Los Angeles, CA – Pop music titan Taylor Swift once again asserted her unparalleled dominance at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, held live from the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday night. The global superstar, whose album The Life of a Showgirl captivated audiences throughout 2025, swept the ceremony with an impressive seven wins, including the coveted Artist of the Year award, making her the top honoree of the evening. This triumph marks a continuation of her remarkable streak, having led the field in nominations for the fourth consecutive year.
Taylor Swift’s Unprecedented Reign
Swift entered the Ludacris-hosted ceremony with a formidable nine nominations, the most of any artist, setting the stage for what would become another historic night. Her departure from the Dolby Theatre saw her holding seven trophies, a testament to her enduring popularity and artistic impact. Beyond Artist of the Year, Swift’s accolades included Best Music Video and Pop Song of the Year for "The Fate of Ophelia," and Lyrics, among others. Her critically acclaimed 2025 record, The Life of a Showgirl, also earned her the Pop Album of the Year award, underscoring its widespread commercial and critical success.
The event marked Swift’s inaugural awards show appearance of 2026, a moment keenly observed by fans and media alike. Adding a personal touch to the glamorous affair, her fiancé, Travis Kelce, was present in support, a gesture that resonated deeply with the audience. During her acceptance speech for Pop Album of the Year, Swift articulated the profound inspiration behind The Life of a Showgirl. "The album The Life of a Showgirl was really inspired by the energy that I felt looking into crowds and seeing you guys and connecting with you every single night," Swift shared, her voice filled with gratitude. "And so the album came out with this energy of just feeling really happy and strong and confident and free, and so I wanna say thank you to the fans for giving me that feeling." She then added a heartfelt dedication, attributing her personal joy and freedom to Kelce: "This album probably also feels very happy and confident and free because that’s the way that I get to feel every single day of my life, because of my fiancé, who’s here tonight." This candid moment highlighted the intertwined nature of her personal happiness and professional success, a narrative that has endeared her to millions worldwide.
Celebrating Breakthroughs and Diverse Talents
While Swift’s monumental win dominated headlines, the 13th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards also spotlighted a new generation of artists and celebrated established icons across a spectrum of genres. The ceremony, which aired on Fox and was broadcast nationwide on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app, served as a comprehensive barometer of the most-played artists and songs across iHeartMedia’s vast platforms throughout 2025.
A significant story of the night was the emergence of Alex Warren, who secured three awards, including the coveted Song of the Year for "Ordinary." Warren also took home honors for Best New Pop Artist and Favorite Debut Album for You’ll Be Alright, Kid, signaling a powerful breakthrough in his career. His multiple wins underscored the iHeartRadio platform’s ability to identify and propel rising stars into the mainstream.
The "Best New Artist" category saw a diverse array of talent recognized across various genres: Ella Langley for Country, Real Boston Richey for Hip-Hop, Leon Thomas for R&B, sombr for Alternative, Sleep Theory for Rock, Beéle for Latin Pop/Urban, Los Dos De Tamaulipas for Regional Mexican, and Cortis for K-pop. These wins reflect the dynamic and evolving soundscape of popular music, showcasing artists who have rapidly gained traction with listeners.
Genre Spotlights: From Pop to K-Pop
The awards also acknowledged the leading figures in established categories. Sabrina Carpenter was crowned Pop Artist of the Year, a testament to her growing influence and chart success, particularly with her song "Manchild." Kendrick Lamar continued his reign in the Hip-Hop sphere, earning Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, with his collaboration "luther" with SZA also winning Hip-Hop Song of the Year. Morgan Wallen, a consistent force in country music, was named Country Artist of the Year and his album I’m The Problem won Country Album of the Year, alongside his song "Love Somebody" receiving a nomination for Song of the Year.
In R&B, Chris Brown was recognized as R&B Artist of the Year, while Leon Thomas not only secured Best New Artist (R&B) but also took home R&B Album of the Year for PHOLKS. The alternative music scene saw Twenty One Pilots named Alternative Artist of the Year, with Sublime’s "Ensenada" winning Alternative Song of the Year. Shinedown claimed Rock Artist of the Year, and Linkin Park’s "Heavy Is the Crown" was honored as Rock Song of the Year.
