KATSEYE, HUNTR/X and Sombr Sweep 3 AMAs Each as Taylor Swift Goes 0-for-8

Q: Who is the mystery artist with 40 past wins leading this year's AMA nominations?

Taylor Swift is the mystery artist. She leads the 2026 American Music Awards nominations with eight nods and is the most-awarded artist in AMA history, with 40 career wins. The additional reporting identifies her as the artist behind the unnamed album and songs referenced in the preview, matching the description of the record-setting nominee up for Album of the Year, Best Pop Album, Artist of the Year, and Best Female Pop Artist. In short, the artist with 40 past AMA wins leading this year’s field is Taylor Swift.

3 articles · Updated · Billboard · May 26

Three wins apiece made KATSEYE, HUNTR/X and Sombr the night’s breakout leaders at the 2026 American Music Awards in Las Vegas, while Taylor Swift failed to convert any of her eight nominations.
Swift’s shutout was the biggest upset because the 40-time AMA winner entered as the most-nominated artist; Olivia Dean, Alex Warren and Lady Gaga were also blanked despite six or more nods.
Other surprises reshaped major categories: KATSEYE beat recent Grammy best new artist Olivia Dean for new artist, Sombr took rock/alternative album over three former No. 1 albums, and Megan Moroney denied Morgan Wallen favorite country album again.
The results underscored a broad, genre-spanning field—Shakira won tour of the year, Tyla took social song, and groups claimed an unusually large share of the top prizes.