The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards were a night to cherish, honoring the biggest stars in the music world, honoring the biggest stars in the music world. It took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 17, bringing artists from various genres together to celebrate their success. Hosted by LL Cool J, the event included moving speeches, unforgettable performances, and some unexpected wins.
Special Honors
Mariah Carey was given the Icon Award, commemorating her illustrious career as a singer, songwriter, and producer. In accepting the award, she praised her fans for their support.
Lady Gaga received the Innovator Award for music and activism contributions. She spoke about ageism in the entertainment industry and declared, “I’m just getting started!“
Nelly received the Landmark Award in commemoration of his 25th anniversary of Country Grammar, his first album. He was brought on stage by his wife, Ashanti, and did a throwback medley of some of his top hits.
Big Winners of the Night
Taylor Swift dominated the night, winning nine awards, including Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year for The Tortured Poets Department. Her Eras Tour was also voted the Tour of the Century.
Gracie Abrams won Breakthrough Artist of the Year, a huge milestone in her burgeoning career.
Major Category Winners
Song of the Year – Beautiful Things by Benson Boone
Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift
Best Collaboration – Die with a Smile by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
Best New Artist – Teddy Swims
Pop Song of the Year – Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
Pop Artist of the Year – Sabrina Carpenter
Genre Awards
Country Song of the Year – I Had Some Help by Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen
Country Artist of the Year – Morgan Wallen
Hip-Hop Song of the Year – Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year – Kendrick Lamar
R&B Song of the Year – Made for Me by Muni Long
R&B Artist of the Year – SZA
Alternative Song of the Year – Too Sweet by Hozier
Alternative Artist of the Year – Green Day
Unforgettable Performances
The night featured some show-stopping performances:
- Billie Eilish opened the show with a soulful performance.
- Bad Bunny got the crowd hyped with EoO and even jumped into the audience for a crowd-surfing moment.
- Nelly took fans on a trip down memory lane with his greatest hits, including Hot in Herre.
Red Carpet Highlights
The fashion on the red carpet did not disappoint:
- Taylor Swift wore a silver snake choker, fueling speculation about a 2017 Reputation re-release.
- Gracie Abrams and Benson Boone showed off stylish looks that reflected their artistic personalities.
A Night to Remember
Improve flow and readability by making the connections smoother: It was a celebration of music, artistry, and devotion. From sincere speeches to breathtaking performances, the show reminded every person in attendance why music still brings them all together.
