The 2026 American Music Awards brought together the biggest names in pop, rock, and hip-hop at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. However, one name was conspicuously absent from the winners' list: Taylor Swift.
Taylor Swift Shut Out Despite Eight Nominations
Swift, who was nominated in eight categories, did not win a single award and was not present at the ceremony. Despite this, she remains the most decorated artist in AMA history, with 40 career trophies.
BTS Dominate the Night
South Korean boy band BTS emerged as the biggest winners of the evening, taking home Artist of the Year following the release of their new album Arirang. They also won Best Male K-Pop Artist and Song of the Summer for their track Swim.
Surprise Reunions and Performances
One of the most shocking moments was the reunion of the Black Eyed Peas, with Fergie joining Will.i.am, Taboo, and Apl.de.ap on stage for the first time in eight years. They accepted the award for Best Throwback Song for their 2010 hit Rock That Body. Fergie had stepped away from the group to focus on raising her son, Axl.
Also reuniting were Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, and Kimberly Wyatt of the Pussycat Dolls, who performed energetically in red latex outfits. It marked the group's first AMA appearance in two decades.
Australian Representation and Billy Idol's Triumph
Tones and I represented Australia on the red carpet after receiving a nomination for her latest song Gone Gone Gone, featuring David Guetta and Teddy Swims.
Billy Idol closed the show in true rockstar fashion. The 70-year-old singer, sporting spiky blonde hair and an outfit with pink detailing, performed a medley of his classic hits Eyes Without a Face and Dancing With Myself. He also accepted the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award and will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November.
Red Carpet Fashion Highlights
The red carpet was filled with stunning looks from celebrities including Hilary Duff, Teddy Swims, and Alysa Liu. Other notable attendees included Sombr, Mr. Fantasy, Teyana Taylor, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, Queen Latifah, and GloRilla.
