SZA scores major win while Sombr gives inspirational message to accept honor at 2026 American Music Awards
SZA scored a major win with Best Female R&B Artist while Sombr offered a moving message to accept an honor at the 52nd Annual American Music Awards in Las Vegas on Monday.
The 36-year-old songstress was in the category with other artists such as Kehlani, Summer Walker, Teyana Taylor and Tyla.
BTS caused attendees inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena to erupt into loud cheers and applause as they made an appearance to present the special award.
The Kill Bill hitmaker made her way to the stage to give a speech but first expressed her excitement to meet the South Korean boy band in person.
‘It’s nice to meet you formerly in person. And it’s crazy that this is the moment and so I had to take this moment to just let this be the moment,’ she gushed while looking at the group.
SZA then gave a shout out to ‘every beautiful, imaginative, creative, brilliant, genius woman in this category.’
SZA, 36, scored a major win with Best Female R&B Artist while Sombr offered a moving message to accept an honor at the 52nd Annual American Music Awards in Las Vegas on Monday
BTS caused attendees inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena to erupt into loud cheers and applause as they made an appearance to present the special award
‘Thank you so much to my label. Thank you so much to God,’ she continued before also recognizing her fans. ‘God bless you! Thank you to my fans!’
Earlier in the evening, BTS kicked off the ceremony with an energetic opener as they brought fans to their feet with a pre-taped performance of their track Hooligan from their Arirang World Tour.
The seven members including Jin, J-Hope, Jungkook, RM, V, Suga and Jimin, belted out lyrics to the upbeat song.
While the group was not at the MGM Grand Garden Arena where the festivities took place, host Queen Latifah made a promise to the crowd which sent fans into a frenzy.
‘And if you think it’s loud now, just wait. Because BTS is on their way right here, right now!’ she revealed as she began her hosting duties in a striking red leather jumpsuit.
The host applauded the ‘crazy’ energy in the building while gushing that this year’s show received ‘more votes than ever before’ from fans and viewers.
Queen Latifah soon introduced comedian Nikki Glaser who presented the first award of the evening for Best Rock Alternative Song.
The nominees in the category included Noah Kahan, Sombr, Linkin Park, Sublime and also Tame Impala.
Sombr, who raked in seven nominations, won the award for his track Back To Friends and excitedly took to the stage to give an inspirational message to those in attendance
Earlier in the evening, BTS kicked off the ceremony with an energetic opener as they brought fans to their feet with a pre-taped performance of their track Hooligan from their Arirang World Tour; seen in March in Seoul
The South Korean boy band brought fans to their feet with a pre-taped performance of their track Hooligan from their Arirang World Tour (seen above)
‘And if you think it’s loud now, just wait. Because BTS is on their way right here, right now!’ she revealed as she began her hosting duties in a striking red leather jumpsuit
Sombr, who raked in seven nominations, won the award for his track Back To Friends and excitedly took to the stage to give an inspirational message to those in attendance.
The singer gave a special shout out to his fans and added, ‘I wouldn’t be here without you, I love my fans.
‘Thank you to my family. I love my family. And thank you to the AMAs.’
He continued, ‘And I just want to say, for anyone that wants to do anything or pursue anything or do music or whatever you want to do that feels impossible, it’s so not impossible.
‘Because two years ago I was sitting in my living room watching this show and wanting nothing more than to be on this stage. And now I’m here, so you can do it,’ Sombr encouraged.
He also recalled penning Back To Friends when he was age 19 and ‘depressed, all by myself in my bedroom and I produced it by myself. So being here, I never would have expected that. So thank you, I love you.’
Queen Latifah soon introduced comedian Nikki Glaser who presented the first award of the evening for Best Rock Alternative Song
Sombr continued in his speech, ‘And I just want to say, for anyone that wants to do anything or pursue anything or do music or whatever you want to do that feels impossible, it’s so not impossible’
He also recalled penning Back To Friends when he was age 19 and ‘depressed, all by myself in my bedroom and I produced it by myself. So being here, I never would have expected that. So thank you, I love you’
The music artist was dressed for the event wearing a pair of black trousers as well as a black shirt that contained a large cutout on the front and intricate details on the material.
Hootie & The Blowfish then took to the stage to perform some of their hits from over the years including Hold My Hand and Only Wanna Be With You.
