Today, Rolling Stone announced the launch of its first-ever festival, Stateside, a boutique live event and content experience set in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley. Anchored by a flagship event on the 4th of July at Hutton Brickyards’ riverfront property in Kingston, NY, Stateside will celebrate the music, food, art, and culture that are synonymous with American culture. Attendees can expect to channel the timeless spirit of Americana - hot dogs, fireworks, local food vendors, an artisan market, guitars, and great days under the summer sun.
Fresh off the release of his fourth studio album, “The Great Divide”, and upcoming SOLD-OUT national stadium tour this summer, 2x Grammy-nominated multi-platinum superstar Noah Kahan will headline Rolling Stone’s inaugural event. Stateside will feature a full day of live performances across indie, folk, pop, and country, including Gigi Perez, Sydney Rose, Arcy Drive, Bo Staloch, Devon Gilfillian, Derby, Calder Allen, and Michaela Anne. At just under 4,000 in total capacity, festivalgoers are sure to enjoy a unique and intimate experience. The evening will culminate with a celebratory fireworks show immediately after Noah’s set.
Guests who purchase VIP and Platinum tickets will enjoy premium perks like dedicated entry and bars, premium viewing, air-conditioned restrooms, and more.
Select VIP and Platinum attendees will have the opportunity to make a weekend out of their Stateside experience. In addition to the main event on Saturday, July 4th, the festival will feature a limited amount of exclusive weekend-long programming and hospitality packages, complete with riverfront luxury accommodations at the property. Beginning July 3rd through the morning of July 5th, on-property guests will have access to curated dining, entertainment, and wellness experiences.
Stateside Festival is proud to partner with Boston Beer Company to bring Dogfish Head, Sun Cruiser, and Angry Orchard to this year’s event. In partnership with Rolling Stone, Dogfish Head is working on a special product launch for Stateside, with additional details to be announced soon.
The festival will also feature Scout Motors as the official automotive partner. At Stateside, Rolling Stone and Scout Motors team up to debut “Tailgate Sessions Presented by Scout Motors” — part intimate performance stage, hangout, and discovery space. Designed like a modern Americana garage, the activation fuses the Scout brand’s rugged, adventure-forward spirit with Rolling Stone’s music authority into one unmistakably cool fan experience.
Hertz joins Stateside as the official car rental partner, making the journey to Kingston part of the experience. Guests who arrive in a Hertz rental will unlock exclusive on-site perks, including a branded arrival moment, a festival essentials kit, and access to a private lounge with dedicated food, beverage, and restrooms. Hertz Gold+ members will also have exclusive access to a limited allotment of on-property VIP parking.
VIP packages and general admission tickets for Stateside Festival will go on sale 10am ET on Thursday, April 30th at Statesidefest.com/tickets, with additional information available at statesidefest.com.
ABOUT ROLLING STONE
Five decades since its founding, Rolling Stone today has evolved into a multi-platform content brand with unrivaled access and authority, reaching a global audience of over 60 million people per month. Staying true to its mission to tell exceptional stories that illuminate the culture of our times, Rolling Stone is an authority for music reviews, in-depth interviews, hard-hitting political commentary and award-winning journalism across print, digital, mobile, video, social and events. Operated and published by Penske Media Corporation, Rolling Stone provides “all the news that fits.”
ABOUT DOGFISH HEAD CRAFT BREWERY
With quality, creativity and non-conformity at its core, Dogfish Head has been committed to brewing unique beers with high-caliber culinary ingredients outside the Reinheitsgebot since the day it opened more than 30 years ago. Dedicated to exploring goodness of all kinds, Dogfish Head later expanded its beverage artistry beyond just craft beer to produce award-winning portfolios of full-proof spirits – whiskeys, gins, vodkas, rums and more – and spirits-based, ready-to-drink canned cocktails. A Boston Beer Company brand and proud supporter of the Independent Craft Brewing Seal, Dogfish Head is a Delaware-based entity consisting of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, a production brewery and tasting room; Dogfish Head Distilling Co., a production distillery; Brewings & Eats, a brewpub and live music venue; Chesapeake & Maine, a seafood and cocktail spot; and the Dogfish INN, a beer-themed, canal-front hotel. For more about Dogfish Head, please visit www.dogfish.com or follow the brand on social media.
