The 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs) gave music fans plenty to talk about this year. Held in Las Vegas and hosted by Queen Latifah, the show featured major wins, that were all chosen based on fan votes. Whether students watched the ceremony live or only caught clips online, the AMAs became one of the biggest entertainment events of the year.
One of the most talked-about moments was BTS winning Artist of the Year, proving that their comeback remains stronger than ever. Fans celebrated online as the group also earned awards including Song of the Summer for “SWIM.” Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter had a major night, winning Album of the Year for Man’s Best Friend and continuing what has already been a huge year for her music. KATSEYE also made headlines after winning New Artist of the Year, showing how quickly the group has risen in popularity.
The performances were another highlight of the night. Artists including KATSEYE, Twenty One Pilots, Teddy Swims, and KAROL G brought energy to the stage and gave fans plenty to post about online. Award shows often become memorable because of performances more than the trophies, and this year was no different. Social media clips spread quickly, especially from artists with strong fan bases.
Sophomore Myah Taher said,“Honestly, my favorite part is seeing everyone’s reactions online. Even if your favorite artist doesn’t win, it’s still entertaining to see what people are saying after.”
Fans were especially surprised when Taylor Swift, who entered the night with the most nominations, left without a win and did not attend the event. Another memorable moment came when Billy Idol received a lifetime achievement award, reminding viewers of music legends who continue to influence artists today.
Some students said they missed the AMAs simply because they did not know it was happening. With less promotion online and fewer reminders, many ended up seeing highlights on social media after the show instead of watching it live.
Sophomore Siena Garcia said, “I honestly didn’t even know the AMAs were happening until I saw clips on TikTok after. I feel like they could’ve promoted it way better because usually big award shows are everywhere online.”
Although the AMAs only last one night, the conversations around winners, performances, and surprises continue for weeks. One thing is clear: music still has a way of bringing people together and giving everyone something to talk about
