iHeartRadio Music Awards 2021: Everything to Know About the Returning Live Show
It's live again!
The iHeartRadio Music Awards are back on Thursday for its eighth year to celebrate music's biggest stars and most-played hits in the last year.
Here's what you need to know about the big show.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Usher
Who's hosting?
You know him, you love him: Usher.
Usher will be hosting and performing at the awards show on May 27.
"I'm excited to be hosting and performing during the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards," Usher, 42, said in a press release. "This year's show includes an incredible lineup of exceptionally talented artists. It's going to be a great time!"
Last year's awards show didn't have a host while 2019's show was hosted by T-Pain.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Doja Cat
Who's performing?
A star-studded list of performers will hit the stage on Thursday. Among those to perform are The Weeknd alongside Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Dan + Shay and Silk Sonic's Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars.
Additionally, Elton John will receive the icon awards, as well as a tribute performance by Demi Lovato, Brandi Carlile and H.E.R.
RELATED: Elton John Says 'I'm the Fittest I've Been' After Prioritizing His Health During Lockdown
Emma McIntyre/Getty Lil Nas X
Who's up for awards?
The Weeknd, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Harry Styles and Justin Bieber have raked in the most nominations at the fan-favorite show.
Otheri hitmakers in the 2021 group of nominees with more than two nominations include Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande and Blake Shelton. The Jonas Brothers, Maroon 5 and K-pop sensations BTS are among the nominees for the best duo/group of the year alongside Dan + Shay and Twenty One Pilots.
Styles, Bieber, Post Malone, Ricch and The Weeknd are up for male artist of the year, while Grande, Swift, Lipa, Megan Thee Stallion and Billie Eilish are up for female artist of the year.
The 2021 ceremony will also first-ever TikTok bop of the year category, which will be voted by social media users. Among the nominees for the new award are "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd, "Lottery (Renegade)" by K CAMP, "Savage" by Megan Thee Stallion, Savage Love" (Laxed-Siren Beat) by Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo, "Say So" by Doja Cat and "WAP" by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion.
Click here for the full list of nominees.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Ava Max
Who's showing up?
Among those set to make appearances at Thursday's awards show are LL Cool J, Nelly, Machine Gun Kelly, French Montana, Lil Jon, Robin Thicke, Joel McHale, Oliver Stark, Ryan Guzman, Gabby Barrett, Ava Max, Raphael Saadiq and AJR.
Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Roddy Ricch, twenty one pilots and Megan Thee Stallion will also make appearances.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Twenty One Pilots
Where to watch?
An hour-long preshow will kick off on YouTube at 7 p.m. The iHeartRadio Music Awards will air from The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Thursday, May 27 from 8-10 p.m. ET on FOX. The eighth annual event also will also air live on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app.