ABOUT SUN CRUISER
Made for those who enjoy the sun on their face and hanging outdoors with friends, Sun Cruiser Iced Tea & Vodka and Sun Cruiser Lemonade & Vodka are made with real ingredients and premium vodka for a perfect choice to sip and share. At just 100 calories, 4.5% ABV per 12 oz serving, 1 gram of sugar, and no bubbles to weigh you down, Sun Cruiser has just a kiss of sweetness and tastes refreshingly smooth in a mix of delicious flavors. Drinkers can enjoy a variety of Sun Cruiser flavors, including Classic Iced Tea, Peach Iced Tea, Raspberry Iced Tea, Half & Half, Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Blueberry Lemonade, and the new White Tea. For more information, follow along on social @DrinkSunCruiser and visit us at drinksuncruiser.com.
ABOUT ANGRY ORCHARD
The leading cider across the country, Angry Orchard's cider makers experiment with apple varieties near and far to continuously develop new cider styles and flavors. Crafted with real apples and the highest quality ingredients, Angry Orchard is balanced, refreshing, and full of flavor, with a wide variety of styles fit for all. At the home of Angry Orchard on a 60-acre apple orchard in New York's Hudson Valley, the team of cider makers create small-batch experimentation with fruit grown right on-site while offering an experience for guests to sip cider amongst the trees. To learn more about Angry Orchard, visit AngryOrchard.com. Please drink responsibly.
ABOUT SCOUT MOTORS
The Scout®, produced by International Harvester from 1961-80, was the world’s first utility vehicle capable of both off-road adventure and family duty. It was the 8-day-a-week truck.
In 2022, Scout Motors was formed to craft the next era of Scout vehicles rooted in the same tradition that made the original an American icon. The company is as rugged as its vehicles. Built to last, from the dirt up, by passionate people. American-born and American-built, the new Scout vehicles will be designed and engineered in Michigan and manufactured in South Carolina.
There’s plenty of road ahead as Scout Motors brings the Scout Traveler™ and Scout Terra™ to life and create thousands of good-paying jobs. This is the next great American motor company—rooted in history, driven by community, and forging the future.
ABOUT HERTZ
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. is one of the world’s leading car rental and mobility solutions providers. Its subsidiaries, including The Hertz Corporation, and licensees operate the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly vehicle rental brands, with more than 11,000 rental locations in 160 countries around the globe. The Company also operates the Hertz Car Sales brand, which offers a range of quality, competitively priced used cars for sale online and at locations across the United States, and the Hertz 24/7 car-sharing business in Europe. For more information about Hertz, visit www.hertz.com.

LEGENDARY SONGWRITER AND BEST-SELLING FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST SHANIA TWAIN WILL TAKE THE STAGE TO HOST THE
61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS FOR THE FIRST TIME
61st ACM Awards Makes Its Triumphant Return to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026
Streaming Live Around the Globe from MGM Grand Garden Arena,
Exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music
Great Seats for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events Just Released at AXS.COM

Media and Social Assets HERE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — April 22, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced that legendary songwriter and best-selling female country artist Shania Twain will host the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards for the first time. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.
As the top-selling female country-pop artist of all time, globally celebrated songwriter, artist, and performer Shania Twain has established herself as one of music’s most iconic and influential voices. A three-time ACM Award winner and five-time GRAMMY Award winner, Twain helped redefine country music for a global audience with her bold, boundary-pushing sound and undeniable crossover appeal. With six acclaimed studio albums and more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, her influence continues to shape the music industry today.
“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home.” said Twain. “It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year. I can’t wait to welcome all of the fans and artists out for this unforgettable night.”
“We are honored to welcome global music superstar Shania Twain as our host this year,” ACM CEO Damon Whiteside said. “We couldn’t imagine a more perfect icon to follow our previous iconic hosts, Dolly, Garth, and Reba, blending one of the most important nights in Country Music with the excitement of Las Vegas . Shania has an impressive history on the ACM Awards stage including her win of the coveted ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy and receiving the ACM Poet’s Award honoring her prolific songwriting career.”
Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered ACM Awards experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, including performances by Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Leading up to the big night, the Academy of Country Music will take over Las Vegas with previously announced ACM Awards week events including a “Whiskey Jam Welcome Party” at Ole Red Las Vegas on Thursday, May 14 with Avery Anna, Caroline Jones, Jenna Paulette, and The Band Perry; “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas Friday, May 15 with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins, alongside headliner Riley Green; as well as “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, May 16 with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Keith Urban, Tucker Wetmore, and more.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.