Dance music accolades went to David Guetta as Dance Artist of the Year, and Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM secured Dance Album of the Year, demonstrating her versatility. Latin music saw Bad Bunny dominate the Latin Pop/Urban categories, winning both Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for DeBÍ TiRAR MÁS FOToS, with his track "DtMF" winning Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year. Regional Mexican honors went to Grupo Frontera for Artist of the Year and Luis Angel “El Flaco” for "Amor Bonito" as Regional Mexican Song of the Year.
The global phenomenon of K-pop was prominently featured, with ROSÉ earning K-pop Artist of the Year and Stray Kids recognized as K-pop Group of the Year. The collaborative track "Golden" by HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, and REI AMI was celebrated as K-pop Song of the Year, and Jennie’s Ruby won K-pop Album of the Year. These wins underscore the genre’s expanding reach and dedicated global fanbase.
Special Honors and Memorable Performances
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards also paid tribute to a distinguished group of artists with special awards recognizing their profound impact on music and culture. Rock legend John Mellencamp was presented with the prestigious iHeartRadio Icon Award, honoring his enduring career and influence. Hip-hop luminary and host of the evening, Ludacris, received the iHeartRadio Landmark Award, acknowledging his significant contributions to music and entertainment. Miley Cyrus, known for her constant evolution and boundary-pushing artistry, was honored with the iHeartRadio Innovator Award. Complementing his triple win, Alex Warren also received the iHeartRadio Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award, further solidifying his status as a rapidly ascending talent.
The Dolby Theatre stage buzzed with energy from a stellar lineup of performers. Ludacris and Alex Warren both delivered dynamic sets, showcasing their talents as award recipients. Other notable performances included Kehlani, Lainey Wilson, and Raye. A particularly anticipated moment was the first-time collaborative performance featuring iconic groups TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue, delivering a nostalgic and powerful medley that captivated the audience. Presenters and special guests throughout the evening included Alysa Liu, Ne-Yo, Nicole Scherzinger, Nikki Glaser, sombr, and Weezer, adding to the star-studded nature of the event.
Behind the Scenes and Fan Engagement
Beyond the artists on stage, the awards recognized the crucial roles of songwriters and producers. Amy Allen was celebrated as Songwriter of the Year, acknowledging her craft in penning hit songs, while Andrew Watt took home the Producer of the Year title for his work shaping the sound of numerous successful tracks.
The awards also embraced fan engagement through unique social media-driven categories. "Favorite TikTok Dance" was awarded to j-hope for "MONA LISA," highlighting the platform’s influence on popular culture. Taylor Swift’s "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" was recognized for "Favorite Tour Style," underscoring her meticulous attention to aesthetics. "Favorite Tour Photographer" went to Rahul Bhatt for KATSEYE, acknowledging the visual artists who capture the magic of live performances. "Favorite Broadway Debut" was awarded to Tom Felton for his role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, showcasing the crossover appeal of celebrities in theatrical productions. Finally, "KPop Demon Hunters" won "Favorite Soundtrack," reflecting the growing synergy between music and visual media.
The 13th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards, meticulously executive produced by Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannaé Rouzan-Clay for Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE), alongside John Sykes, Tom Poleman, and Bart Peters for iHeartMedia and Fox Entertainment Studios, delivered a night of celebration, recognition, and unforgettable moments, cementing its place as a pivotal event in the music industry calendar. The evening’s proceedings underscored the power of radio and digital platforms in shaping popular culture and connecting artists with millions of fans globally.
