KATSEYE Sweeps Categories at 2026 American Music Awards

The global pop group KATSEYE achieved a major milestone at the 2026 American Music Awards on Monday, winning all three awards for which they were nominated during the ceremony in Las Vegas. The group secured the trophies for New Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Pop Artist, and Best Music Video for their single "Gnarly."

The wins capped a breakout year for the quintet, who were formed through the joint HYBE and Geffen Records audition project The Debut: Dream Academy. In their acceptance speech, members expressed gratitude to their fans, known as EYEKONS, and their families. Member Yoonchae Jeong said she was thankful to celebrate the moment with her fellow members. Group leader Sophia Laforteza also thanked fellow HYBE artists BTS, stating they had inspired KATSEYE to represent their cultures on a global scale.

The ceremony also featured the group's first televised U.S. performance, a vibrant rendition of their latest single "Pinky Up." The elaborate staging involved the members emerging from a giant pink teddy bear to interrupt a whimsical tea-party set, performing amid a cascade of colors and floating stuffed animals. The performance marked their first awards show appearance...