The American Music Awards kicked off with K-pop stans power, noughties nostalgia and surprising snubs.Hosted this year by Queen Latifah, music's biggest fan-voted awards show received more votes than ever before."[These awards] are a statement about how much music matters," Latifah told the crowd.Taylor Swift led the night with eight nominations, while 80s rock star Billy Idol was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.Here are the other key moments:K-pop stans the real winnersKicking off the show to ear-deafening screams was simply a clip of BTS performing their hit Hooligan.But those screams were no match for the real performance from the K-pop group, which made its first US awards show appearance in four years.The group reunited last year when Suga was discharged from the South Korean military, becoming the group's seventh and final member to complete the country's mandatory national service.The group took home Song of the Summer for Swim and Artist of the Year, beating out Taylor Swift in both categories.BTS members Jungkook, V, Jin, RM, Suga, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS on stage. (Getty Images: Ethan Miller )"When we made this album we had a lot of pressure," said BTS member RM accompanied by the squeaks of a rubber ducky."We were were trying to figure out what kind of music felt like us at this time."In many ways it was a grand slam tonight for the K-pop genre, with K-pop Demon Hunters taking out Song of the Year for anthem Golden."This movie and this song is fuelled by the fans," Ejae told the crowd."You guys sealed the whole moon."" K-pop Demon Hunters would not be what it is without our passionate fandom," Rei Ami added.It is yet another gong for the Netflix phenomenon which also took out Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.Rei Ami and Ejae thank fans for yet another award for the Netflix phenomenon. (Getty Images: Ethan Miller)The Pussycat Dolls serve noughties flashbackYou could be forgiven for thinking you had tuned into a repeat instead of the 2026 show with presenters like Hilary Duff and and an Iris singalong led by Latifah.Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik and Queen Latifah lead an Iris singalong. (Getty Images: Ethan Miller )But perhaps the noughties highlight of the night was The Pussycat Dolls's first AMA's performance in 20 years.In matching red latex, akin to Britney's Oops! period, the Dolls served a mega-mix that included Don't Cha, When I Grow Up and even Busta Rhymes.It was an awards tone shift for the group's Nicole Scherzinger who last accepted a 2025 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.The performance also comes six years after a planned reunion was derailed by COVID and a legal dispute.Kimberly Wyatt, Nicole Scherzinger and Ashley Roberts of The Pussycat Dolls whipped out some of their hits. (Getty Images: Ethan Miller)Later in the night The Black Eyed Peas took out best throwback song for 2009 hit Rock That Body.The group, which announced an indefinite hiatus in 2011, laughed as they accepted the inaugural gong.Fergie thanked the social media creators who helped revive the song so "my son would put our song on his playlist".Other throwbacks included performances by New Kids On The Block and Hootie and the Blowfish.A subtle Sombr sweepBut it was sad boy Sombr that swept the show with Best Rock/Alternative Album and Best Rock/Alternative Song.Sombr, whose real name is Shane Michael Boose, took the accolades aboard with humility, recalling watching the awards show two years ago from his living room.Sombr accepts the Best Rock/Alternative Song award. (Getty Images: Ethan Miller )"I wouldn't be here without you, I love my fans," he said, before encouraging them to follow their dreams."It felt impossible to me so you can do it."He also wowed with a high-powered version of Homewrecker that climaxed with an onstage downpour.Less, less, less Billy IdolThe English rocker, recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award, also paid tribute to his fans."I've been able to live my dream and it's really all because of you," he said."When I started out in punk rock in 1976 we didn't know if it would last six months, let alone 50 years."To any kid out there who loves rock and roll or any music, pick an instrument, find out who you are and be it."Billy Idol received a Lifetime Achievement Award. (Getty: David Becker)Idol went straight from accepting his award to performing a medley of his hits with his long-time guitarist Steve Stevens.He definitely wasn't lip-synching and seemed, perhaps, a little nervous for the first few bars of Eyes Without a Face.But by the time he had wound through to Dancing With Myself, Idol had found his signature sneer and attitude.Maybe the biggest surprise was that the medley did not include his biggest hit Rebel Yell, leaving the audience in the midnight hour wanting more, more, more.Pinky up for KatseyeKatseye won New Artist of the Year, Best Vocal Performance and Best Music Video. (Getty Images: Gilbert Flores/Dick Clark Productions)Global girl group Katseye performed their high-energy hit Pinky Up and picked up three awards.They won New Artist of the Year, Best Vocal Performance and Best Music Video for Gnarly."We've always been on a mission to celebrate diversity and celebrate our cultures," Lara Raj said.The group was formed from the 2023 reality series Dream Academy, a Netflix doco following their every move.Taylor Swift was nominated for eight awards, followed by country singer Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean and Sombr with seven each.Sombr, however, was the only performer at the ceremony.Swift did not win a single award, beaten out by her former support act Sabrina Carpenter for Best Female Pop Artist, Best Pop Album and Album of the Year.