Fans determined several of the event's initial winners on Monday at the American Music Awards, where trophies are allocated based on popular vote. Among the early recipients was indie artist Sombr, who took home the award for best rock/alternative song for "Back to Friends." The 20-year-old accepted the prize onstage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Reflecting on the track, Sombr told the audience that he wrote the song while he was 19 and experiencing loneliness and depression in his bedroom, and expressed surprise at standing on the awards stage. His remarks underscored the personal background he said informed the song.
Song of the year was awarded to "Golden," an upbeat number featured in the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." One of the vocalists associated with the fictional group HUNTR/X in the movie, EJAE, reacted with visible astonishment upon the announcement, exclaiming expressions of disbelief and thanking fans for their votes.
The program opened with a live segment featuring K-pop band BTS. Dressed uniformly in black outfits and wearing black sunglasses, the group performed "Hooligan" from their Vegas stop on the Arirang Tour. Host Queen Latifah responded to that opening number by shouting from the stage that "The energy is crazy in here!"
Heading into the ceremony, Taylor Swift carried the most nominations with eight. Swift was listed among contenders for artist of the year, alongside Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and others. Her album "The Life of a Showgirl" was nominated for album of the year.
The show was televised live on CBS and made available on Paramount+. The early awards and spectacle in Las Vegas reflected fan-driven results and a lineup of performances and nominees that framed the evening.
- Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas.
- Broadcast: Live on CBS and on Paramount+.
- Notable winners: Sombr (best rock/alternative song), "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters (song of the year).