Fans can also stream the Official ACM Awards playlist available now on Amazon Music in celebration of this year’s nominees. Fans can listen to country music’s biggest stars, such as Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson, directly on the Amazon Music app HERE.
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.
The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.
About the Academy of Country Music:
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown over the past 60 years into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2026 continues to be a landmark year for the Academy, building on last year’s success of the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, which returned to the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters in Texas for a third consecutive year and streamed live to a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
About Dick Clark Productions:
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
About Prime Video:
Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info, visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.
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60th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit
Show Clips HERE; Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE
New York, NY, April 20, 2026: Today, SHE Media announced the appointment of Lauren Iannotti as its new Chief Content and Live Events Officer. Iannotti will report to Kristen Fairback, Chief Commercial Officer of SHE Media, and will be based in New York.
In this role, Iannotti will lead the strategic direction, growth, and execution of SHE Media’s content and live events portfolio across its flagship brands, including SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, and Soaps. She will also oversee the company’s expanding live media footprint, including the SHE Media Co-Lab at SXSW and Women’s Health Summits.
Iannotti will be responsible for shaping SHE Media’s long-term content vision, driving differentiation and leadership across women’s lifestyle, health, and family categories, and deepening audience engagement through both editorial and experiential offerings.
“Lauren is a highly strategic and dynamic editorial leader with a sharp instinct for where content, audience, and business intersect,” said Kristen Fairback, Chief Commercial Officer of SHE Media. “She brings a clear vision for how to evolve our brands across platforms, with a sharp understanding of how to drive audience growth and expand content into new revenue opportunities. Her experience building premium content alongside impactful live experiences will help scale SHE Media’s next chapter.”
"I can't wait to dig in and support the talented content leads on these brands,whose mission, collectively, has been the same as mine for most of my career: to advocate for women, offering information and inspiration to improve their lives,” said Iannotti. “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to build on that work and continue finding new ways to connect with women that are resonant and meaningful today.”
Lauren Iannotti is an award-winning media executive who has spent over 25 years making content at household-name brands, including Glamour, Marie Claire, Allure, and O, The Oprah Magazine. She served most recently as editor-in-chief and VP at Real Simple, a People Inc. property, where she reenvisioned the beloved,30MM-reach brand, driving growth on all platforms. A business-minded creative, she diversified the business and found new revenue streams, launching live events, multiple licensing lines, podcasts and more.
This appointment comes at a moment of continued evolution and expansion for SHE Media and its portfolio of brands. As the company deepens its investment in both content and live experiences, Iannotti will play a key role in shaping its next phase of growth.
About SHEMedia:
As a top 10 lifestyle media company, SHE Media focuses on the power of content and community to move our culture forward. SHE Media believes that media companies can and should be a force for good in the world. The company’s rich editorial ranges from health, food, and family to career and entertainment. SHE Media’s flagship brands SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, and Soaps produce award-winning lifestyle content and events that reflect the passion and purpose of the company. In addition to the flagship brands, the SHE Media Collective supports thousands of independent publishers and content creators with technology, education, and monetization opportunities to grow their businesses.
New York, NY, April 20, 2026: Today, SHE Media announced the appointment of Lauren Iannotti as its new Chief Content and Live Events Officer. Iannotti will report to Kristen Fairback, Chief Commercial Officer of SHE Media, and will be based in New York.
In this role, Iannotti will lead the strategic direction, growth, and execution of SHE Media’s content and live events portfolio across its flagship brands, including SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, and Soaps. She will also oversee the company’s expanding live media footprint, including the SHE Media Co-Lab at SXSW and Women’s Health Summits.
Iannotti will be responsible for shaping SHE Media’s long-term content vision, driving differentiation and leadership across women’s lifestyle, health, and family categories, and deepening audience engagement through both editorial and experiential offerings.
“Lauren is a highly strategic and dynamic editorial leader with a sharp instinct for where content, audience, and business intersect,” said Kristen Fairback, Chief Commercial Officer of SHE Media. “She brings a clear vision for how to evolve our brands across platforms, with a sharp understanding of how to drive audience growth and expand content into new revenue opportunities. Her experience building premium content alongside impactful live experiences will help scale SHE Media’s next chapter.”
