KATSEYE’s tearful BTS tribute sends fans into meltdown

K-pop’s newest queens had their massive main-character moment at the 2026 American Music Awards, and they made sure to honour the legends who inspired them along the way. 

Rising girl group KATSEYE stunned fans after scooping the coveted New Artist of the Year prize on Monday night, beating a packed line-up including Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean and Alex Warren.

The emotional win quickly turned into a love letter to fellow superstars BTS, with member Sophia Laforteza thanking the chart-topping icons for inspiring the group “to represent our culture at a global scale”. 

The heartfelt speech had fans online melting within minutes.

Each member shared a short but touching message as they celebrated their history-making victory. 

KATSEYE have officially become the first girl group ever to win the AMAs’ New Artist of the Year award since the category launched back in 2004, proving the group’s explosive rise is only just beginning.

Earlier in the evening, the girls lit up the stage with a fierce performance of their latest hit Pinky Up, which has already stormed the Billboard Hot 100. 

Complete with razor-sharp choreography and high-energy visuals, the performance teased their upcoming EP WILD, due out in August.

Meanwhile, BTS also dominated the night, opening the ceremony with a fiery performance of Hooligan before later collecting Song of the Summer for SWIM and the massive Artist of the Year award.

With KATSEYE gearing up for their huge Wildworld Tour across Europe and North America later this year, fans are already predicting the group could become the next global pop phenomenon.

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