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Even though Taylor Swift did not attend the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs) held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, she was one of the biggest nominees of the night with a total of eight nominations.
However, the night ended very differently than many swifties might've expected, as The Life of a Showgirl singer did not win a single category at the 2026 AMAs.
Even with nominations in major categories such as Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year, Taylor Swift went home empty-handed. That surprised a lot of her fans, especially because Swift holds the record as the most-awarded artist in AMA history with a total of 40 wins.
Taylor Swift led the 2026 AMAs nomination list but did not take home any award
Taylor Swift had the most nominations at the 2026 AMAs. Her album The Life of a Showgirl and songs like “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Elizabeth Taylor” were all over the major nominated categories.
Swifties expected the singer to take home at least one win because the AMAs are completely fan-voted, and they're also the award show where the singer has had most of her wins before.
However, the 2026 AMAs belonged to other equally amazing artists.
BTS (after their 4-year hiatus due to their military enrollment) grabbed the biggest award of the night with Artist of the Year. Sabrina Carpenter had a huge blast too, winning Best Female Pop Artist, Best Pop Album, as well as Album of the Year for Man’s Best Friend.
Meanwhile, as expected, “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters kept winning against Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” in other multiple categories.
Taylor Swift also did not attend the 2026 AMAs. While Queen Latifah hosted the award ceremony and artists such as Billy Idol, BTS, Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes, KATSEYE, and New Kids on the Block were in attendance during the live broadcast, Swift decided to skip the event.
The result felt especially surprising because Taylor Swift had just dominated the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards earlier this year, where she picked up seven wins with The Life of a Showgirl era.
Every Taylor Swift nomination at the 2026 AMAs and who won instead
Category 1: Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift was nominated along with BTS, Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, and others. However, BTS ended up taking the win for Artist of the Year at the 2026 AMAs.
The rest of the artists contending for Artist of the Year included:
- Bad Bunny
- Harry Styles
- Justin Bieber
- Lady Gaga
- Morgan Wallen
Category 2: Album of the Year
At the 2026 AMAs, Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl lost to Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, which was also one of the night’s biggest winners.
Other contenders for Album of the Year included:
- Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?
- Justin Bieber – SWAG
- Fuerza Regida – 111xpantia
- Lady Gaga – Mayhem
- Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
- Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem
- Tate McRae – So Close To What
- Playboi Carti – MUSIC
Category 3: Song of the Year
“The Fate of Ophelia” from The Life of a Showgirl was nominated at the 2026 AMAs, but “Golden” by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami from KPop Demon Hunters won the Song of the Year instead.
Other contenders for Song of the Year included:
- Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- Leon Thomas – “MUTT”
- Kehlani – “Folded”
- Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
- sombr – “back to friends”
Category 4: Best Music Video
Taylor Swift missed out again here with “The Fate of Ophelia” as KATSEYE’s “Gnarly” took the win for the Best Music Video at the 2026 AMAs.
Other contenders for Best Music Video included:
- Tyla – “CHANEL”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- ROSALÍA, Björk, Yves Tumor – “Berghain”
Category 5: Song of the Summer
Taylor Swift’s “Elizabeth Taylor” was nominated in one of the most talked-about fan-voted categories. However, BTS ended up winning with “SWIM.”
Other contenders for Song of the Summer included:
- Alex Warren – “FEVER DREAM”
- Bella Kay – “iloveitiloveitiloveit”
- Harry Styles – “American Girls”
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide”
- sombr – “Homewrecker”
- PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
- Tame Impala, JENNIE – “Dracula”
Category 6: Best Female Pop Artist
Sabrina Carpenter beat Taylor Swift, Olivia Dean, Lady Gaga, and Tate McRae in the Best Female Pop Artist category at the 2026 AMAs.
Category 7: Best Pop Song
“The Fate of Ophelia” lost once again to “Golden,” which clearly became a major favorite during the night.
Other contenders for Best Pop Song included:
- Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
- Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Category 8: Best Pop Album
Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl was nominated, but Sabrina Carpenter continued her winning streak with Man’s Best Friend at the 2026 AMAs.
Other contenders for Best Pop Album included:
- Lady Gaga – Mayhem
- Tate McRae – So Close To What
- Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
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