"I can't wait to dig in and support the talented content leads on these brands,whose mission, collectively, has been the same as mine for most of my career: to advocate for women, offering information and inspiration to improve their lives,” said Iannotti. “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to build on that work and continue finding new ways to connect with women that are resonant and meaningful today.”
Lauren Iannotti is an award-winning media executive who has spent over 25 years making content at household-name brands, including Glamour, Marie Claire, Allure, and O, The Oprah Magazine. She served most recently as editor-in-chief and VP at Real Simple, a People Inc. property, where she reenvisioned the beloved,30MM-reach brand, driving growth on all platforms. A business-minded creative, she diversified the business and found new revenue streams, launching live events, multiple licensing lines, podcasts and more.
This appointment comes at a moment of continued evolution and expansion for SHE Media and its portfolio of brands. As the company deepens its investment in both content and live experiences, Iannotti will play a key role in shaping its next phase of growth.
About SHEMedia:
As a top 10 lifestyle media company, SHE Media focuses on the power of content and community to move our culture forward. SHE Media believes that media companies can and should be a force for good in the world. The company’s rich editorial ranges from health, food, and family to career and entertainment. SHE Media’s flagship brands SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, and Soaps produce award-winning lifestyle content and events that reflect the passion and purpose of the company. In addition to the flagship brands, the SHE Media Collective supports thousands of independent publishers and content creators with technology, education, and monetization opportunities to grow their businesses.
WOMEN LEAD NOMINATIONS FOR THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
Nominations are Led by Megan Moroney (nine), Followed by Miranda Lambert (eight), Ella Langley (seven), Lainey Wilson (seven), Chris Stapleton (six), Zach Top (five), and Cody Johnson (four)
61st ACM Awards Returns to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026
Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena,
Exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events are Now Available at AXS.COM

Media and Social Assets HERE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — April 9, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced nominations for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, with Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson receiving the most nominations. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.
Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered ACM Awards experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, including performances by Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Leading up to the big night, the Academy of Country Music will take over Las Vegas with previously announced ACM Awards week events including “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas Friday, May 15 with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins, alongside headliner Riley Green, as well as “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, May 16 with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Tucker Wetmore, and more.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.
Fans can also stream the Official ACM Awards playlist available now on Amazon Music in celebration of this year’s nominees. Fans can listen to country music’s biggest stars, such as Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson, directly on the Amazon Music app HERE.
NOMINEE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS:
- Female artists lead with the most nominations, including Megan Moroney with nine nominations, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight nominations, and then followed by Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson, tied with seven nominations each.
- Megan Moroney leads with the most nominations, and the most nominations across categories, with nine total, including her first nomination for Entertainer of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and third consecutive nomination for Female Artist of the Year and Visual Media of the Year (“6 Months Later”) as an Artist, and her first as Director. Moroney also receives nominations for Song of the Year (“Am I Ok?”) as an Artist and Songwriter, Single of the Year (“6 Months Later”), and Music Event of the Year (“You Had To Be There") with Kenny Chesney.
- Miranda Lambert, the most-decorated artist in ACM Awards history, receives eight nominations, the most nominations she’s received in a single year since 2016. She receives her 17th nomination for Female Artist of the Year and her ninth nomination for Song of the Year, and 16th total nomination (including Artist and Songwriter credits) in the category.
- Ella Langley, the reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year, receives seven nominations. This is her first nomination in the Artist-Songwriter of the Year category, as well as her first nomination credited as a Producer for Single of the Year (“Choosin’ Texas”).
- Lainey Wilson, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, receives seven nominations. This marks her fourth consecutive nomination for Female Artist of the Year and third straight nod for Entertainer of the Year, categories she has won every year she’s been nominated. Wilson’s nomination for Song of the Year (“Somewhere Over Laredo”), marks her fifth consecutive in the category and ninth total nomination overall (including Artist and Songwriter credits) in the category.
- Chris Stapleton, the reigning Male Artist of the Year, receives the most nominations for a male artist with six total, including his fifth consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year and his 11th consecutive nomination for Male Artist of the Year (an award he’s won five times).
- Zach Top, the reigning New Male Artist of the Year, receives five nominations, including his first for Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”), both as an Artist and Songwriter, and for Single of the Year (“I Never Lie”).
