Hitmakers from every genre gathered at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday night (March 17) for the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

This star-studded event shines a spotlight on the most-played artists and songs across iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2024. Fan favorites like Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, GloRilla, and Benson Boone received well-deserved recognition for their exceptional talent. The 12th annual show also saw Lady Gaga honored with the Innovator Award, Mariah Carey receiving the Icon Award, and Nelly taking home the Landmark Award.

Hosted by LL Cool J, the evening was filled with electrifying performances from Gracie Abrams, Kenny Chesney, Bad Bunny, Muni Long, and more. Several hitmakers had a major night – Billie Eilish took home Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft, while SZA made history by winning R&B Artist of the Year for the third consecutive year, setting a new record. Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour was crowned Tour of the Century, and she also won Artist of the Year. Boone grabbed Song of the Year with "Beautiful Things," Carpenter was honored with Pop Artist of the Year, and Jelly Roll scored Country Artist of the Year.

While many award shows can feel drawn out, this ceremony kept viewers on the edge of their seats, eager for more. If you missed it, don't worry – Fandom Daily has all the highlights.

Here are the top five moments you need to share in your group chat to stay up to date with everything pop culture.

Lady Gaga Accepts Innovator Award And Teases More Music 

Lady Gaga received the Innovator Award, a huge moment for her and her fans, the Little Monsters. In her acceptance speech, she reflected on her 30-year career, expressing that despite being in her late 30s, she's far from finished. 

"On the one hand, I feel like I've been doing this forever, and on the other hand, I know I'm just getting started," she said. "So even though the world might consider a woman in her late 30s old for a pop star, which is insane, I promise that I'm just getting warmed up."

Gaga emphasized that innovation comes from authenticity and staying true to oneself, even in a world that often discourages it. She thanked her inspirations, including Carole King, Madonna, and Tony Bennett, and gave a heartfelt tribute to the LGBTQ+ community for teaching her bravery. This recognition signifies that Gaga's impact on music and culture is only beginning, making it a massive milestone for her devoted fans.

Mariah Carey Confirms Her Icon Status With A Hilarious Acceptance Speech

Mariah Carey once again proved why she's a true icon, leaving her fans – the Lambs – completely unfazed by her larger-than-life personality. While her live tribute featuring Muni Long and Tori Kelly may have left her unimpressed, her acceptance speech for the Icon Award was pure Mariah Carey. She demanded perfect lighting, cracked jokes about the music industry's pre-digital era, and threw a playful jab at her ex-husband, Tommy Mottola. Careful not to let her humor overshadow her humility, she gave heartfelt thanks to her late mother and loyal fans before sharing an emotional moment with her family in the audience.

"Is the lighting ok cause I don't like bad lighting," declared Carey. "As a kid, I used to listen to my favorite artists on the radio and dream of being on the airwaves myself. Now, for those of you who may not know what airwaves are, think of it as the non-WiFi of streaming."

Taylor Swift Spark' Reputation (Taylor's Version)' Rumors

Swifties are on high alert, could Reputation (Taylor's Version) be next? After a brief break from the spotlight post-Super Bowl, Taylor Swift made a virtual appearance at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, where her Eras Tour was crowned "Tour of the Century." While her outfit was understated, fans couldn't ignore one major clue: a snake necklace, a clear nod to her Reputation era. With only Reputation and her 2006 debut left to re-record, Swifties are convinced the snake is slithering back soon. Swifties are convinced that Taylor Swift's snake necklace isn't just a fashion statement, it's an easter egg. Even Flavor Flav took notice, cryptically posting, "That necklace tho. If ya know, ya know."

Nelly's High-Energy Mashup 

Nelly turned up the heat at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 17, delivering a fiery mashup of his biggest hits like "Country Grammar," "Ride With Me," and "Hot in Herre." Dressed in all white, he set the stage on fire while giving fans a taste of his upcoming Where The Party At tour, kicking off later this month in New Zealand. It was a huge night for Nelly, who was also honored with the 2025 iHeartRadio Landmark Award for shaping culture with his iconic albums. With over 75 million units sold worldwide, Nelly has earned his place as one of the best-selling rap artists ever.

Gracie Abrams Wins Breakthrough Artist Of The Year 

Gracie Abrams is having an incredible breakout year, and it just got even better! The 25-year-old singer-songwriter snagged the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award. Before accepting the honor, she performed her emotional hit "That's So True," then gave a heartfelt shoutout to friends like Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, who've supported her along the way. In her acceptance speech, Gracie shared a message of positivity in tough times and thanked her loyal fans for their unwavering support.

Photo Credit: @iheartradio on Instagram.