BTS wins big at the 2021 AMAs; becomes first Asian artists to bag AOTY

Pop megastars BTS took home the biggest award of the night last weekend, winning Artist of the Year at the 2021 American Music Awards. It makes them the first Asians to receive the award.

BTS wins big at the 2021 AMAs; becomes first Asian artists to bag AOTY
Photo from Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

The seven-member boy band swept all three categories they were nominated in, also bagging Favorite Pop Duo or Group and Favorite Pop Song for their summer smash hit “Butter.” The event, hosted by Cardi B at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, was a special one, seeing as it was BTS‘ first interaction with audiences in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fans were eager to see the internationally famous K-pop group, showering them with loud chants of “BTS!” during the entirety of the show.

During their acceptance speech, group leader RM made sure to let the audience know that they were appreciative of the award. “Seven boys from Korea, united by love for music, met the love and support from all the ARMYs all over the world,” he said. “This whole thing is a miracle. Seriously, we would never take this for granted.”

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Photo from Reuters

Rapper Suga also shared his gratitude, speaking in his mother tongue. “We first had our American debut fours years ago at the AMAs, and we really didn’t expect to win the Artist of the Year award like this,” he stated. “We think it’s all thanks to ARMY. Thank you, ARMY!”

The group later closed the show with a smooth performance of “Butter,” after sharing the stage earlier with Coldplay for “My Universe.”

Other big winners that night included Oliva Rodrigo for New Artist of the Year, Ed Sheeran for Favorite Male Pop Artist, and Taylor Swift for Favorite Female Pop Artist and Favorite Pop Album for evermore. Swift’s two awards this year breaks her own record of winning the most AMAs, raising her tally to 34.

Art Daniella Sison

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