iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 winners revealed in full star studded list

iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 winners overview

The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards celebrated the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2025. The ceremony took place on March 26, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Most competitive categories reflected iHeartRadio airplay and app performance from 2025. Separate fan-voted categories, including Best Lyrics, Best Music Video, and Favorite Tour Style, were decided by public voting.

Taylor Swift wins Artist of the Year again

Taylor Swift won Artist of the Year based on radio airplay and streaming performance across 2025. This marks another major milestone in her career as she continues to dominate U.S. music charts.

According to industry tracking data, Swift remained one of the most played artists on iHeartRadio stations throughout the year. Her songs consistently ranked in top rotation across multiple formats.

Swift also won Album of the Year, bringing her total wins to seven in one night. This extended her record as the most awarded artist in iHeartRadio Music Awards history, based on cumulative wins since the show began.

Alex Warren wins Song of the Year

Alex Warren’s track “Ordinary” won Song of the Year after strong radio rotation and digital performance. The award reflects listener reach and total spins across the iHeartRadio network.

According to music tracking reports, the song gained rapid traction in multiple U.S. markets and stayed on high rotation for months. It also performed well on streaming platforms, boosting its overall ranking.

Warren also won Breakthrough Artist, signaling a major career jump in 2025. The dual wins positioned him among the fastest rising artists recognized by iHeartRadio metrics this year.

Miley Cyrus receives Innovator Award

Miley Cyrus received the Innovator Award for her impact on music, visuals, and performance style over time. The award highlights artists who influence industry trends beyond chart performance.

According to industry reports, Cyrus has consistently adapted her musical direction across genres, contributing to her long-term relevance. Her work spans pop, rock, and experimental sounds.

John Mellencamp honored with Icon Award

John Mellencamp received the Icon Award, recognizing decades of influence in American rock music. The award reflects long-term contribution rather than recent chart performance.

Mellencamp’s career includes multiple hit records and consistent radio play since the 1980s. According to music archives, his songs remain staples on classic rock stations across the United States. His recognition at the 2026 event also aligned with a tribute moment during the ceremony.

The award highlighted his continued cultural relevance and influence on newer generations of artists.

Sabrina Carpenter won Pop Artist of the Year

Sabrina Carpenter won Pop Artist of the Year at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards after a major year on pop radio and streaming. Taylor Swift, not Carpenter, won Pop Song of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia.”

Swift also won Pop Album of the Year for The Life of a Showgirl, underscoring how competitive the pop field was this year.

Fun fact: Sabrina Carpenter is known for changing the outro lyrics of her song “Nonsense” at every live show, often improvising playful, city-specific lines that go viral online.

Kendrick Lamar dominates Hip Hop Artist of the Year

Kendrick Lamar won Hip Hop Artist of the Year, supported by a strong radio presence and critical recognition. His music maintained high rotation across urban and rhythmic stations.

The song “luther,” featuring SZA, won Hip Hop Song of the Year. According to tracking data, the collaboration gained significant airplay and listener reach. Lamar’s consistent performance across formats contributed to his category win.

The results reflect both commercial success and audience engagement within the hip hop genre.

Chris Brown won R&B Artist of the Year

Chris Brown won R&B Artist of the Year at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Kehlani won R&B Song of the Year for “Folded.”

Leon Thomas also had a major night in the R&B field, winning Best New Artist and R&B Album of the Year for PHOLKS. Brown’s long chart run nonetheless remains a major part of his standing in the genre.

Morgan Wallen tops Country Artist of the Year

Morgan Wallen won Country Artist of the Year, reflecting continued dominance in U.S. country radio. His songs ranked among the most played tracks throughout 2025.

Shaboozey’s “Good News” won Country Song of the Year, marking a notable crossover success. According to reports, the track gained traction beyond traditional country audiences.

The country category results highlight a mix of established and emerging artists. Wallen’s consistent performance helped secure his position as the top artist in this genre.

Fun fact: Morgan Wallen originally planned to become a professional baseball player, but a serious arm injury ended his sports career and pushed him toward music instead.

Bad Bunny leads Latin Artist of the Year

Bad Bunny won Latin Artist of the Year, supported by strong streaming numbers and U.S. radio presence. His music maintained high engagement across Latin and crossover stations. His track “DtMF” also won Latin Song of the Year.

According to music reports, the song achieved high rotation and digital performance in multiple regions. The Latin category reflects growing influence in the U.S. market.

Bad Bunny’s continued success highlights the increasing reach of Spanish-language music across mainstream audiences.

Rosé and Stray Kids win K-pop awards

Rosé won K-pop Artist of the Year, reflecting strong global streaming and U.S. radio exposure. Her solo releases contributed to increased recognition in Western markets.

Stray Kids won K-pop Group of the Year, based on fan engagement and digital performance. According to reports, their releases performed strongly across international charts.

Rosé also won Best Collaboration with Bruno Mars for “APT.” This indicates cross-market appeal and growing collaboration between K-pop and Western artists.

Amy Allen and Andrew Watt win key awards

Amy Allen won Songwriter of the Year, recognizing contributions behind major hit songs. Her work has been featured across multiple top-performing tracks.

Andrew Watt received Producer of the Year, reflecting his influence on sound and production quality. According to industry reports, Watt has worked on several chart-leading records.

These categories highlight behind-the-scenes roles in music success. Both awards are based on measurable output, including song performance and industry impact over the past year.

Music’s biggest names take center stage as the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations spotlight Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Bad Bunny.

2026 awards show highlights key music trends

The 2026 awards reflected a mix of established stars and emerging artists across genres. Taylor Swift and Alex Warren represented both ends of this spectrum. Data-driven results showed a strong influence from streaming and radio combined.

According to iHeartMedia, listener engagement remains a key factor in award outcomes. Cross-genre collaborations and global artists continued to shape the music landscape.

Music icons take center stage as iHeartRadio honors Carey, Nelly, and Gaga.

Which winner surprised you the most this year? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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