A Complete List of 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards Winners:
Song of the Year
- "Anxiety" – Doechii
- "Good News" – Shaboozey
- "Love Somebody" – Morgan Wallen
- "luther" – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- "Manchild" – Sabrina Carpenter
- "MUTT" – Leon Thomas
- "Ordinary" – Alex Warren (WINNER)
- "Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else" – Benson Boone
- "Stargazing" – Myles Smith
- "The Fate of Ophelia" – Taylor Swift
Artist of the Year
- Bad Bunny
- Benson Boone
- Chris Brown
- Jelly Roll
- Kendrick Lamar
- Lady Gaga
- Morgan Wallen
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Tate McRae
- Taylor Swift (WINNER)
Album of the Year
- Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl (WINNER)
Pop Artist of the Year
- Alex Warren
- Benson Boone
- Sabrina Carpenter (WINNER)
- Tate McRae
- Taylor Swift
Pop Song of the Year
- "Golden" – HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI
- "Manchild" – Sabrina Carpenter
- "Ordinary" – Alex Warren
- "Pink Pony Club" – Chappell Roan
- "The Fate of Ophelia" – Taylor Swift (WINNER)
Pop Album of the Year
- Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl (WINNER)
Best New Artist (Pop)
- Alex Warren (WINNER)
- Jessie Murph
- Myles Smith
- Ravyn Lenae
- sombr
Duo/Group of the Year
- HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI (WINNER)
- Linkin Park
- Maroon 5
- Shinedown
- Twenty One Pilots
Best Collaboration
- "All The Way" – BigXthaPlug ft. Bailey Zimmerman
- "APT." – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars (WINNER)
- "luther" – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- "Timeless" – The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti
- "WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME" – GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red
Country Song of the Year
- "After All The Bars Are Closed" – Thomas Rhett
- "Good News" – Shaboozey (WINNER)
- "Liar" – Jelly Roll
- "Love Somebody" – Morgan Wallen
- "Whiskey Drink" – Jason Aldean
Country Artist of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Jelly Roll
- Lainey Wilson
- Luke Combs
- Morgan Wallen (WINNER)
Best New Artist (Country)
- Chase Matthew
- Ella Langley (WINNER)
- Hudson Westbrook
- Josh Ross
- Zach Top
Country Album of the Year
- Morgan Wallen I’m The Problem (WINNER)
Hip-Hop Song of the Year
- "luther" – Kendrick Lamar and SZA (WINNER)
- "NOKIA" – Drake
- "Outside" – Cardi B
- "The Largest" – BigXthaPlug
- "WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME" – GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
- Cardi B
- GloRilla
- Kendrick Lamar (WINNER)
- Playboi Carti
- Tyler, The Creator
Best New Artist (Hip-Hop)
- MOLIY
- PLUTO
- Real Boston Richey (WINNER)
- YKNIECE
- ZEDDY WILL
R&B Song of the Year
- "Burning Blue" – Mariah the Scientist
- "Folded" – Kehlani (WINNER)
- "MUTT" – Leon Thomas
- "Residuals" – Chris Brown
- "SOMEBODY LOVES ME" – PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake
R&B Artist of the Year
- Chris Brown (WINNER)
- Kehlani
- Leon Thomas
- Mariah the Scientist
- SZA
Best New Artist (R&B)
- Jenevieve
- Kwn
- Leon Thomas (WINNER)
- Mariah the Scientist
- Sailorr
R&B Album of the Year
- Leon Thomas, PHOLKS (WINNER)
World Artist of the Year
- Ayra Starr
- Jackson Wang
- JO1
- MOLIY (WINNER)
- Tyla
Alternative Song of the Year
- "Back To Friends" – sombr
- "Ensenada" – Sublime (WINNER)
- "One Eyed Bastard" – Green Day
- "Stargazing" – Myles Smith
- "The Contract" – Twenty One Pilots
Alternative Artist of the Year
- Cage the Elephant
- Green Day
- Linkin Park
- Sublime
- Twenty One Pilots (WINNER)
Best New Artist (Alternative)
- almost monday
- Gigi Perez
- Lola Young
- Role Model
- sombr (WINNER)
Alternative Album of the Year
