A Night of Major Victories
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, broadcast live from the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, was a evening defined by spectacular achievements and heartfelt celebrations. Hosted by the dynamic Ludacris, the ceremony aired on Fox and across iHeartRadio stations nationwide, spotlighting the artists who dominated the airwaves throughout 2025.
Taylor Swift’s Commanding Triumph
Global superstar Taylor Swift was the undeniable force of the night, converting a leading nine nominations into a staggering seven victories. This marks the fourth consecutive year she has led the nominee field. Her wins included the prestigious Artist of the Year award, alongside honors for Best Music Video, Pop Song of the Year, and Best Lyrics.
The awards ceremony also served as Swift’s first major public appearance of 2026, which she attended with her fiancé, NFL star Travis Kelce. While accepting the award for Pop Album of the Year for her 2025 record, “The Life of a Showgirl”, she shared a touching tribute to both her fans and her partner. She credited the album’s “happy and confident and free” energy to the connection with her audience during her tours and to the daily joy she experiences with Kelce.
Newcomers and Genre Stars Shine Bright
While Swift dominated the overall count, emerging artist Alex Warren emerged as another top honoree, securing three major awards. Warren was crowned with Song of the Year, Best New Pop Artist, and Favorite Debut Album. The night also celebrated the best new talent across the musical spectrum, with awards going to Ella Langley (Country), Real Boston Richey (Hip-Hop), Leon Thomas (R&B), sombr (Alternative), Sleep Theory (Rock), Beéle (Latin Pop/Urban), Los Dos De Tamaulipas (Regional Mexican), and Cortis (K-Pop).
In the category-specific artist of the year awards, Sabrina Carpenter claimed the title for Pop, while Kendrick Lamar was honored as the Hip-Hop Artist of the Year. The behind-the-scenes powerhouses were also recognized, with Amy Allen named Songwriter of the Year and Andrew Watt taking home Producer of the Year.
Prestigious Honors and Show-Stopping Performances
The event was further elevated by special award presentations. Rock legend John Mellencamp was bestowed with the iHeartRadio Icon Award, while host Ludacris received the iHeartRadio Landmark Award. Miley Cyrus was celebrated as an innovator with the iHeartRadio Innovator Award, and Alex Warren’s incredible year was capped with the iHeartRadio Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award.
The musical performances were a highlight, featuring acts like Kehlani, Lainey Wilson, and Raye. The audience was treated to a historic moment as iconic groups TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue shared the stage for a collaborative performance for the very first time. Additional appearances came from Alysa Liu, Ne-Yo, Nicole Scherzinger, Nikki Glaser, sombr, and Weezer.
The 13th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards are based on the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio platforms throughout the previous calendar year. The show was executive produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment and iHeartMedia in conjunction with Fox Entertainment Studios.
List of Winners:
Song of the Year: “Ordinary” – Alex Warren
Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Album of the Year: Taylor Swift, “The Life of a Showgirl”]
Pop Artist of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter
Pop Song of the Year: “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
Pop Album of the Year: Taylor Swift, “The Life of a Showgirl”
Best New Artist (Pop): Alex Warren
Duo/Group of the Year: HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI
Best Collaboration: “APT.” – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
Country Song of the Year: “Good News” – Shaboozey
Country Artist of the Year: Morgan Wallen
Best New Artist (Country): Ella Langley
Country Album of the Year: Morgan Wallen “I’m The Problem”
Hip-Hop Song of the Year: “luther” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Kendrick Lamar
Best New Artist (Hip-Hop): Real Boston Richey
R&B Song of the Year: “Folded” – Kehlani
R&B Artist of the Year: Chris Brown
Best New Artist (R&B): Leon Thomas
R&B Album of the Year: Leon Thomas, “PHOLKS”
World Artist of the Year: MOLIY
Alternative Song of the Year: “Ensenada” – Sublime
Alternative Artist of the Year: Twenty One Pilots
Best New Artist (Alternative): sombr
Alternative Album of the Year: sombr, “I Barely Know Her”
Rock Song of the Year: “Heavy Is the Crown” – Linkin Park
Rock Artist of the Year: Shinedown
Best New Artist (Rock): Sleep Theory
Dance Song of the Year: “No Broke Boys” – Disco Lines & Tinashe
Dance Artist of the Year: David Guetta
Dance Album of the Year: Lady Gaga, “MAYHEM”
Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year: “DtMF” – Bad Bunny
Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny
Latin Pop/Urban Album of the Year: Bad Bunny, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”
Best New Artist (Latin Pop/Urban): Beéle
Regional Mexican Song of the Year: “Amor Bonito” – Luis Angel “El Flaco
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year: Grupo Frontera
Best New Artist (Regional Mexican): Los Dos De Tamaulipas
Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year: Fuerza Regida “111XPANTIA”
K-pop Artist of the Year: ROSÉ
K-pop Group of the Year: Stray Kids
K-pop Song of the Year: “Golden” – HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI
Best New Artist (K-pop): Cortis
K-pop Album of the Year: Jennie, “Ruby”
Songwriter of the Year: Amy Allen
Producer of the Year: Andrew Watt
Favorite Broadway Debut: Tom Felton, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”
Favorite TikTok Dance: “MONA LISA” – j-hope
Favorite Debut Album: Alex Warren, “You’ll Be Alright, Kid”
Best Lyrics: “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
Best Music Video: “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
Favorite On Screen: Jimin and Jungkook, “Are You Sure?!”
Favorite Tour Photographer: Rahul Bhatt for KATSEYE
Favorite Soundtrack: “KPop Demon Hunters”
Favorite Tour Style: Taylor Swift, “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour
Favorite Tour Tradition: Coldplay, Crowd cam
Favorite K-pop Collab: “Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)” – j-hope, Miguel