- Cody Johnson receives his third consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year, as well as his fourth consecutive nomination for Visual Media of the Year (“The Fall”).
- Riley Green receives four nominations, his third consecutive for Music Event of the Year, and his first-ever nominations for Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
- Morgan Wallen receives his fourth consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and his third nomination for Album of the Year (I’m The Problem).
- Luke Combs receives his seventh consecutive nomination for both Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. A win for Combs in the Entertainer category will also clinch the coveted Triple Crown Award, which consists of an Entertainer of the Year win, plus wins in an act’s respective New Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) and Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) categories. Past ACM Triple Crown Award recipients include Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and others. Combs earns his third nomination for Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
- Jelly Roll receives his third consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year.
- Parker McCollum receives his first-ever nomination for Album of the Year (Parker McCollum).
- Old Dominion receive their 11th consecutive nomination for Group of the Year. The group has taken home the title every year for the last eight years, passing Rascal Flatts for the most consecutive wins in the category.
- Brothers Osborne receive their 19th overall nomination. This is their 12th consecutive year being nominated for Duo of the Year, an award the pair has brought home four times.
- Kelsea Ballerini receives her ninth nomination for Female Artist of the Year.
- Rascal Flatts receive their 14th nomination for Group of the Year.
- Reba McEntire receives her first nomination since 2020, making this her seventh nomination for Music Event of the Year (“Trailblazer”).
- Every Song of the Year nominee is also credited as a songwriter on their respective track, with Miranda Lambert earning two separate nominations in the category.
FIRST TIME NOMINEES INCLUDE:
- 49 Winchester
- Avery Anna
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Carter Faith
- Caroline Jones
- Vincent Mason
- Emily Ann Roberts
- Thelma & James (*MacKenzie Porter nominated for Music Event of the Year in 2022 with Dustin Lynch)
- Hudson Westbrook
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
The following is the full list of nominees for the ACM Main Awards categories:
MAIN AWARDS:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson
- Megan Moroney
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
GROUP OF THE YEAR
- 49 Winchester
- Flatland Cavalry
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & James
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Avery Anna
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Dasha
- Caroline Jones
- Emily Ann Roberts
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Gavin Adcock
- Vincent Mason
- Shaboozey
- Hudson Westbrook
- Tucker Wetmore
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- Ain’t In It For My Health - Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
- Cherry Valley - Carter Faith
Producer: Tofer Brown
Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA
- Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) - Riley Green
Producer: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- I’m The Problem - Morgan Wallen
Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records
- Parker McCollum - Parker McCollum
Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse
Record Company-Label: MCA
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
- A Song To Sing - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs for the Munch Music; Songs of Influence; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
- Am I Okay? - Megan Moroney
Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
Publishers: Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music; Big Music Machine
- Choosin’ Texas - Ella Langley
Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
Publishers: Bada Bing & Bada Langley Publishing; Little Louder Songs; Sony Music Publishing
- I Never Lie - Zach Top
Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
Publishers: Music and Magazine Publishing; Rio Bravo Music Inc; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Too Broke to Quit Music; Zach Top Music
- Somewhere Over Laredo - Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg
Publishers: Concord Sounds; Dtown Boogie Music; Emi Feist Catalog Inc; Songs Of Riser House; Songs Of Wild Cat Well Music; Sony/ATV Countryside; Story Farmer; Tacklebox Music Publishing
SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- 6 Months Later - Megan Moroney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
- Choosin’ Texas - Ella Langley
Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West
Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
- I Never Lie - Zach Top
Producers: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
- Somewhere Over Laredo - Lainey Wilson
Producers: Jay Joyce
Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Broken Bow Records
- The Fall - Cody Johnson
Producers: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music / Warner Records Nashville
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- A Song To Sing - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb
Record Company-Label: Republic Records
- Amen - Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
Producers: Danny Majic, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook
Record Company-Label: Empire
- Don’t Mind If I Do - Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- Trailblazer - Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
Producers: Tony Brown, Reba McEntire
Record Company-Label: MCA
- You Had To Be There - Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
- 6 Months Later - Megan Moroney
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: CeCe Dawson, Megan Moroney
- A Song To Sing - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: James Stratakis
Director: Alexa King Stone, Stephen Kinigopoulos
- Cuckoo -Stephen Wilson, Jr.
