The biggest names in music took over Hollywood on Thursday night (March 26) for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, and trust us when we say the energy inside the Dolby Theatre was electric.
Hosted by hip-hop icon Ludacris, this year’s ceremony celebrated the artists and songs that dominated airwaves throughout 2025 while giving fans a preview of the hits that will define the year ahead. The show aired live on FOX and featured performances from Alex Warren, John Mellencamp, Kehlani, Lainey Wilson, RAYE, and a once-in-a-lifetime performance from TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue.
From emotional family tributes to surprise celebrity appearances (and even a little romance in the room), the Celeb Secrets team was in the audience soaking up every unforgettable second. Here are some of our favorite moments from the night.
Taylor Swift Dominates the Night with Seven Awards — and a Sweet Moment with Travis Kelce
If there was one artist who defined the night, it was Taylor Swift.
The pop superstar entered the show as the most-nominated artist and walked away with seven awards, including the coveted Artist of the Year trophy. Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu presented Swift with the final award of the evening while recapping her impressive list of wins, which included Album of the Year, Pop Album of the Year, Pop Song of the Year, Best Lyrics, Best Music Video, and Favorite Tour Style.
During her acceptance speech, Swift reflected on how songwriting began as a quiet hobby when she was a kid rushing home from school to play guitar.
“I hope you get to nurture your hobby and your passion,” she told the crowd. “Give yourself time to make mistakes and hone your craft.”
She also thanked her fans for their unwavering support, telling the audience they are the “reason any of this exists.”
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The singer even had a very special guest by her side—her fiancé, Travis Kelce —marking the couple’s award show debut together, which quickly became one of the most talked-about moments inside the theater. Though he skipped the red carpet, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end was spotted cheering Swift on from the audience, wrapping an arm around her during the show and even dancing along to RAYE’s performance.
Swift also gave Kelce a sweet shoutout while accepting Best Pop Album for The Life of a Showgirl, telling the crowd she feels “happy, confident and free” thanks in part to her fiancé, prompting loud cheers from the audience.
And in classic Swift fashion, the singer’s seafoam green corset look — which subtly nodded to her hit song “The Fate of Ophelia” — had fans buzzing long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Alex Warren Has a Breakout Night (and Transforms the Stage Into a Subway)
The rise of Alex Warren was impossible to ignore Thursday night, as he walked into the iHeartRadio Music Awards as one of the most-nominated artists — and walked out with one of the most talked-about wins.
The 25-year-old singer transformed the stage at the Dolby Theatre into a New York subway scene for a dynamic performance of his hits “Ordinary” and “Fever Dream,” instantly turning the crowd into a sing-along.
But the biggest moment came at the very end of the broadcast when Warren won Song of the Year for “Ordinary.” Cameras captured him hugging his wife Kouvr Annon in shock as the credits rolled — unfortunately cutting his acceptance speech short due to time constraints.
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Instead of taking the stage, Warren celebrated the win by sharing a photo with Annon on Instagram Stories while holding up the winning card that read “Song of the Year.”
Earlier in the ceremony, Warren accepted the Breakthrough Artist of the Year award with one of the evening’s most heartfelt speeches, reflecting on how surreal it felt to now be standing onstage after attending the show as a fan just a few years ago.
“To think I was in the crowd right over there about three years ago watching this, and now performing and standing on the stage is a strange feeling,” he said.
Warren also got candid about his difficult school years, joking that he was far from the “cool kid.”
“I was not a popular kid growing up,” he admitted. “I probably would have been voted most likely to not be a Breakthrough Artist by the entire school.”
The singer explained that he often played his own singing videos in class just to make other students laugh at him — a memory he shared to encourage viewers watching from home.
“If there’s anyone at home watching this right now that feels like they’re not good enough or that no one believes in them,” he said, “I do. Truly, I do. You’re going to be something amazing.”
He also thanked his wife — joking that without her he’d probably still be homeless — along with his team, fans, and record label before closing with an emotional tribute to his late parents.
“Truly, I know you’re watching down proud of the man I became,” he said. “I wake up every day hoping I sing a lyric loud enough for you to hear it… This is for you.”
TLC, Salt-N-Pepa & En Vogue Deliver the Ultimate Nostalgia Moment
If you asked the Celeb Secrets team which performance had the entire room buzzing, the answer would be unanimous.
When TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue hit the stage together for the first time ever, the audience instantly jumped to their feet.
The legendary girl groups delivered a powerhouse medley of classics—including “Waterfalls,” “Shoop,” “What A Man,” “Scrubs,” “Free Your Mind,” and “Push It.” Fans throughout the theater were singing every lyric, turning the moment into a full-blown nostalgic celebration.
