52nd Annual American Music Awards 

Good music and glamour were in the air for the highly anticipated 52nd Annual American Music Awards in the legendary setting of the MGM Grand Arena in illustrious Las Vegas. 

Dick Clark created The American Music Awards in 1974 with the intention of the ceremony being fan friendly, versus the usual peer friendly award shows. AMA nominees are based on Billboard and Luminate and those contenders are voted on entirely by the fans, with the American Music Awards being recognized as the world’s largest fan-voted award show. This year, fan votes were at an all-time high, breaking previous AMA records for votes.  

Sheen Magazine was on the scene to celebrate what the fans decided were the biggest records, performances, and tours from the timeframe between late 2025 through 2026. 

Hosted by the iconic and highly decorated Queen Latifah, who made her return after 30 years, the American Music Awards occurs on Memorial Day, a day that honors and remembers the lives lost while serving the United States Military. In appreciation of America’s service members, the AMA’s invites the Troops to the ceremony and heartfelt tributes are presented throughout the Paramount+ stream and CBS Broadcast. Country music artist Darius Rucker was the recipient of this year’s Veterans Voice Award Presented by USAA’s Honor Through Action. “Throughout his career, Rucker has consistently championed those who serve through his long-time support of military organizations and through his music.” 

Teyana Taylor is having a phenomenal year after having become a Golden Globe winner for her movie One Battle After Another and a recipient of the Billboards Women in Music Visionary Award. After turning everyone’s head on the carpet in a purple strapless Balenciaga gown, alongside her two adorable daughters—Junie and Rue—the legendary Missy Elliott made a special appearance introducing Teyana who performed her records, “All of Your Heart” and “Open Invite” from her latest album “Escape Room.”

Wearing a Baba Jagne yellow strapless bustier top with a floor length skirt, platinum selling artist GloRilla glowed on the carpet. Mariah the Scientist wore a sustainably sourced military-style cropped jacket and satin maxi skirt and was styled by Jaclyn Fleurant. 

The Pussycat Dolls returned to the AMA stage and performed a medley of their popular records, including “Don’t Cha” alongside iconic Hip-Hop artist, Busta Rhymes. Maluma took the stage to take fans back to Columbia with his performance of “Tu Recuerdo” from his sixth studio album, “Loco x Volver” (Crazy to Return). 

Emmy and Grammy Award winning entertainer, Paula Abdul stunned, looking timeless in a white Michael Costello gown. Two-time AMA recipients, New Kids on the Block previewed their upcoming The Right Stuff residency at Park MGM with a Vegas Strip themed performance. 

Legendary multi-genre music group The Black-Eyed Peas won the award for Best Throwback Song for “Rock That Body”, making them the first recipients of an entirely new category the AMA’s introduced this year. South African Afrobeats phenom Tyla, won Social Song of the Year for “Chanel”. 

Icon and legend, Kendrick Lamar collected the best Male Hip-Hop Artist award, followed by Cardi B winning in three categories—Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Hip-Hop Song, Best Hip-Hop Album. The gorgeous Monaleo won her first AMA for Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist. 

Grammy Award winning vocalist SZA won Best Female R&B Artist, while Leon Thomas won for Breakthrough R&B Artist. Bruno Mars of Bruno Mars Drive—the road leading directly into the Park MGM Resort where he has a long-running residency—won across three categories: Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Album. 

Grammy Award winning icon Shakira won AMA’s for Best Female Latin Artist and Tour of the Year. Bad Bunny collected Best Male Latin Artist and Best Latin Song awards, while Karol G lit up the stage with her performance, while taking home the International Artist Award of Excellence and Best Latin Album. 

BTS came to Las Vegas and once again dominated, with their sold out four-night concert series at the Allegiant Stadium on their Arirang World Tour. The Korean Pop group won Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, and Best Male K-Pop Artist, for a total of fourteen AMA’s since their debut at the 2017 American Music Awards. 

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Photo Credits:

The American Music Awards, Photos by Christopher Polk/Dick Clark Productions via Getty Images, Photos by Gilbert Flores/Dick Clark Productions via Getty Images, Photos by Rich Polk/Dick Clark Productions via Getty Images,