Producers: Tim Cofield
Director: Tim Cofield
- Somewhere Over Laredo - Lainey Wilson
Producers: Katie Babbage
Director: TK McKamy
- The Fall - Cody Johnson
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Dustin Haney
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Jessie Jo Dillon
- Ashley Gorley
- Charlie Handsome
- Chase McGill
- Blake Pendergrass
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Morgan Wallen
NOMINEES IN NUMERICAL ORDER:
- Megan Moroney (9): Entertainer of the Year; Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year; Visual Media of the Year (Artist and Director nominations); Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Miranda Lambert (8): Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (“A Song To Sing” - Artist and Songwriter nominations); Song of the Year (“Choosin’ Texas” - Songwriter nomination); Single of the Year (Producer nomination); Music Event of the Year (“A Song To Sing” and “Trailblazer”); Visual Media of the Year
- Ella Langley (7): Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year (Artist and Producer nominations); Music Event of the Year; Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Lainey Wilson (7): Entertainer of the Year; Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter); Single of the Year; Music Event of the Year; Visual Media of the Year
- Chris Stapleton (6): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Music Event of the Year, Visual Media of the Year
- Zach Top (5): Male Artist of the Year; Album of the Year, Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year
- Riley Green (4): Male Artist of the Year; Album of the Year; Music Event of the Year; Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Cody Johnson (4): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Single of the Year; Visual Media of the Year
- Luke Combs (3): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Artist-Songwriter
- Morgan Wallen (3): Entertainer of the Year; Album of the Year; Artist-Songwriter
- Jelly Roll (2): Entertainer of the Year; Music Event of the Year
- Reba McEntire (2): Music Event of the Year; Music Event of the Year (Producer)
- Shaboozey (2): New Male Artist of the Year; Music Event of the Year
- 49 Winchester (1): Group of the Year
- Gavin Adcock (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Avery Anna (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini (1): Female Artist of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn (1): Duo of the Year
- Brothers Osborne (1): Duo of the Year
- Mackenzie Carpenter (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Kenny Chesney (1): Music Event of the Year
- Dan + Shay (1): Duo of the Year
- Dasha (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Carter Faith (1): Album of the Year
- Flatland Cavalry (1): Group of the Year
- Caroline Jones (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Vincent Mason (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Parker McCollum (1): Album of the Year
- Muscadine Bloodline (1): Duo of the Year
- Old Dominion (1): Group of the Year
- Rascal Flatts (1): Group of the Year
- The Red Clay Strays (1): Group of the Year
- Emily Ann Roberts (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Thelma & James (1): Duo of the Year
- Hudson Westbrook (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Tucker Wetmore (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Stephen Wilson Jr. (1): Visual Media of the Year
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- The eligibility period for submissions for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
- The awards count for artists reflects categories in which they have been recognized as individuals or as part of their duo or group. In some cases, an artist may receive more than one nomination per category, such as producer, director, or songwriter, which factors into their official count.
- Award recipients in each category are noted above in brackets in the Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Video of the Year, and Music Event of the Year.
- Awards are voted on by members of the Academy of Country Music, which boasts a record-high membership this year of more than 5,000 members and serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business.
- A full database of previous Academy of Country Music Awards nominations and winners can be found on the Academy of Country Music website in the “Past Winners” section found HERE.
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional performers, presenters, ACM Awards week events, and the host will be announced in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.
The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.
About the Academy of Country Music:
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown over the past 60 years into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2026 continues to be a landmark year for the Academy, building on last year’s success of the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, which returned to the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters in Texas for a third consecutive year and streamed live to a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
About Dick Clark Productions:
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
About Prime Video:
Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info, visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.
###
60th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit
Show Clips HERE; Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE

KACEY MUSGRAVES, LITTLE BIG TOWN, AND MIRANDA LAMBERT ADDED TO PERFORMANCE LINEUP FOR THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
61st ACM Awards Returns to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026
Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena,
Exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events are Now Available at AXS.COM

Media and Social Assets HERE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — April 7, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced the next round of powerhouse performers set to take the stage at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, including Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, and Miranda Lambert with many more unforgettable performances to be revealed in the coming weeks. They join previously announced superstar performers Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.
Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, all while celebrating the genre’s most iconic and emerging talent. Seven-time ACM Award recipient Kacey Musgraves will make her ACM Awards performance debut with a new song from her upcoming sixth studio album, Middle of Nowhere, out May 1. Eight-time ACM Award-winning group Little Big Town will take the stage for a special performance. Miranda Lambert, the most decorated artist in ACM Award history, is set to deliver a showstopping performance.
