The iHeartRadio Music Awards, now in its 13th year, lit up the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, honouring the artists and tracks that dominated the airwaves over the past twelve months. With rapper and actor Ludacris at the helm as host, the evening was a glittering affair, drawing in music’s biggest stars for an unforgettable night of accolades, electrifying performances, and more than a few delightful surprises.
Among the night’s leading nominees, Taylor Swift arrived with nine nominations, including coveted nods for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for her track ‘The Fate of Ophelia’. While she graced the red carpet solo, Swift was later seen inside the venue, reuniting with Travis Kelce and enjoying the festivities from the front row alongside fellow music heavyweights Miley Cyrus and Ella Langley. Close behind Swift in the nomination stakes were Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and Alex Warren, each securing an impressive eight nods.
Miley Cyrus was also a significant winner, taking home the prestigious Innovator Award. This accolade arrived in a particularly meaningful week for the artist, as it coincided with the 20th anniversary of the debut of her iconic Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana.
iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026: The Full List of Winners
The iHeartRadio Music Awards are broadcast on FOX in the United States. For our Australian fans, the ceremony aired on Friday, March 27th, at 11:00 am AEDT. Listeners Down Under could also tune in via the iHeartRadio app.
Here’s a comprehensive rundown of all the winners from the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards:
Major Categories
- Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
- Song of the Year: “Ordinary” – Alex Warren
- Album of the Year: The Life of a Showgirl – Taylor Swift
- Best Pop Album of the Year: The Life of a Showgirl – Taylor Swift
- Best Alternative Album of the Year: I Barely Know Her – Sombr
- Duo/Group of the Year: HUNRT/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami
- Best Collaboration: “All the Way” – BigXthaPlug featuring Bailey Zimmerman
Genre-Specific Awards
Pop
- Pop Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
- Best New Pop Artist: Alex Warren
- Pop Song of the Year: “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
Country
- Country Song of the Year: “Love Somebody” – Morgan Wallen
- Country Artist of the Year: Morgan Wallen
- Best New Country Artist: Ella Langley
Hip-Hop
- Hip-Hop Song of the Year: “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Kendrick Lamar
- Best New Hip-Hop Artist: YKNiece
R&B
- R&B Song of the Year: “Mutt” – Leon Thomas
- R&B Artist of the Year: SZA
- Best New R&B Artist: Leon Thomas
World Music
- World Artist of the Year: Moliy
Alternative
- Alternative Song of the Year: “Ensenada” – Sublime
- Alternative Artist of the Year: Twenty One Pilots
- Best New Alternative Artist: Sombr
Rock
- Rock Song of the Year: “Heavy Is the Crown” – Linkin Park
- Rock Artist of the Year: Shinedown
- Best New Rock Artist: Spiritbox
Dance
- Dance Song of the Year: “No Broke Boys” – Disco Lines and Tinashe
- Dance Artist of the Year: Tiësto
Latin Pop/Urban
- Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year: “Soltera” – Shakira
- Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny
- Best New Latin/Urban Artist: Dei V
Regional Mexican
- Regional Mexican Song of the Year: “Hecha Pa’ Mi” – Grupo Frontera
- Regional Mexican Artist of the Year: Grupo Frontera
- Best New Regional Mexican Artist: Oscar Ortiz
K-Pop
- K-Pop Artist of the Year: Jennie
- K-Pop Group of the Year: TWICE
- K-Pop Song of the Year: “APT.” – Rosé and Bruno Mars
- Best K-Pop New Artist: CORTIS
Special Awards & Craft Categories
- Songwriter of the Year: Amy Allen
- Producer of the Year: Andrew Watt
- Breakthrough Artist of the Year: Alex Warren
- Best Lyrics: “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
- Best Music Video: “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
- Favourite Debut Album: You’ll Be Alright, Kid – Alex Warren
- Favourite K-Pop Collab: “Born Again” – Lisa featuring Doja Cat and RAYE
- Favourite TikTok Dance: “Mona Lisa” – J-Hope
- Favourite On Screen: Jimin and Jung Kook – Are You Sure?
- Favourite Tour Photographer: Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour
- Favourite Tour Style: Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour
- Favourite Tour Tradition: Sabrina Carpenter – Celebrity “Juno” arrest
- Favourite Broadway Debut: Tom Felton – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- Favourite Soundtrack: KPop Demon Hunters
Special Honorees
The iHeartRadio Music Awards also recognised several artists with special honours:
- iHeartRadio Innovator: Miley Cyrus
- iHeartRadio Landmark Award: Ludacris
- iHeartRadio Icon Award: John Mellencamp
- iHeartRadio On the Verge Artist: Alex Warren, Jenevieve, Return To Dust, Sailorr, Sombr
