A Look Back at iHeartRadio 2025—Star Lineup Set

A Night of Music, Surprises & Icons!

One of the most exciting nights in music, the iHeartRadio Music Awards, celebrates the biggest songs and artists of the year. The award show is different from others — winners are chosen based on iHeartRadio airplay data and listener votes.

The 2025 event included some of the most iconic performances, guests, and moments. Fans waited eagerly to watch which artists took home top honors and which performances stole the show.

Venue and Broadcast Details

The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards took place on March 17, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The event was broadcast live on Fox at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Viewers could also watch it on major streaming platforms like Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV. The events’ coverage and behind-the-scenes footage are available on iHeartRadio’s YouTube channel.

LL Cool J Returns as Host

LL Cool J, a famous rapper and actor, hosted the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. He first hosted the event in 2022.

LL Cool J has 40 years of experience in this industry and is known as a hip-hop legend and TV host. His experience and bond with fans made him the perfect fit to host the night of big performances and awards.

Leading Nominees

The most nominations at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, with 10 nominations each, were led by Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen. Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, and Sabrina Carpenter had nine nominations.

Swift’s “Eras Tour” and Wallen’s No. 1 hits had a huge impact on their successful night. Other artists also had huge success with their music.

Special Awards

Several artists were honored with special awards at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. For her groundbreaking artistry, Lady Gaga was honored with the Innovator Award.

Mariah Carey was given the Icon Award to celebrate her contributions to the music industry. Nelly received the Landmark Award, honoring his legacy in Rap music and R&B.

Performances Overview

The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards had one of the best performances from top artists. Bad Bunny, with his song “EoO,” energized the crowd and even did crowd surfing during the act.

Billie Eilish, in collaboration with Finneas, performed “Wildflower” in an emotional way. Nelly sang his old hits, including “Hot in Herre.”

Bad Bunny’s Electrifying Performance

Bad Bunny performed his hit song, “EoO,” at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. His energetic moves, bright neon lights, and Latin beats made the performance even more exciting.

Fans danced, cheered, and jumped into the crowd. People on social media, sharing their opinions, considered it the best performance of the night.

Billie Eilish Opens the Show

The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards started off with Billie Eilish’s beautiful performance of her song “Wildflower.” Her soft voice and the beautifully set stage created a magical atmosphere.

The crowd loved the performance and swayed and sang along with the singer. Fans and critics praised Billie Eilish’s opening performance for the event.

GloRilla’s Impactful Set

GloRilla, an American rapper, performed at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. With her high-energy performance, she delivered her hit “Yeah Glo” with other songs to keep her fans engaged.

Along with her dancers and bold stage visuals, she added liveliness to the atmosphere. Fans and celebrities, including Cardi B, praised her confidence.

Gracie Abrams Honored

Gracie Abrams won the 2025 iHeartRadio Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award for her music and growing fan base.

She gained more fame after performing the opening act for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Gracie thanked her fans, family, and Taylor Swift for her inspiration.

Nelly’s Landmark Award

The 2025 iHeartRadio Awards honored Nelly with the Landmark Award for Country Grammar, turning 25. His album had hit songs like “Ride Wit Me” and “E.I.” and sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

He thanked his fans, the hip-hop community, and St. Louis in his winning speech. Nelly also performed “Hot in Herre” and Country Grammar for the fans.

Lady Gaga’s Innovator Award

At the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Lady Gaga accepted the Innovator Award with a powerful speech on authenticity and legacy.

She honored her Italian-American grandmothers, the LGBTQ+ community, and musical icons like Bowie and Bennett. Gaga emphasized writing your own rules and urged artists to embrace originality and never conform.

Mariah Carey’s Icon Award

Mariah Carey won the Icon Award for her legacy in the music industry. She has 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

She holds the record for the most chart-toppers by a solo artist. Also known for her five-octave vocal range and whistle notes, she has inspired famous artists like Ariana Grande and Beyoncé.

Taylor Swift’s Tour of the Century

Taylor Swift was given the “Tour of the Century” award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards for her record-breaking “Eras Tour.” The tour earned over $2 billion and attracted more than 10 million fans throughout the world.

She thanked her fans, family, and crew members in her speech. Adding to the excitement, Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” book also hit Target stores, giving fans a deeper look into the iconic tour.

Fan Participation

iHearRadio Music Awards allow its fans to help decide the winners. This year, the audience voted for their favorite artists and songs through the iHeartRadio website, social media hashtags, and the iHeartRadio app.

Awards like Best Fan Army and Social Star Award were completely given based on fans’ votes. Just like the ACM Awards, where country fans go crazy for their favorite stars, the iHeartRadio Music Awards brought the same level of passion and show madness.

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