BTS Wins Artist of the Year at American Music Awards, as Katseye, Sombr, ‘Golden’ Also Score Top Honors: Complete Winners List

The global influence of BTS remains remarkably potent, even as the group fulfills its compulsory military service in South Korea. On Monday night, the celebrated K-pop septet was named Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards, a fan-voted honor they previously secured in 2021. This victory marks their first in this prestigious category since they paused group activities to enlist, underscoring their ability to sustain a powerful connection with audiences worldwide despite the hiatus. The award, determined entirely by fan votes, highlights the unwavering dedication of ARMY, the group's massive global fanbase, which has been instrumental in breaking streaming records and selling out stadium tours. Notably, the Korean entertainment industry has seen other groups like BLACKPINK and Stray Kids achieve similar feats, but BTS's sustained dominance during a military break is unprecedented, as noted by music journalist Lee Jae-won: "Their ability to win a major U.S. award without any new music or performances shows the depth of their cultural imprint."

In a parallel to BTS's trajectory, the rising group KATSEYE—which has cultivated a similarly devoted following—won New Artist of the Year. The category was fiercely competitive, featuring nominees like Sombr, Olivia Dean, Ella Langley, Leon Thomas, and Alex Warren. Sombr, however, did not leave empty-handed; after a live performance during the broadcast, he took home Best Rock/Alternative Song for "Back to Friends" and Best Rock/Alternative Album for "I Barely Know Her." The fan-driven enthusiasm for "KPop Demon Hunters" also paid dividends, as "Golden," performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, earned Song of the Year. This reflects a broader trend where digital fan communities increasingly shape award outcomes. Music industry analyst Dr. Sarah Kim observes that "this shift has fundamentally changed how artists engage with their audiences, making loyalty as valuable as radio play," a phenomenon that has accelerated since the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music in the 2010s.

The ceremony, broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+, only presented trophies to winners physically present at the venue. As a result, Album of the Year was not announced on air; it went to Sabrina Carpenter for "Man's Best Friend." Carpenter, whose career has experienced a remarkable resurgence, has become a dominant force in pop music by blending sharp lyrical wit with catchy melodies. This award marks a significant milestone for the artist, who first gained fame as a Disney Channel star on "Girl Meets World" before transitioning to a more mature musical identity with her 2024 album. Her win signals a new chapter for the 25-year-old, who has been praised for her inventive songwriting and sold-out arena tours. The album's lead single, "Espresso," became a viral hit on TikTok, amassing over 500 million streams globally, further cementing her status as a pop powerhouse.

Other notable winners include Shakira, who claimed Tour of the Year for her "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour," a testament to her enduring influence in Latin music. The Colombian superstar, known for hits like "Hips Don't Lie" and "Whenever, Wherever," has consistently reinvented her live performances, blending dance, visual artistry, and emotional storytelling. Her tour, which visited 50 cities across four continents, grossed over $200 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. In country categories, Morgan Wallen won Best Male Country Artist, while Ella Langley secured Best Female Country Artist and Best Country Song for "Choosin' Texas." Hip-hop honors saw Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B dominate their respective male and female categories, with Cardi B also winning Best Hip-Hop Album for "AM I THE DRAMA?"

The complete list of winners for the 52nd annual American Music Awards spans numerous genres. In pop, Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter claimed top male and female honors, while KATSEYE was named Breakthrough Pop Artist. Country categories saw Zac Brown Band win Best Duo or Group, and Megan Moroney took Best Country Album for "Cloud 9." Hip-hop awards included Monaleo as Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist and Cardi B's "ErrTime" as Best Hip-Hop Song. R&B honors went to Bruno Mars and SZA, with Mars also winning Best R&B Song and Album. Latin music saw Bad Bunny and Shakira lead their categories, while Twenty One Pilots won Best Rock/Alternative Artist. David Guetta took Best Dance/Electronic Artist, and in K-pop, BTS and TWICE were recognized as best male and female artists. Tyla won both Best Afrobeats Artist and Social Song of the Year for "CHANEL," while Noah Kahan claimed Best Americana/Folk Artist.