medley of four hits: “Liquor,” “Back To Sleep,” “Wrist” and “Anyway.”
• DNCE had the crowd on their feet with “Cake By The Ocean and got funky when Nile Rodgers joined them on stage as they shifted into “Le Freak.”
• The Edge and Bono received a standing ovation while accepting the 2016 iHeartRadio Innovator Award. During their heartfelt speech, they dedicated their award to artists around the world who are innovating in very difficult circumstances and noted that one of the most exciting moments of their career was hearing their 2014 single “Song For Someone” on radio stations.
• Iggy Azalea closed out the show complete with a private jet on stage with her new single “Team.”
2 Chainz, Adam Rodriguez, AJ McLean, Alli Simpson, Aloe Blacc, Angela Lanter, Becca Tilley, Bethany Mota, Big Boy, Big Sean, Bobby Bones, Brad Paisley, Calvin Harris, Cheryl Burke, Chris Daughtry, Cody Simpson, Dascha Polanco, Derek Hough, Diane Warren, Diplo, Disturbed, Elvis Duran, Hayes and Nash Grier, Hozier, Iliza Shlesinger, James Maslow, Jhené Aiko, Jordan Fisher, Julianne Hough, Justin Timberlake, Kat Graham, Kayla Brianna Smith, Keke Palmer, Kelly Osbourne, Laura Marano, Major Lazer, Mel B, Mr. Probz, NeNe Leakes, Nick Fradiani, Nicky Jam, Nile Rodgers, Olivia Holt, Omarion, Pete Wentz, Sabrina Carpenter, Selena Gomez, Shahs of Sunset, Shinedown, Sophia Grace, Ta’Rhonda Jones, Trey Songz, Voz de Mando, Walk The Moon, Witney Carson, Wiz Khalifa, Zendaya and more made special guest appearances.
Category winners were:
Song of the Year:
• “Hello” Adele
Female Artist of the Year: (New Category)
• Taylor Swift
Male Artist of the Year: (New Category)
• Justin Bieber
Best New Artist:
• Fetty Wap
Best Duo/Group of the Year: (New Category)
• Maroon 5
Album of the Year: (New Category)
• 1989 – Taylor Swift
Best Tour: (New Category)
• Taylor Swift
Alternative Rock Artist of the Year: (New Category)
• Twenty One Pilots
Alternative Rock Song of the Year:
• “Stressed Out” – Twenty One Pilots
Rock Artist of the Year: (New Category)
• Foo Fighters
Rock Song of the Year: (New Category)
• “Heavy Is The Head” – Zac Brown Band featuring Chris Cornell
Country Song of the Year:
• “Buy Me A Boat” – Chris Janson
Country Artist of the Year: (New Category)
• Luke Bryan
Dance Song of the Year:
• “Where Are Ü Now” – Skrillex & Diplo with Justin Bieber
Dance Artist of the Year: (New Category)
• Calvin Harris
Hip Hop Song of the Year: (New Category)
• “Hotline Bling” – Drake
Hip Hop Artist of the Year: (New Category)
• Drake
R&B Song of the Year: (New Category)
• “Earned It” – The Weeknd
R&B Artist of the Year: (New Category)
• Chris Brown
Latin Song of the Year: (New Category)
• “El Perdón” – Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
Latin Artist of the Year: (New Category)
• Pitbull
Regional Mexican Song of the Year: (New Category)
• “Levantando Polvadera” – Voz de Mando
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year: (New Category)
• Banda Los Recoditos
iHeartRadio Most Thumbed Up Artist:
• Taylor Swift
Best Lyrics: *Socially Voted Category
• “Fight Song” – Rachel Platten
Best Collaboration: *Socially Voted Category
• “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
Best Cover Song: (New Category) *Socially Voted Category
• “Uptown Funk” – Fifth Harmony, Jasmine V, Jacob Whitesides and Mahogany Lox covering Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
Best Song from a Movie: (New Category) *Socially Voted Category
• “Til It Happens To You” – Lady Gaga (The Hunting Ground)
Most Meme-able Moment: (New Category) *Socially Voted Category
• Taylor Swift’s “Crazy Girl” with Running Mascara (from “Blank Space” video)
Best Fan Army presented by Taco Bell: *Socially Voted Category
• Justin Bieber – Beliebers
Biggest Triple Threat *Socially Voted Category
• Selena Gomez Singer / Actor / Dancer
