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The seven member band from South Korea beat
veteran Taylor Swift, rapper Drake, pop singer Ariana Grande,
teen phenomenon Olivia Rodrigo and Canadian The Weeknd for the
night's biggest prize - artist of the year.
Adored by an army of fervent fans, they also were named favorite
pop group and won best pop song for their summer hit "Butter."
The band, known for its positive uplifting music, called the
artist of the year win a miracle.
"We're truly honored to be on this stage with such amazing,
tremendous artists," said Kim Nam-Joon, known as RM.
"It's been a long and amazing ride ... nobody could have ever
bet on the odds of us standing here and receiving this award,
except you all," he added referring to the band's fans.
BTS closed the show with a performance of "Butter" and earlier
joined Coldplay on stage for a rendition of their single "My
Universe," marking a post-pandemic return to live performances
for the K-pop band.
Swift was among several top nominated artists, including Ariana
Grande, The Weeknd, and Drake, who did not attend Sunday's
ceremony.
She took home the trophies for favorite female artist and best
pop album for her lockdown album "Evermore."
"I'm so lucky to be in your life, and to get to have you in
mine," Swift told fans in a video acceptance speech.
First-time host Cardi B pulled off a series of extravagant
costume changes and confessed she was worried about messing up.
"I'm a little nervous. I'm shaking," the "Bodak Yellow" rapper
said, sporting a head-to-toe black feather headdress, as she
opened the show.
Rodrigo, 18, who burst onto the charts in January, had gone into
Sunday's show with a leading seven nods, but ended up with just
one - best new artist.
Doja Cat picked up three awards, including for her "Kiss Me
More" collaboration with SZA. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion also
won three including favorite female hip-hop artist.
New Edition and New Kids on the Block brought some 1980s
nostalgia when they took the stage together to promote their
comebacks, Jennifer Lopez sang her new ballad "On My Way," and
Italian Eurovision song contest winners Maneskin delivered a
rock version of 1960s Four Seasons hit "Beggin'."
The nominees were based on Billboard music chart performance,
streaming and album sales, radio play and social media
engagement, and the winners were chosen entirely by fans.
(Editing by Gerry Doyle and Jacqueline Wong)
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