With their upcoming tour on the horizon, the performance felt like a preview of something truly iconic—and easily one of the biggest crowd-pleasers of the night.
Miley Cyrus Receives the Innovator Award
One of the night’s most powerful tributes belonged to Miley Cyrus, who was honored with the Innovator Award — a recognition of her fearless evolution across music, pop culture, and beyond.
Country superstar Lainey Wilson had just wrapped up a crowd-pleasing performance when she returned to the stage to present the award, sharing a heartfelt introduction that highlighted Cyrus’ lasting impact. Wilson even revealed she once worked as a Hannah Montana impersonator, making the moment feel especially full circle.
“Miley Cyrus is what happens when fearlessness meets evolution,” Wilson told the audience inside the Dolby Theatre. “She didn’t just grow up in front of the world — she redefined herself in front of it over and over again.”
The country star went on to praise Cyrus for constantly pushing artistic boundaries. “She has never asked for permission,” Wilson added. “That’s what makes her the innovator she is.”
When Cyrus arrived on stage, she immediately brought humor to the moment, joking that someone should warn host Ludacris that the start of her speech “does not count as my 45 seconds.” The award came during a particularly nostalgic week for the pop icon, as fans are celebrating 20 years since Hannah Montana premiered — a role that helped launch her into global superstardom.
“This week celebrating 20 years of Hannah Montana has been a dream come true,” Cyrus told the audience. “My double denim and gold scarf thank you, because they’ve been waiting over a decade to leave the house.”
The singer also reflected on how the Disney series shaped her creative identity, explaining that the idea of performing as a persona gave her confidence as an artist.
“I fell in love with the idea that you can create a persona that gives you the courage to perform authentically,” she said. “Sometimes the fake you can actually reveal the real you.”
Cyrus then shared what innovation truly means to her — and it had little to do with trophies.
“Innovation for me hasn’t been about leaving who I’ve been behind, but about keeping the journey of finding myself a lot of fun,” she said. “I’ve always written songs and told stories because I love it… and winning awards for that work is rewarding, but it’s not my compass.”
She concluded with a heartfelt message to fans, adding that the real victory comes from creating music that connects with people.
“When the win isn’t recognition, but making art that reaches the hearts of people I may never meet, it brings me a kind of joy that is deeply meaningful,” Cyrus shared before smiling and adding, “This really is the life.”
The Innovator Award celebrates Cyrus’ two-decade impact on music and culture — from her early Disney Channel fame to becoming one of pop’s most daring and genre-blending artists. It also comes during a major chapter in her career following the release of her ninth studio album Something Beautiful and the continued success of her Grammy-winning era sparked by “Flowers.”
John Mellencamp’s Emotional Icon Award Tribute
Few moments felt as heartfelt as the tribute to John Mellencamp, who received the Icon Award.
The rock legend was introduced by his daughter Teddi Mellencamp, who grew emotional while speaking about her father’s support during her personal health battles and how his music has always been a source of strength.
“Tonight we celebrate the career of my dad, John Mellencamp,” she told the audience, holding back tears. “He’s being honored as an icon, a legend, a hitmaker — but to me he’ll always be dad.”
The emotional tribute took on even deeper meaning as Teddi reflected on her ongoing health battle. The reality star revealed in 2025 that she had been diagnosed with stage four melanoma after previously undergoing numerous surgeries for skin cancer.
Recalling the difficult moments after learning the disease had spread, she shared just how much her father stepped up during the most challenging time of her life.
“He stepped up, took control, fought for me, and pretty much changed my life — saved my life,” she said through tears.
Teddi also reflected on how her father’s music has been a constant presence throughout her life. While millions of fans connect to classics like “Jack & Diane” or “Hurts So Good,” she revealed that another song holds a much more personal meaning for her.
“For me, ‘Longest Days’ has been the song that means the most,” she said, referencing lyrics about perseverance through life’s toughest moments.
In a touching twist, Mellencamp handed the award right back to his daughter, dedicating it to her before reflecting on his 50-year career in music. The emotional exchange brought the entire theater to its feet.
“I’ve been doing this 50 years and I’ve enjoyed most of it,” he joked before offering advice to young musicians watching the show. “There’s nothing closer to heaven than writing a song, hearing it on the radio, or performing it for people.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee then capped off the moment with a stripped-down acoustic performance of two of his most beloved hits — “Jack & Diane” and “Pink Houses.”
Ludacris Proves Why He’s a Legend
As if hosting the night wasn’t enough, Ludacris also had one of the biggest personal moments of the evening when he received the Landmark Award, recognizing his decades-long impact on music and culture.
