LAS VEGAS — The American Music Awards took over the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Monday, with K-pop group BTS making a headline return from hiatus. The band opened the night with a pre-recorded performance and won Artist of the Year, drawing loud reactions from fans throughout the broadcast.
“Everyone is belting out their songs during commercial breaks,” Taryn Ryder of Yahoo reported from inside the event. “I don’t know the last time I’ve seen anything like this at an awards show.”
Queen Latifah hosted the ceremony, arriving on the red carpet in a floor-length fur coat despite 94-degree temperatures. The show featured a mix of nostalgia acts, including Hootie & the Blowfish and New Kids on the Block, as well as current performers such as Karol G, Maluma, Teddy Swims, Teyana Taylor and Twenty One Pilots.
Presenters ranged from musicians Hilary Duff and Ludacris, to actors Meg Stalter and Paul W. Downs, comedians Nikki Glaser and Matt Rife, and several reality TV personalities.
BTS took home the night’s top honors, winning Artist of the Year over Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles and Lady Gaga. The group also claimed Song of the Summer for “Swim” and Best Male K-pop Artist.
“We made it once again,” BTS member RM told the crowd. He thanked the group’s fans, saying, “You have stood by us for the past 13 years.”
Other winners included Bruno Mars, Katseye, Sombr, Sabrina Carpenter, and Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami from KPop: Demon Hunters, each winning three awards. Ejae also won Best Soundtrack, bringing her total to four.
Taylor Swift, with eight nominations, did not win in any category.
Billy Idol received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
