BTS speaks on stage at the 2026 American Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday.Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
K-pop sensation BTS, the globally popular boy band who recently returned to the world stage after completing military service, won the highest honor, Artist of the Year, at the fan-voted American Music Awards in Las Vegas on Monday.
The group also won Best Male K-Pop Artist and Best Summer Song for their single “Swim.” BTS won in the strong Artist of the Year category, which includes Taylor Swift, who has won more AMAs than any musician during her career, as well as Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and more.
“We did it again!” BTS member RM told screaming fans inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. BTS received the same honor in 2021.
“As always, our greatest gratitude and gratitude goes to the military around the world,” RM added about the BTS fans’ nickname. “You have supported us for the past 13 years.”
The red carpet gala, which aired live on CBS and Paramount+, opened with a pre-recorded Hooligan performance by BTS members from their recent Las Vegas concert.
BTS went on hiatus in 2022 as all seven members participated in military service in South Korea. In March, they returned with their fifth studio album, Arirang. The album topped the Billboard 200 chart for two weeks, making them the first K-pop group or artist to do so.
Among other AMA wins in the K-Pop category, the Song of the Year award went to EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, who is behind the fictional group HUNTR/X, and the upbeat song Golden from the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” The trio won a total of three AMAs.
Katseye, a global girl group with members from four countries, also won three awards, including the Newcomer Award.
Swift was the frontrunner heading into the awards ceremony, with eight nominations, including album of the year for Life of a Showgirl and song of the year for Ophelia. She did not win in any category and did not attend the event.
Carpenter was also a no-show, winning the Man’s Best Friend Award and two other awards for Album of the Year.
Sombre, a 20-year-old indie musician, won three trophies, including Best Rock/Alternative Song for Back to Friends.
“I wrote this song when I was 19, alone in my bedroom, depressed,” he said on stage. “So, coming here, I never expected that.”
1980s rock icon Billy Idol has been awarded a lifetime achievement honor. The 70-year-old recalled starting his career in punk rock in 1976.
“I thought it might only last six months, not 50 years,” the idol said before performing rousing versions of “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing with Myself.”
Source link
