KATSEYE celebrates three nominations at the 2026 American Music Awards, including New Artist of the Year, showcasing their rapid global rise. (Photo / HYBE-Geffen Records)
Rookie girl group KATSEYE has been nominated in three categories at the American Music Awards, marking a significant milestone in the group’s expanding presence in the global pop market.
According to the official nominee list announced on April 14 (local time), KATSEYE received nominations for New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video, and Breakthrough Pop Artist at the 2026 ceremony—one of the three major music awards events in the United States.
Competing with global newcomers and top-tier pop stars
In the New Artist of the Year category, KATSEYE stands alongside emerging international acts such as Alex Warren and Olivia Dean, placing the group among the most closely watched new artists in the industry.
The group also secured a nomination for Best Music Video with their track “Gnarly,” positioning them in direct competition with established global figures including Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter. The inclusion underscores both the commercial reach and visual impact of KATSEYE’s releases within a short period of time.
Rapid chart success strengthens global standing
The nomination for Breakthrough Pop Artist further reflects KATSEYE’s accelerated growth trajectory since debut. The group has placed three songs—“Gabriela,” “Internet Girl,” and “Gnarly”—on the Billboard Hot 100, a notable achievement for a newly debuted act entering the highly competitive US market.
Their second EP, BEAUTIFUL CHAOS, also reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200, further solidifying their presence on major industry benchmarks.
The American Music Awards selects nominees based on a combination of streaming performance, sales figures, and radio airplay, making it a key indicator of mainstream popularity in the United States. KATSEYE’s multi-category recognition suggests a broad-based appeal across these metrics.
Momentum builds following Grammy recognition
The latest nominations follow the group’s earlier recognition at the Grammy Awards, where they were nominated in two categories.
While the group has not released an official statement, the achievement reinforces their growing influence as a global act. It also highlights the increasing footprint of K-pop artists in Western award circuits.
As anticipation builds toward the awards ceremony, industry observers are closely watching the development. They note whether KATSEYE can convert their nominations into wins—an outcome that would further accelerate their position.
Allen Shin is an editor at Kpopbreaking.com, specializing in K-pop industry news, artist activities, and breaking developments.
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