You really can’t make this stuff up. One minute you're breaking every record in human history with a tour that basically funded several small countries, and the next, you're looking at a total shutout. That's exactly what went down with AMAs 2025 Taylor Swift fans.
It was supposed to be her night. Honestly, the script was already written. Taylor was coming off the back of The Tortured Poets Department and the absolute behemoth that was the Eras Tour. The 2025 American Music Awards, held on May 26 at the glitzy Fontainebleau Las Vegas, felt like it was going to be a victory lap. Instead, the "queen of the AMAs" walked away with exactly zero trophies.
The Shocking Shutout Nobody Expected
Going into the night, Taylor Swift held 40 AMA wins. That is a record that likely won't be touched in our lifetime. She was nominated in six major categories:
- Artist of the Year
- Favorite Female Pop Artist
- Favorite Touring Artist
- Album of the Year
- Favorite Pop Album
- Collaboration of the Year (for "Fortnight" with Post Malone)
Most experts—and definitely most Swifties—assumed she’d at least nab Favorite Touring Artist. I mean, come on. It’s the Eras Tour. But in a twist that left the internet in a literal meltdown, Billie Eilish swept nearly every single one of those categories. Billie took home Artist of the Year and both album awards for HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. Even the collaboration category went to Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars for their massive hit "Die With A Smile."
🔗 Read more: Blink-182 Mark Hoppus: What Most People Get Wrong About His 2026 Comeback
It was her first total awards show shutout in 18 years. Let that sink in for a second. The last time this happened, most of us were still using iPod Nanos.
Where Was Taylor?
The biggest question on everyone’s mind wasn’t just "why did she lose?" but "where is she?"
Taylor Swift did not attend the 2025 AMAs. This sparked a frenzy of theories. Some fans were convinced she was skipping the red carpet to pull a surprise "Reputation (Taylor's Version)" announcement. People were analyzing her merch store—pointing out that the sale categories (Apparel, Music, Accessories, Sale) spelled out "AMAs." They even noted that some items were 26% off, which matched the date of the show, May 26.
💡 You might also like: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
But the stage stayed empty. No snake videos. No black-and-white hoodies. No "Taylor's Version" reveal.
Actually, the real reason she stayed away might be a lot more human. Reports suggested she wanted to avoid the spotlight following the drama surrounding the It Ends With Us press cycle and her friendship with Blake Lively. Others pointed out she’d just been seen on a low-key date with Travis Kelce in West Palm Beach, Florida, a few days prior. Basically, she might just have wanted a break. She’s been on the road or in a studio for years. Can you blame her?
A Changing Guard or Just a Fluke?
Some industry insiders are calling the AMAs 2025 Taylor Swift results a "changing of the guard." It’s a bit dramatic, sure. Billie Eilish had a phenomenal year, and the fan-voted nature of the AMAs means that sometimes the "momentum" of a newer release like HIT ME HARD AND SOFT can edge out a record-breaker like TTPD.
📖 Related: Why La Mera Mera Radio is Actually Dominating Local Airwaves Right Now
But let's be real. Taylor is still the biggest artist on the planet. Even without a 2025 AMA win, she’s already dominating the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations with nine nods for her rumored upcoming projects and late-2025 success.
Why the Snub Matters (And Why It Doesn't)
- Fan Fatigue: Even for the most dedicated Swifties, the constant "clowning" for re-release dates is getting exhausting. Some fans on Reddit expressed that the "Easter eggs" aren't fun when they don't lead anywhere.
- The Competition: 2025 was a stacked year. Between Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Billie Eilish, the pop landscape is the most crowded it's been in a decade.
- Record Totals: She still has 40 AMAs. One year of zeros doesn't change the fact that she owns the record books.
What's Next for the Eras?
If you're looking for the silver lining, it’s this: Taylor Swift usually responds to "snubs" by releasing something massive. Think back to the Reputation era after the 1989 drama.
While the 2025 AMAs were a quiet night for her, the industry is already looking toward the end of the year. Patents for her remaining re-records are reportedly nearing expiration dates, meaning we are likely to see Reputation (Taylor's Version) or Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version) sooner rather than later.
If you want to stay ahead of the next cycle, keep an eye on her official website's source code during major televised events—though, after the AMAs, maybe take those "clown theories" with a grain of salt. For now, the best move is to stop looking for hidden numbers and just enjoy the music. She's earned a year off, even if it means a dusty trophy shelf for once.
Next Steps for Swifties:
- Check the official Taylor Nation Twitter for legitimate updates rather than TikTok theories.
- Re-watch the Eras Tour concert film to remember why she was nominated for Touring Artist in the first place.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards; the nominations suggest she's already planning her comeback.