Taylor Swift emerged as the biggest winner at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, securing an impressive nine awards during the ceremony held at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre on Monday night.
Among her accolades, Swift was honored with the prestigious Artist of the Year title, further solidifying her reign in the music industry.
Although Swift did not attend the event in person, she delivered a heartfelt pre-recorded acceptance speech for the Tour of the Century award, celebrating her historic Eras Tour on its two-year anniversary.
Swift Reflects on the Challenges and Triumphs of the Eras Tour
In her speech, Swift acknowledged the immense effort behind the tour, describing it as “the most challenging thing” she has ever undertaken. She expressed deep appreciation for everyone involved in bringing the production to life, from her band and tour crew to the dancers and behind-the-scenes staff.
“I really can’t tell you how much this means to me because I accept this on behalf of all my tour mates, my band, everyone who toured with us, our crew,” she said.
She went on to highlight the demanding nature of the tour, which featured a three-and-a-half-hour set and an unprecedented number of performances.
“People often say that sometimes the greatest challenges in life end up being something that you are so proud of or end up being the most gratifying feeling in the end if you can rise to the occasion. And this tour was absolutely the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Swift reflected.
A Tour Fueled by Fan Dedication
Swift credited her dedicated fanbase, the Swifties, for making The Eras Tour possible, emphasizing that their passion and support allowed her to push boundaries.
“It’s a three-and-a-half-hour show, more shows than I’ve ever done on a tour, and it really was the most gratifying thing I’ve ever done. I think about that tour constantly. I’m so proud of it,” she shared.
“The only reason I was able to take on those challenges—the ambition of the production, the length of the show, the number of performances in different countries—is because of the fans,” Swift added, expressing immense gratitude.
“You had the passion and the generosity to care about traveling to see us on tour in all these places all over the world. It blows my mind. I’m never gonna stop being grateful for it. And I appreciate it more than you know.”
Fan-Voted Wins and Special Tour Moments
Beyond her major industry-recognized wins, Swift also triumphed in multiple fan-voted categories. She secured Favorite Surprise Guest for the unforgettable moment when her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, joined her on stage at Wembley Stadium.
Dressed in a tuxedo, Kelce participated in a fun sketch between songs, where Swift dramatically swooned before he playfully lifted her onto a couch, delighting the audience.
Additionally, Swift won Favorite Tour Tradition for her much-loved Surprise Songs segment, a highlight of The Eras Tour where she performed unique acoustic mashups at each stop.
Other Notable Winners and Performances
While Swift dominated the night, other artists also made history at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards:
- SZA became the first artist to win R&B Artist of the Year three times, after previously securing the title in 2023 and 2024.
- Billie Eilish took home Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft.
- Lady Gaga was recognized with the Innovator Award, celebrating her contributions to music and creativity.
- Mariah Carey received the Icon Award, honoring her legendary career.
- Nelly was presented with the iHeartRadio Landmark Award.
Hosted by LL Cool J, the ceremony also featured electrifying performances from some of music’s biggest stars, including Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Kenny Chesney, Muni Long, and Nelly, among others.
While Swift may not have been there in person, her record-breaking tour and massive sweep at the awards made her the undeniable star of the night.