- sombr, I Barely Know Her (WINNER)
Rock Song of the Year
- "Afterlife" – Evanescence
- "Bad Guy" – Falling In Reverse ft. Saraya
- "Dance, Kid, Dance" – Shinedown
- "Even If It Kills Me" – Papa Roach
- "Heavy Is the Crown" – Linkin Park (WINNER)
Rock Artist of the Year
- Linkin Park
- Papa Roach
- Shinedown (WINNER)
- Sleep Token
- Three Days Grace
Best New Artist (Rock)
- Architects
- Poppy
- Return to Dust
- Sleep Theory (WINNER)
- Spiritbox
Dance Song of the Year
- "Blessings" – Calvin Harris feat. Clementine Douglas
- "In My Arms" – ILLENIUM & HAYLA
- "No Broke Boys" – Disco Lines & Tinashe (WINNER)
- "Save My Love" – Marshmello, Ellie Goulding and AVAION
- "Won’t Be Possible" – Tiësto, Odd Mob & Goodboys
Dance Artist of the Year
- Calvin Harris
- David Guetta (WINNER)
- John Summit
- Martin Garrix
- Tiësto
Dance Album of the Year
- Lady Gaga, MAYHEM (WINNER)
Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year
- "Angel" – Grupo Frontera & Romeo Santos
- "DEGENERE" – Myke Towers & benny blanco
- "DtMF" – Bad Bunny (WINNER)
- "Qué Pasaría…" – Rauw Alejandro and Bad Bunny
- "Soltera" – Shakira
Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year
- Bad Bunny (WINNER)
- Feid
- J Balvin
- Karol G
- Shakira
Latin Pop/Urban Album of the Year
- Bad Bunny, DeBÍ TiRAR MÁS FOToS (WINNER)
Best New Artist (Latin Pop/Urban)
- Alleh Mezher
- Beéle (WINNER)
- De La Rose
- Dei V
- Louis BPM
Regional Mexican Song of the Year
- "Amor Bonito" – Luis Angel “El Flaco” (WINNER)
- "El Amor De Mi Vida" – Calibre 50
- "Flores" – Xavi
- "Hecha Pa’ Mi" – Grupo Frontera
- "Lejos Estamos Mejor" – Eden Muñoz
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year
- Alejandro Fernández
- Carin León
- Fuerza Regida
- Grupo Frontera (WINNER)
- Luis Angel “El Flaco”
Best New Artist (Regional Mexican)
- Clave Especial
- Edgardo Núñez
- Los Dos De Tamaulipas (WINNER)
- Óscar Maydon
- Oscar Ortiz
Regional Mexican Album of the Year
- Fuerza Regida 111XPANTIA (WINNER)
K-pop Artist of the Year
- JENNIE
- j-hope
- Jin
- LISA
- ROSÉ (WINNER)
K-pop Group of the Year
- ATEEZ
- BLACKPINK
- ENHYPEN
- Stray Kids (WINNER)
- TWICE
K-pop Song of the Year
- "APT." – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
- "Golden" – HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI (WINNER)
- "JUMP" – BLACKPINK
- "Killin’ It Girl" – j-hope feat. GloRilla
- "like JENNIE" – JENNIE
Best New Artist (K-pop)
- 82Major
- AllDay Project
- Cortis (WINNER)
- Hearts2Hearts
- Meovv
K-pop Album of the Year
- Jennie, Ruby (WINNER)
Songwriter of the Year
- Amy Allen (WINNER)
- Ashley Gorley
- Cal Shapiro
- Charlie Handsome
- Julia Michaels
Producer of the Year
- Andrew Watt (WINNER)
- Dijon
- Jack Antonoff
- Max Martin & Shellback
- Sounwave
Favorite Broadway Debut
- Ashley Graham, Chicago
- Cheryl Porter, & Juliet
- Durrell “Tank” Babbs, Hell’s Kitchen
- Gabrielle Nevaeh Green, Stranger Things: The First Shadow
- Jack Wolfe, Hadestown
- Kelsie Watts, Six! The Musical
- Lencia Kebede, Wicked
- Lizzy McAlpine, Floyd Collins
- Meg Donnelly, Moulin Rouge! The Musical
- Ne-Yo, Hell’s Kitchen
- Tom Felton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (WINNER)
- Trisha Paytas, Beetlejuice
Favorite TikTok Dance
- "Abracadabra" – Lady Gaga
- "Gnarly" – KATSEYE
- "GO!" – CORTIS
- "Happen To Me" – Russell Dickerson
- "JUMP" – BLACKPINK
- "like JENNIE" – JENNIE
- "Midnight Sun" – Zara Larsson
- "MONA LISA" – j-hope (WINNER)
- "Revolving Door" – Tate McRae
- "SPAGHETTI" – LE SSERAFIM, j-hope
- "The Fate of Ophelia" – Taylor Swift
Favorite Debut Album
- Addison Rae, Addison
- Alex Warren, You’ll Be Alright, Kid (WINNER)
- Audrey Hobert, Who’s the Clown?
- Calum Hood, ORDER chaos ORDER
- Coco Jones, Why Not More?
- JADE, THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!
