AMAs 2026: HUNTR/X’s ‘Golden’ receives first award of the night with BTS’ K-pop
Las Vegas hosted the 52nd edition of American Music Awards (AMAs) on the evening of May 25, 2026, transforming MGM Grand Garden Arena into the center of the pop culture universe. The event, known for being voted on by fans, featured a series of electrifying performances, surprise appearances and celebrity pairings. The ceremony kicked off with a K-pop kickoff and the awarding of HUNTR/X’s song “Golden” as the first award of the night, setting the tone for a star-studded celebration and unexpected moments that captivated a global audience.
Destaques mark the beginning of the 52nd edition of American Music Awards
The awards night at Las Vegas kicked off with great anticipation, bringing together a wide range of artists for the 52nd American Music Awards. The MGM Grand Garden Arena stage hosted big names in music. Musical diversity was one of the strong points, ranging from K-pop to alternative rock.
K-pop group BTS opened the ceremony with a performance streamed from their ARIRANG world tour stop, held on Las Vegas on May 24. The evening’s host, Queen Latifah, took the opportunity to announce that the seven-member group was on its way to MGM Grand for their first AMAs appearance in four years, following a hiatus due to the members’ military enlistment. BTS, who made their television debut on Estados Unidos at the AMAs in 2017, returns this year with three nominations, reaffirming their strong connection with the awards show.
Nostalgia was present on stage with the performance of the legendary rock group Hootie & the Blowfish. The band, which celebrates 30 years since its first AMAs award, performed hits like “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You.” Essa was the second musical attraction of the night, preceded by the opening of Queen Latifah, who also brought a 90s touch to the ceremony.
HUNTR/X secures Canção from Ano with “Golden” success
American Music Awards awarded “Golden”, by HUNTR/X, as Canção from Ano, which consolidated the track as one of the biggest hits of the season. The composition, performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, was announced as the winner after a fierce competition with nine other nominated songs. Este award highlights the strength and reach of music in today’s industry.
Ano’s Canção category featured a diverse selection of artists and genres, reflecting the plurality of the music scene. The list of nominees represented different styles and artistic proposals.
- Alex Warren, “Ordinary”
- Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas”
- HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, “Golden” — winner
- Kehlani, “Folded”
- Leon Thomas, “Mutt”
- Morgan Wallen, “I’m The Problem”
- Olivia Dean, “Man I Need”
- Sabrina Carpenter, “Manchild”
- Sombr, “Back to Friends”
- Taylor Swift, “The Fate of Ophelia”
HUNTR/X’s victory in this prestigious category underlines the group’s ability to resonate with audiences and critics, highlighting the quality of production and vocal interpretation. The recognition of the audience, which votes for the AMAs winners, emphasizes the impact of “Golden” over the past year.
Sombr delivers award-winning debut and dramatic performance
Artist Sombr had a memorable night at the AMAs, earning his first American Music Award and delivering an impactful debut performance. Linda Perry, whose work was presented on the AMAs stage over 20 years ago by Christina Aguilera, was responsible for introducing the new talent. Perry highlighted the beauty and authenticity of Sombr, values that, according to her, are timeless in music.
Sombr was awarded in the Melhor Canção Rock/Alternative category for “Back to Friends”. Esta’s victory preceded his on-stage appearance, where he delivered a dramatic performance of “Homewrecker”. The artist, in his “rock-star” era, wore black leather pants and smudged eyeliner, ending the performance under a scenographic rain that ran down the makeup on his face, causing an explosion of applause from the crowd.
Twenty One Pilots takes prize from Melhor Artista Rock/Alternativo
The Melhor Artista Rock/Alternative category recognized Twenty One Pilots as winners in the 52nd edition of American Music Awards. The group beat a list of competitors that included important names in the genre, demonstrating the continued relevance and popularity of their music among fans. The award reinforces the band’s influence on the contemporary alternative rock scene.
The other nominees in the category were Deftones, Linkin Park, The Marías and Sleep Token. Twenty One Pilots’s victory highlights the recognition of the public, who vote for the AMAs winners. The band’s trajectory, marked by successes and innovations, culminates in another important trophy.
Queen Latifah rules the night after 31 year hiatus as host
Singer and actress Queen Latifah returned to the role of host of American Music Awards, marking her first time in charge of the ceremony in 31 years. Ela opened the 52nd edition of the Las Vegas event with a speech that mixed humor and seriousness, saluting the Memorial Day weekend. The artist joked that some members of BTS, who gave the opening performance, “weren’t even born” in her last time as host.
Latifah highlighted the importance of the date, stating that the AMAs was proud to support the country’s main military veteran organizations. Ela directed fans to a special page on the show’s website dedicated to the tribute. The host also credited fans for the record number of votes received this year, describing the turnout as “a statement about how much music matters” to the global community.
