Taylor Swift led the pack with nine nominations at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, held Thursday night at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. The night had its surprises, like Swift and her fiancé Travis Kelce making their first awards show appearance together.
Swift Dominates Nominations and Spotlight
Taylor Swift showed she's still a major force in music, leading the nominations with nine nods. Her song “The Fate of Ophelia” was up for song of the year and best music video, while she also competed for artist of the year, a title she has won the past two years. The artist of the year category was stacked, featuring names like Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Benson Boone, and Kendrick Lamar.
Swift’s attendance marked her only awards show appearance this year. She arrived solo on the red carpet, dressed in a sparkly mint-green mini skirt and corset ensemble that caught plenty of eyes. Inside the Dolby Theatre, she was accompanied by fiancé Travis Kelce, marking their debut as a couple at a major awards ceremony.
Swift and Kelce’s Public Debut
Though they didn't pose together on the red carpet, Swift and Kelce sat side-by-side during the ceremony. Their relationship has drawn plenty of media attention since their engagement announcement in August 2025. Fans have seen glimpses of their romance over the past few years, including Kelce’s surprise appearance on stage during Swift’s 2024 London show.
Their presence at the awards signals how intertwined the worlds of entertainment and sports have become. Kelce, a star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, has been a regular at Swift’s concerts, while Swift often cheers him on at NFL games.
Other Top Nominees and Winners
Besides Swift, Alex Warren, Sabrina Carpenter, and Bad Bunny each received eight nominations. All were contenders for artist of the year alongside Swift and others like Chris Brown, Lady Gaga, and Morgan Wallen. The show also introduced fresh categories like favorite TikTok dance, favorite debut album, and favorite K-pop collaboration, reflecting how the music scene continues to evolve.
Host Ludacris, who kept the energy high throughout the night, was honored with the iHeartRadio Landmark Award. John Mellencamp received the Icon Award, while Miley Cyrus earned the Innovator Award.
Rising star Alex Warren took home the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award, highlighting the ceremony’s mix of legendary performers and new talent.
Performances That Turned Heads
The night featured performances from a diverse lineup. Warren, Mellencamp, Kehlani, Lainey Wilson, Ludacris, and British singer RAYE all took the stage. One of the most talked-about moments was the first-ever joint performance by TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue — a historic collaboration that celebrated the legacy of female hip-hop and R&B groups.
These performances mixed old-school vibes with fresh talent, celebrating music's history and the new artists changing the game.
When the 13th iHeartRadio Music Awards ended, it celebrated 2025's top hits and gave a glimpse of what to expect in 2026. Swift leading the nominations, new award categories, and standout collaborations showed how much the music scene is changing.