- JENNIE, Ruby
- LISA, Alter Ego
- Michael Clifford, SIDEQUEST
- Perrie, Perrie
- sombr, I Barely Know Her
- Tucker Wetmore, What Not To
Best Lyrics
- "Anxiety" – Doechii
- "BAILE INoLVIDABLE" – Bad Bunny
- "Camera" – Ed Sheeran
- "Choosin’ Texas" – Ella Langley
- "DAISIES" – Justin Bieber
- "Golden" – HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI
- "Man I Need" – Olivia Dean
- "Manchild" – Sabrina Carpenter
- "Ordinary" – Alex Warren
- "The Fate of Ophelia" – Taylor Swift (WINNER)
- "undressed" – sombr
- "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!" – RAYE
Best Music Video
- "Abracadabra" – Lady Gaga
- "BAILE INoLVIDABLE" – Bad Bunny
- "BORN AGAIN" – LISA feat. Doja Cat & RAYE
- "Gabriela" – KATSEYE
- "JUMP" – BLACKPINK
- "like JENNIE" – JENNIE
- "Manchild" – Sabrina Carpenter
- "Ordinary" – Alex Warren
- "Sapphire" – Ed Sheeran
- "Shake It to the Max (FLY) (Remix)" – MOLIY, Shenseea, Skillibeng, Silent Addy
- "The Fate of Ophelia" – Taylor Swift (WINNER)
- "toxic till the end" – ROSÉ
Favorite On Screen
- AJ McLean, Nicole Scherzinger, Liam Payne, Kelly Rowland, Building the Band
- Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo, Wicked: For Good
- Bad Bunny, Happy Gilmore 2
- Becky G, REBBECA
- Ed Sheeran, ONE SHOT with Ed Sheeran: A Musical Experience
- Jimin and Jungkook, Are You Sure?! (WINNER)
- Jonas Brothers, A Very Jonas Christmas Movie
- Karol G, Karol G: Tomorrow Was Beautiful
- Lady Gaga, Wednesday
- LISA, The White Lotus
- Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The End of an Era
- Zara Larsson, Up Close
Favorite Tour Photographer
- Abby Waisler for Gracie Abrams
- Adam DeGross for Post Malone
- Anna Lee for Coldplay
- baeth for Tate McRae
- Chris Cornejo for Shakira
- Cynthia Parkhurst for Katy Perry
- Henry Hwu for Billie Eilish
- Hyghly for The Weeknd
- Joshua Halling for Oasis
- Rahul Bhatt for KATSEYE (WINNER)
- Thomas Falcone for Shawn Mendes
- Tom Pallant for YUNGBLUD
Favorite Soundtrack
- A Very Jonas Christmas Movie (Original Soundtrack)
- F1 the Album
- Frankenstein (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)
- KPop Demon Hunters (WINNER)
- Nobody Wants This Season 2: The Soundtrack
- Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
- Smurfs Movie Soundtrack (Music From & Inspired By)
- Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
- Tron: Ares (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
- Wicked: For Good – The Soundtrack
- Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (Original Soundtrack)
Favorite Tour Style
- Bad Bunny, DeBÍ TiRaR MÁS FOToS World Tour
- Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter Tour
- Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour
- BLACKPINK, Deadline World Tour
- Dua Lipa, Radical Optimism Tour
- Ella Langley, Still Hungover Tour
- KATSEYE, Beautiful Chaos Tour
- Lady Gaga, The Mayhem Ball
- Sabrina Carpenter, Short n’ Sweet Tour
- Tate McRae, Miss Possessive Tour
- Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (WINNER)
- Zara Larsson, Midnight Sun Tour
Favorite Tour Tradition
- Benson Boone, Cover song
- Beyoncé, Blue Ivy & Rumi on stage
- Billie Eilish, “when the party’s over” silent loop
- Coldplay, Crowd cam (WINNER)
- Dua Lipa, Surprise guest
- Jonas Brothers, Surprise guest
- KATSEYE, “Gnarly” dance break
- Lainey Wilson, Cowgirl of the night
- ROLE MODEL, Sally
- Sabrina Carpenter, Celebrity “Juno” arrest
- Tate McRae, Fan cam on stage
- Zara Larsson, “Lush Life” star
Favorite K-pop Collab
- "Blink" – Corbyn Besson & TZUYU of TWICE
- "BORN AGAIN" – LISA feat. Doja Cat & RAYE
- "BUCK" – Jackson Wang feat. Diljit Dosanjh
- "Confessions" – Flo Rida, HEESEUNG & JAKE of ENHYPEN, Paul Russell
- "Dirty Work" – aespa feat. Flo Milli
- "ExtraL" – JENNIE, Doechii
- "EYES CLOSED" – JISOO X ZAYN
- "Illegal + SEVENTEEN" – PinkPantheress, SEVENTEEN
- "On My Mind" – Alex Warren & ROSÉ
- "Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)" – j-hope, Miguel (WINNER)
- "TOO BAD" – G-DRAGON feat. Anderson .Paak
- "WE PRAY (TWICE Version)" – Coldplay, TWICE, Burna Boy, Elyanna, TINI, Little Simz
