Janice Joostema, Yoonchae Jeong, Lara Raj, Sophia Laforteza and Megan Skiendiel of KATSEYE perform on stage at The 52nd American Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. Gilbert Flores/Dick Clark Productions
The American Music Awards celebrated some of the year’s best music Monday night (May 25) through a star-packed lineup of performances — including KATSEYE, BTS and more — in addition to the awards. And now that the 2026 ceremony is in the books, Billboard wants to know which showcase was your favorite.
The Bangtan Boys opened the ceremony, contributing a pre-filmed performance of “Hooligan” from their ongoing Arirang World Tour that set the energetic vibe for the rest of the night. Later, the members of BTS appeared in person at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to present SZA with best female R&B artist and accept artist of the year as well as song of the summer for “SWIM.”
New artist of the year winner KATSEYE also earned top marks — at least according to Billboard, which published its ranking of all the night’s performances shortly after the show concluded — with a colorful, choreography-packed rendition of new single “Pinky Up.” The girl group’s slot came amid other performances from Sombr, who sang his hit “Homewrecker”; Teyana Taylor, who treated the audience to “All of Your Heart”; Maluma, who played “Tu Recuerdo”; Riley Green, who crooned “Worst Way”; and Twenty One Pilots, who brought “Drag Path” to the stage.
Plus, Karol G was mesmerizing as she performed “Ivonny Bonita” moments before accepting the rare international artist of excellence honor and best Latin album for Tropicoqueta, while a number of other iconic acts demonstrated the power of nostalgia. The Pussycat Dolls, for instance, dazzled with a medley of 2000s hits “Buttons,” ”When I Grow Up” and ”Don’t Cha” (also sprinkling in a bit of new single “Club Song”) with Busta Rhymes and Spliff, while Hootie & the Blowfish charmed the crowd with 1990s classics “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You,” and New Kids on the Block threw it back to the ’80s with “You Got It (The Right Stuff).” Keith Urban tapped into the ’70s for a cover of Seals and Crofts’ “Summer Breeze,” and Billy Idol celebrated winning this year’s lifetime achievement award with a show-closing medley of “Eyes Without a Face” and ”Dancing With Myself.”
But which of those diverse performances was the best of the entire night? That’s up to you.
Vote for which artist had your favorite performance at the 2026 AMAs in the poll below.
