It was during Monday night (3.17) iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025 that Taylor Swift was the biggest winner.
Walking home with nine trophies at the Los Angeles’ fete at the Dolby Theater, the now 35-year-old pop star was honored with the lion’s share of awards including coveted Artist of the Year.
Though Swift was unable to attend the event, she pre-recorded an acceptance speech for the Tour of the Century prize for ‘The Eras Tour’, which marked the two-year anniversary of the mammoth trek that kicked off in Glendale, Arizona, on March 17, 2023. Breaking the record for highest-grossing tour of all time – including 149 shows in 51 cities -Taylor stated that it was “the most challenging thing” she’s ever done, adding:
“I really can’t tell you how much this means to me because I accept this on behalf of all my tour mates, my band, everyone who toured with us, our crew.” “People often say that sometimes the greatest challenges in life end up being something that you are so proud of or end up being the most gratifying feeling in the end if you can rise to the occasion. And this tour was absolutely the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
Insisting that it would have been impossible for her to “take on those challenges” without the support of her Swifties, the multi-Grammy award winner stated:
“It’s a three-and-a-half-hour show, more shows than I’ve ever done on a tour and it really was the most gratifying thing I’ve ever done. I think about that tour constantly. I’m so proud of it.” “And the only reason I was able to take on those challenges, among others, the ambition of the production, the length of the show, the amount of shows in all the different countries we played in, that’s all because of the fans.” “You had the passion and the generosity to care about travelling to see us on tour in all these places all over the world.” “It blows my mind.” “I’m never gonna stop being grateful for it. And I appreciate it more than you know.”
For bringing out her Kansas City Chiefs player boyfriend Travis Kelce at the Wembley Stadium show, Swift also won Favorite Surprise Guest and Favorite Tour Tradition for her surprise songs.
In addition to Taylor’s IHeartMusic prizes, SZA made history by becoming the first artist to win the R’n’B Artist of the Year prize three times following the 2023 and 2024 accolades.
Billie Eilish’s ‘Hit Me Hard And Soft’ was crowned Album of the Year, Lady Gaga received the Innovator Award and Mariah Carey was presented with the Icon Award, and Nelly received the iHeartRadio Landmark Award.
With performances by Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Kenny Chesney, Muni Long, Nelly and more, LL Cool J hosted the show
The following is an abridged list of the winners:
Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift
Album of the Year
Hit Me Hard And Soft — Billie Eilish
Album of the Year (Pop)
The Tortured Poets Department — Taylor Swift
Album of the Year (Hip-Hop)
We Don’t Trust You — Future and Metro Boomin
Album of the Year (Country)
F-1 Trillion — Post Malone
Album of the Year (Alternative)
Clancy — Twenty One Pilots
Album of the Year (Rock)
From Zero — Linkin Park
Album of the Year (R’n’B)
Coming Home — Usher
Album of the Year (Dance)
Brat — Charli XCX
Album of the Year (Latin/Urban Album of the year)
Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran — Shakira
Song of the Year
Beautiful Things- Benson Boone
Best Collaboration
Die With a Smile – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
Producer of the Year
Julian Bunetta
Songwriter of the Year
Amy Allen
Pop Song of the Year
“Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
Pop Artist of the Year
Sabrina Carpenter
Best New Artist (Pop)
Teddy Swims
Country Song of the Year
“I Had Some Help”- Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
Country Artist of the Year
Jelly Roll
Best New Artist (Country)
Shaboozey
Hip-Hop Song of the Year
“Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
GloRilla
Best New Artist (Hip-Hop)
BossMan Dlow
R’n’B Song of the Year
“Made for Me” – Muni Long
R’n’B Artist of the Year
SZA
Alternative Song of the Year
“Too Sweet” – Hozier
Alternative Artist of the Year
Green Day
Best New Artist (Alt and Rock)
Fontaines D.C.
Rock Song of the Year
“A Symptom of Being Human” – Shinedown
Rock Artist of the Year
Shinedown
Dance Song of the Year
“360” – Charli xcx
Dance Artist of the Year
David Guetta
K-pop Artist of the Year
ATEEZ
K-pop Song of the Year
“Who” – Jimin
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Gracie Abrams
World Artist of the Year
Tyla
Favorite Surprise Guest
Taylor Swift bringing out Travis Kelce
Favorite Tour Tradition
Taylor Swift – Surprise songs
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: Paolo Villanueva