Taylor Swift will not attend AMAs

Taylor Swift will not attend the 52nd American Music Awards on Monday, May 25, according to People, ending fan speculation that the singer might appear at the Las Vegas ceremony. Swift is still the show’s top nominee, with eight nominations tied to her 2025 album “The Life of a Showgirl” and related singles. The awards will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. CBS and Dick Clark Productions have also announced a special appearance by BTS. ### How was Swift’s absence reported? People reported on May 23 that Swift will not attend the ceremony, despite her place atop this year’s nominations. E! News separately reported that it had confirmed the same detail. Neither outlet, in the reports surfaced Saturday, gave a public reason for her absence. May 25 had become a focus for fans because Swift entered the ceremony as its leading nominee. Her absence means one of the show’s biggest draws will be offsite even as her name is expected to come up repeatedly during the broadcast. ### How many nominations does Swift have? Taylor Swift has eight nominations at the 2026 American Music Awards, according to nominations coverage published by Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter and other entertainment outlets. Those nominations include Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for “The Life of a Showgirl.” Billboard reported last month that Swift, already the top winner in AMAs history with 40 trophies, led the 2026 field. The same nominations coverage listed her ahead of a group of artists with seven nominations, including Sabrina Carpenter and Morgan Wallen. ### Why were fans expecting a possible appearance? Monday’s ceremony had drawn added attention because Swift’s nomination total, combined with the live setting, left open the possibility of an onstage appearance. Yahoo’s entertainment coverage on May 23 described her nonattendance as the biggest pre-show development. The fan interest also reflected Swift’s standing at the awards show. Billboard said she is already the most decorated artist in AMAs history, which made any appearance — or nonappearance — a notable pre-broadcast detail. ### What else has the show announced? CBS and Dick Clark Productions said on May 20 that BTS will make a special appearance at the ceremony. The announcement, carried on the AMAs site and Paramount Press Express, said the group’s appearance would mark its first award-show appearance in four years. The same release said Queen Latifah will host the 52nd American Music Awards. BTS are also nominated this year, adding another major act to the telecast even without Swift in the room. ### When and where is the ceremony? The 52nd American Music Awards will air live on Monday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+, according to CBS and Paramount Press Express. The ceremony will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. May 25 is Memorial Day in the United States, and CBS has positioned the show as a live holiday-night broadcast. Tickets were listed as available through AXS in the network announcement, while the televised ceremony remains scheduled for CBS and Paramount+ with Swift absent and BTS set to appear.