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BTS Wins Artist of the Year at 2026 American Music Awards

Winning three trophies after a pre-recorded performance plus onstage moments underscores K-pop's mainstream reach through fan-driven voting.

Overview

  • BTS won three AMAs on Monday, May 25, taking Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer for “Swim,” and Best Male K‑Pop Artist.
  • The group opened the broadcast with a pre-recorded clip from their Las Vegas concert and then appeared onstage to present an award and accept trophies.
  • The 52nd AMAs were held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, hosted by Queen Latifah, and were televised on CBS and streamed via Paramount+ with regional partners carrying the show.
  • Winners at the AMAs are chosen by public vote while nominations are based on commercial performance, a process that amplified organized fandoms such as ARMY in BTS’s victories.
  • The ceremony highlighted wider stylistic and geographic diversity with multiple K‑pop winners and Karol G receiving an International Excellence honor, signaling rising mainstream influence for K‑pop and Latin artists and setting the stage for BTS’s upcoming South America tour dates.