The American Music Awards (AMAs) have long been a celebration of commercial success, fan loyalty, and cultural impact. Yet, even with their reputation for honoring some of music’s most influential names, there are still notable gaps in the winner’s circle. Several high-profile artists—despite topping charts, breaking streaming records, and building devoted fanbases—have never taken home an AMA trophy. As the 2025 AMAs approach, it’s a fitting time to revisit some of the biggest names in music who are still waiting for their first win.
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Miley Cyrus
One of the most surprising artists on this list is Miley Cyrus. With a career spanning over a decade, and hits like “Party in the U.S.A.,” “Wrecking Ball,” and “Flowers,” Miley has made a lasting mark on pop culture. Still, she has never won an AMA. In fact, she’s only been nominated twice—both in 2009 for her work on the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack.
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter began her career in 2015 with the release of her debut album Eyes Wide Open. She’s come a long way since then, achieving a major breakthrough in 2022 with her fifth studio album, Emails I Can’t Send. Unfortunately, the AMAs were not held in 2023 and 2024. Now, the 26-year-old pop sensation is at the peak of her career following the release of Short n’ Sweet and global hits like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” At the 2025 AMAs, she’s nominated for six awards, with high hopes of taking home at least one.
Tate McRae
Like Sabrina, Tate McRae has established herself as a rising pop star over the past three years—during which the AMAs were on hiatus. However, she’s one of the most surprising snubs of the 2025 ceremony. Despite scoring one of 2023’s biggest hits with “Greedy” and releasing her sophomore album Think Later at the end of that year, she was left off the nominations list for the 51st American Music Awards. Notably, the eligibility period was based on data tracked by Billboard and Luminate between March 22, 2024, and March 20, 2025. “Greedy” topped the Billboard Pop Airplay Chart and reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey is one of the most influential artists of her generation. Her music has shaped the sound of the 2010s and continues to inspire countless artists across genres. Her discography includes timeless masterpieces like Born to Die, Ultraviolence, and Norman Fucking Rockwell!. Despite her critical acclaim and cultural impact, she has not only never won an AMA—she has never even received a nomination.
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