iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 Concludes with Star-Studded Winners List
The iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 has officially wrapped up, delivering an unforgettable night of music celebration at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This year's ceremony saw a fresh wave of artists claiming top honors, with global superstars like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter dominating the spotlight alongside hip-hop heavyweight Kendrick Lamar.
Major Category Winners Announced
In a highly competitive field, Taylor Swift emerged as the Artist of the Year, solidifying her status as a music industry powerhouse. The Song of the Year award went to Alex Warren for "Ordinary," while Sabrina Carpenter was crowned Pop Artist of the Year, also winning Pop Song of the Year for "The Fate of Ophelia."
Kendrick Lamar, in collaboration with SZA, secured the Hip-Hop Song of the Year for "luther" and was named Hip-Hop Artist of the Year. Other notable winners include Bad Bunny for Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year, Chris Brown for R&B Artist of the Year, and David Guetta for Dance Artist of the Year.
Complete Winners Breakdown by Genre
The awards showcased diversity across musical genres, with winners spanning pop, country, hip-hop, R&B, rock, Latin, K-Pop, and more. Here is a detailed overview of key category winners:
- Country: Morgan Wallen (Country Artist of the Year), Shaboozey (Country Song of the Year for "Good News"), Ella Langley (Country Best New Artist)
- Rock: Shinedown (Rock Artist of the Year), Linkin Park (Rock Song of the Year for "Heavy Is the Crown"), Sleep Theory (Rock Best New Artist)
- Alternative: Twenty One Pilots (Alternative Artist of the Year), Sublime (Alternative Song of the Year for "Ensenada"), sombr (Alternative Best New Artist)
- Latin: Bad Bunny (Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year), DtMF by Bad Bunny (Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year), AlleBeéle (Latin Pop/Urban Best New Artist)
- K-Pop: ROSÉ (K-Pop Artist of the Year), Stray Kids (K-Pop Group of the Year), "Golden" by HUNTR/X, EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami (K-Pop Song of the Year), Cortis (K-Pop Best New Artist)
Socially Voted and Special Recognition Awards
The ceremony also featured socially voted categories, reflecting fan engagement and trends. Tom Felton won Favorite Broadway Debut for his role in "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," while j-hope's "MONA LISA" claimed Favorite TikTok Dance. Alex Warren's debut album "You'll Be Alright, Kid" was voted Favorite Debut Album.
In special recognition categories, Amy Allen was honored as Songwriter of the Year, and Andrew Watt received the Producer of the Year award. Taylor Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia" also won Best Lyrics and Best Music Video, highlighting her artistic impact beyond performance.
Venue and Event Highlights
Held at the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 brought together a mix of established icons and rising talents. The event underscored the evolving music landscape, with new artists like Alex Warren and Sabrina Carpenter making significant marks alongside veterans like Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar.
The awards ceremony not only celebrated musical achievements but also emphasized the role of digital platforms and social media in shaping contemporary music culture, as seen in categories like Favorite TikTok Dance and socially voted honors.