The honor was presented by his Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel, which made the moment feel even more full-circle for fans of the blockbuster franchise. The two shared a warm exchange on stage inside the Dolby Theatre, celebrating a career that has stretched across music, film, and pop culture for more than two decades.
In his acceptance speech, the Grammy-winning rapper—born Christopher Bridges—made sure to shine a spotlight on the many collaborators who helped shape his journey.
“This particular award is one of those things where I work hard, but I absolutely don’t do it myself,” he said, thanking everyone from mixing engineers and producers to DJs, stylists, managers, and label executives who helped bring his vision to life.
The speech also included one of the night’s funniest moments when his own iconic “Luda!” vocal tag suddenly blasted through the speakers to signal that his time on stage was running out.
“They’re using me against me right now,” he joked, drawing laughs from the audience.
Before wrapping up, Ludacris gave heartfelt thanks to his wife Eudoxie Bridges, his fans, and everyone who has supported him throughout his 25-year career — while also dropping a surprise tease that had the room buzzing.
“I thank y’all for 25 years,” he said. “I’m coming back with new music.”
Later in the night, the hip-hop legend proved exactly why he earned the honor when he returned to the stage for a high-energy medley of fan favorites including “Rollout (My Business),” “Money Maker,” “My Chick Bad,” “Stand Up,”and “Move B****. The performance quickly turned the theater into a full-on party as fans jumped to their feet and rapped along to the early-2000s classics.
The moment served as a reminder of Ludacris’ massive legacy — from his breakout album Back for the First Time in 2000 to multi-platinum releases like Word of Mouf, Chicken-n-Beer, and The Red Light District, along with his scene-stealing role as Tej Parker in the Fast & Furious franchise.
A Night Celebrating Music’s Biggest Stars
Beyond the night’s viral moments, the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards delivered exactly what fans expect each year: incredible performances, emotional tributes, and the celebration of the artists shaping today’s music landscape.
Performances from Kehlani, RAYE, and Lainey Wilson kept the energy flowing throughout the evening, while appearances from stars like NE-YO, Weezer, Nicole Scherzinger, sombr, Nikki Glaser and Donnie Wahlberg added even more star power to the celebration.
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From hearing nostalgic throwbacks to emotional speeches and witnessing some major breakout star moments, the night proved why the iHeartRadio Music Awards remain one of music’s most exciting celebrations. And from our seats inside the Dolby Theatre, one thing was clear: 2026 is already shaping up to be an unforgettable year in music.
2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards – Full Winners’ List
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“Ordinary” – Alex Warren
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Taylor Swift
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“The Life of a Showgirl” – Taylor Swift
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The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI
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“APT.” – ROSEì & Bruno Mars
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Sabrina Carpenter
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“The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
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“The Life of a Showgirl”- Taylor Swift
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Alex Warren
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twenty one pilots
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“Ensenada” – Sublime
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“I Barely Know Her” – sombr
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sombr
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Shinedown
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“Heavy Is the Crown” – Linkin Park
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Sleep Theory
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Morgan Wallen
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“Good News” – Shaboozey
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“I’m The Problem” – Morgan Wallen
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Ella Langley
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David Guetta
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“No Broke Boys” – Disco Lines & Tinashe
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“MAYHEM” – Lady Gaga
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ROSEì
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Stray Kids
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“Golden” – The Singing Voice of HUNTR/X: EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI
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“Ruby” – Jennie
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Cortis
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Kendrick Lamar
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“luther” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
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“GNX”– Kendrick Lamar
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MOLIY
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Chris Brown
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“Folded” – Kehlani
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“PHOLKS”- Leon Thomas
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Leon Thomas
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MOLIY
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Bad Bunny
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“DtMF” – Bad Bunny
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“Debí Tirar Más Fotos”– Bad Bunny
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Beéle
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Grupo Frontera
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“Amor Bonito” – Luis Angel “El Flaco”
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“111XPANTIA” – Fuerza Regida
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Los Dos De Tamaulipas
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Andrew Watt
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Amy Allen
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Interscope Capitol
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The Weeknd
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“The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
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“The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
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Rahul Bhatt for KATSEYE
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Jimin and Jungkook, “Are You Sure?!”
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“KPop Demon Hunters”
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Taylor Swift, “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour”
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“MONA LISA” – j-hope
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Coldplay, Crowd cam
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“Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel)” – j-hope, Miguel
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Tom Felton, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”
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Alex Warren, “You’ll Be Alright, Kid”
With reporting by Stephanie Myara. For more on iHeartRadio, click here.
