The iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026 return on March 26. With less than 24 hours to go before the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, the conversation has already narrowed to a handful of dominant names—and one clear frontrunner.
Taylor Swift enters the night with nine nominations, leading all artists and positioning herself as the likely central figure of the broadcast. Airplay and streaming data from 2025 heavily influence most categories, a metric that has consistently favored Swift, especially after the release of her record-breaking The Life of a Showgirl. Her presence at the ceremony further strengthens her potential dominance.
Close behind, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and Alex Warren each secured eight nominations. Elsewhere, Kendrick Lamar and SZA remain strong contenders in hip-hop and R&B categories.
Fan-voted categories add a layer of unpredictability, particularly in socially driven awards where online mobilization can outweigh traditional metrics. Eleven awards will be decided directly by fans, often favoring artists with highly organized digital communities rather than those leading in airplay totals.
For a full breakdown of projected winners across the biggest categories—including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and pop genre fields—explore our detailed predictions below.
Song of the Year: “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
Serving as the lead single from Swift’s new album The Life of a Showgirl, “The Fate of Ophelia” was a massive hit, dominating the final stretch of 2025 ahead of the Christmas season. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with record-shattering streaming numbers, spent nine or more weeks at the top, and led radio airplay charts such as Pop Airplay and Hot AC. The iHeartRadio Music Awards heavily reward songs with sustained radio dominance and overall platform impact. “The Fate of Ophelia” also racked up multiple nominations, including Pop Song of the Year, Best Lyrics, and Best Music Video. Swift has a long history of dominance at this awards ceremony, standing as the most-awarded artist in iHeart history (34 wins).
Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Once again, Swift’s dominance was evident in 2025. She is the most-nominated artist this year and has a proven track record at these awards. The category considers overall airplay, streaming, and cultural influence across iHeart stations. While competitors like Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar had huge years with notable releases, Swift’s combination of radio-friendly hits, global impact, and her special appearance at the show could tip the scales in her favor.
Pop Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
This category serves as a genre-specific extension of Artist of the Year, focusing on pop radio performance. “The Fate of Ophelia” was a dominant force on Pop Airplay, and Swift’s broader 2025 output translated into heavy rotation across formats.
Pop Song of the Year: “Golden” – HUNTR/X, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami
“Golden,” from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, became a genuine global phenomenon in 2025. The track made history at the Academy Awards, winning Best Original Song. It achieved massive streaming success, spending over 70 days at No. 1 on the global Spotify chart, while generating widespread cultural buzz. The song also topped Pop Airplay charts, making it a strong contender in the category—even with “The Fate of Ophelia” in the race.
Best New Artist (Pop): Alex Warren
Alex Warren is already confirmed to receive the Breakthrough Artist of the Year honor at this year’s ceremony and is also scheduled to perform. His hit “Ordinary” spent an extraordinary number of weeks at No. 1 on Mediabase charts, setting records for radio dominance. This level of sustained airplay aligns perfectly with what the iHeartRadio Music Awards tend to reward. In the pop-specific Best New Artist category, Warren’s rapid rise and loyal fanbase position him as a clear frontrunner.
Duo/Group of the Year: HUNTR/X, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami
HUNTR/X, the vocal trio behind KPop Demon Hunters, built explosive momentum with “Golden.” If their collective airplay, streaming performance, and overall group impact registered strongly across iHeart platforms, they could edge out established acts like Linkin Park, Maroon 5, or Twenty One Pilots in this category.
Best Collaboration: “APT.” – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
“APT.” was one of the biggest global hits of 2024 and extended its success well into 2025. It earned multiple Grammy nominations and emerged as the best-selling single of the year according to the IFPI. Its infectious energy and consistent radio rotation throughout the year make it a strong frontrunner in the category.
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