Snubs and Surprises at the 2026 American MusicAwards
3 minute readPublished: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 8:08 am
American Music Awards 2026: Unexpected Victories and Notable Snubs
The 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs) delivered a night of surprises, with several unexpected winners and notable snubs. Hosted by Queen Latifah, the show, which aired on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, saw a shift in the usual winners' circle.
Taylor Swift, despite leading the nominations with eight, left empty-handed, a significant upset given her record-breaking 40 AMA wins. Shakira and Tyla secured victories in genre-neutral categories, with Shakira winning Tour of the Year and Tyla taking home Social Song of the Year.
Other artists experienced similar disappointment. Olivia Dean, with seven nominations, and Alex Warren and Lady Gaga, each with six, also failed to secure any awards. In the country music category, Morgan Wallen, despite winning Best Male Country Artist, was again denied the Best Country Album award, which went to Megan Moroney.
On the other hand, several emerging artists celebrated major wins. Sam Barber was named Breakthrough Country Artist. KATSEYE won New Artist of the Year, and Sombr took home awards for both Best Rock/Alternative Song and Album. Notably, three groups – BTS, KATSEYE, and HUNTR/X – each secured three awards, a departure from recent years dominated by solo artists.
The show also faced criticism for its lack of an "In Memoriam" segment, failing to acknowledge the recent deaths of Rob Base and Dash Crofts.
BNN's Perspective: The AMAs continue to evolve, reflecting the changing landscape of the music industry. While the show's focus on a younger audience and upbeat atmosphere is understandable, the omission of an "In Memoriam" segment feels like a missed opportunity to honor the legacies of those who have shaped music.
Tags: American Music Awards, AMAs, Taylor Swift, Shakira, Tyla, Morgan Wallen, KATSEYE, Sombr, Music Awards, Awards Show, Music, Winners, Snubs, Queen Latifah, Country Music, Rock Music, Pop Music, New Artist, Breakthrough Artist.