Three decades earlier, the band garnered their first AMA win for Pop/Rock New Artist.
Jason Derulo and Paula Abdul were next to take to the stage to present the award for Song of the Year.
Nominees in the category included Alex Warren for Ordinary, Ella Langley for Choosin’ Texas, singers of Golden: Ejae, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, Leon Thomas for Mutt, Sabrina Carpenter for Manchild, Taylor Swift for The Fate Of Ophelia as well as Sombr for Back To Friends.
Golden, which is found in the movie K-pop Demon Hunters, won the honor and both Ejae as well as Rei Ami flashed big smiles as they made their way to the stage to accept the award.
‘Oh my goodness,’ Ejae began as the live audience cheered loudly inside the Las Vegas arena. ‘Truly, like this movie and this song is fueled by the fans…’
She gave a shout out to the fans as well as the ‘K-pop Demon Hunters team.’
Hootie & The Blowfish then took to the stage to perform some of their hits from over the years including Hold My Hand and Only Wanna Be With You
Jason Derulo and Paula Abdul were next to take to the stage to present the award for Song of the Year
Golden, which is found in the movie K-pop Demon Hunters, won the honor and both Ejae as well as Rei Ami flashed big smiles as they made their way to the stage to accept the award
‘Oh my goodness,’ Ejae began as the live audience cheered loudly inside the Las Vegas arena. ‘Truly, like this movie and this song is fueled by the fans…’
Rei Ami also added, ‘Thank you so much to the fans that voted. K-pop Demon Hunters would not be what it is without our passionate fandom.’
She also reflected on a ‘life-changing year’ before giving more recognition to their fans.
Sombr then took to the stage once again to perform his song Homewrecker as the crowd erupted into cheers.
The star donned a black shirt that was partially unbuttoned as well as a pair of black pants.
He embraced his punk side while also sporting black shadow around his eyes and at one point during the performance, water fell down in a dramatic moment.
The track was released earlier this year in February and landed the number two spot on the Billboard U.S. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.
Olympic gold medalist Alyssa Liu then presented the next award for Best Rock Alternative Artist.
The award went to Twenty One Pilots and Josh Dun as well as Tyler Joseph stepped to the stage to accept the honor.
Sombr then took to the stage once again to perform his song Homewrecker as the crowd erupted into cheers
He embraced his punk side while also sporting black shadow around his eyes and at one point during the performance, water fell down in a dramatic moment
Best Rock Alternative Artist went to Twenty One Pilots and Josh Dun as well as Tyler Joseph stepped to the stage to accept the honor
The Pussycat Dolls joined forces with Busta Rhymes to perform a medley of their hits such as Buttons and Don’t Cha
‘We want to thank the AMAs for continuing to support us over the years. We want to thank our fans,’ Joseph began.
‘We wouldn’t… it feels redundant to say it because everyone is saying it, but we really mean it. We would pit our fans against anyone else’s.’
Joseph then gave a sweet shout out to his daughters Rosie and Junie while promising to read them Charlotte’s Web the next day.
The Pussycat Dolls joined forces with Busta Rhymes to perform a medley of their hits such as Buttons and Don’t Cha.
Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts turned heads wearing matching red latex looks for the performance.
Their reunion was announced earlier this year as they also dropped a new track titled Club Song.
Leon Thomas then won the next award for Breakthrough R&B Artist and is known for songs such as Mutt.
‘This is such an honor,’ he said. ‘R&B is home for me. The music that my family raised me on. Shout out to all the other people who were nominated tonight, all of you really inspire me. I love you all so much.’
Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts turned heads wearing matching red latex looks for the performance
Their reunion was announced earlier this year as they also dropped a new track titled Club Song
Leon Thomas then won the next award for Breakthrough R&B Artist and is known for songs such as Mutt
‘This is such an honor,’ he said. ‘R&B is home for me. The music that my family raised me on. Shout out to all the other people who were nominated tonight, all of you really inspire me. I love you all so much’
Thomas then dedicated the award to his fans ‘for sticking by my side.’
‘A lot of you grew up with me on Nickelodeon. I appreciate you all for rocking with me, for real.’
He notably appeared on the teen series Victorious from 2011-2013.
The music artist also dedicated the honor to his late stepfather before sending love to his fans once again.
Karol G then took to the AMAs stage for a performance before accepting the honor for International Artist Award of Excellence.
