South Korean group BTS won artist of the year at the American Music Awards for the second year running, beating Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga at the Las Vegas ceremony, per bbc.com.
The award capped a night of major wins for the seven-piece group, who returned in March from a nearly four-year hiatus with their fifth studio album, Arirang. Currently on a $1b world tour, BTS also collected song of the summer for lead single Swim and best male K-pop artist.
“Golden,” the breakout track from animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, was named song of the year. Sabrina Carpenter won album of the year for Man’s Best Friend, along with best female pop artist and best pop album. Justin Bieber took best male pop artist.
Taylor Swift, the most-decorated artist in AMA history, received eight nominations but won no awards. PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson won collaboration of the year for “Stateside,” while Larsson also secured breakthrough album of the year for Midnight Sun.
Katseye was named new artist of the year and also won best music video for “Gnarly” and breakthrough pop artist. Huntrix claimed best vocal performance and best pop song for “Golden,” while EJAE added best soundtrack for K-Pop Demon Hunters. Audrey Nuna was absent due to work commitments.
Veteran rocker Billy Idol received the lifetime achievement award and performed “White Wedding” and “Eyes Without a Face”. He is also set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “We thought it may last only about six months, let alone 50 years,” Idol said.
The Black Eyed Peas won best throwback song for “Rock That Body” from their 2009 album The E.N.D.. Fergie reunited with the group on stage for the first time since her 2018 departure. “I want to thank all of the fans for voting for this so I can stand up here right now with my longtime friends and brothers,” she said, crediting fan videos for the moment.
Other performers included The Pussycat Dolls, who sang “Don’ Cha” with a cameo from Busta Rhymes, and Teddy Swims, who performed a medley of his hits. Sombr won three awards, including best rock/alternative song for “Back to Friends”.
“I wrote this song when I was 19 and depressed all by myself in my bedroom,” Sombr said.
Additional winners included SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, Bad Bunny, Twice, Shakira and Bruno Mars.
Queen Latifah hosted, with performances from Katseye, Keith Urban, New Kids on the Block and Twenty One Pilots.
AMA winners are selected by public vote via the ceremony’s website and social media, with nominees determined by commercial performance.
BTS’s global fan base, known as Army, has been widely credited with driving the group’s streaming and voting campaigns. The band began a military service hiatus in 2022 and returned in March.
BTS leader RM thanked fans during the group’s acceptance speech.
“Armys, we did it once again. Since this is a fan-voted award, our biggest thanks and gratitude, as always, go to Armys all over the world,” he said.
J-Hope added the group was “grateful” for the response to Arirang. The tour continues in the US before returning to Busan, South Korea, in June for shows marking the group’s 13th debut anniversary.
•Featured image: BTS beat stars including Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga in the artist of the year category/Getty Images