Leading up to the big night, the Academy of Country Music will take over Las Vegas with previously announced ACM Awards week events including “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas Friday, May 15 with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins, alongside headliner Riley Green, as well as “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, May 16 with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Tucker Wetmore, and more.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Nominations for the 61st ACM Awards will be announced on Thursday, April 9, 2026, with many more unforgettable performances, presenters, ACM Awards Week events, and the host to be revealed in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.
The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.
About the Academy of Country Music:
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown over the past 60 years into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2026 continues to be a landmark year for the Academy, building on last year’s success of the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, which returned to the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters in Texas for a third consecutive year and streamed live to a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
About Dick Clark Productions:
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
About Prime Video:
Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info, visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.
###
60th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit
Show Clips HERE; Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE

QUEEN LATIFAH TO HOST THE 52ND AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
Marking 30 Years Since Her AMAs Hosting Debut, the Legendary Artist, Actor, Producer, and Entrepreneur Will Welcome Audiences to the World’s Largest Fan-Voted Awards Show
The Star-Studded Annual Special Airs Live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and Paramount+
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW ON AXS

[EDITOR’S NOTE]: For assets, click HERE | For past performance clips, click HERE
Los Angeles, CA - April 6, 2026 - Today, CBS and Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming, announced that Grammy® award-winning musician, critically acclaimed Emmy and Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actress and producer Queen Latifah will host the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs). Queen Latifah has a longstanding history with the AMAs, previously serving as a co-host in 1995, and delivering memorable performances in the years since.
As one of music’s most anticipated nights of the year, the 52nd American Music Awards returns to CBS and Paramount+ on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the largest venue in the show’s history, to honor the most influential artists and songs of today alongside unforgettable performances and special moments in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music.
Tickets for the star-studded must-see show are now available on AXS.
“I am so excited to return to the American Music Awards stage to host this year,” said Latifah. “It’s been an incredible year for music and there is no better place to celebrate than in Vegas.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Queen Latifah back as host of the American Music Awards,” said Jay Penske, CEO, Dick Clark Productions. “A true powerhouse and trailblazer, she brings a dynamic presence and deep connection to both fans and fellow artists, making her the perfect choice to lead a night celebrating the biggest names and most defining moments in music.”
Queen Latifah is a Grammy-winning artist and Oscar-nominated actress whose career spans music, film, television, and production. She earned an Academy Award nomination, along with Golden Globe and SAG nominations, for her role as “Mama Morton” in Chicago, and won both a Golden Globe and SAG Award for Life Support. A trailblazer in entertainment, she became the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and has received seven Grammy nominations, winning Best Rap Solo Performance in 1994. Her cultural impact was further recognized with the National Medal of the Arts in 2024 and honors at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors. Beyond acting, she has built a successful production career through Flavor Unit Entertainment, producing films and television projects including Bessie and The Perfect Holiday.
Making her big screen debut in Spike Lee’s 1991 film, Jungle Fever, Latifah then starred in Set It Off and co-starred with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito in the critically acclaimed Living Out Loud. From 1993-1998, Latifah starred in the network comedy “Living Single.” Following Chicago, she starred in and executive-produced the box office hit Bringing Down the House. Her additional film credits include The Secret Life of Bees, alongside Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning; Neil Meron and Craig Zadan’s Hairspray; Mad Money opposite Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes; Just Wright; Joyful Noise; The Last Holiday; Beauty Shop; Girls Trip alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish; and Hustle opposite Adam Sandler. She took to the stage and small screen performing as the title character in the television musical The Wiz Live! and as “Ursula” in ABC’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
In recent years, Latifah headlined and executive produced CBS’ “The Equalizer,” which became the #1 new series in the 2020-2021 season. Looking ahead, she is set to reprise her role as “Ellie” in Ice Age: Boiling Point, continuing her long-running involvement in the popular animated franchise.
Nominations for the 52nd American Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Fan voting opens the same day, April 14, and will remain open until May 8, 2026.
Additional details, including performers, presenters, and special honorees for the 52nd AMAs, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Named one of 2025’s most-watched television specials, last year’s top-rated 51st American Music Awards reached over 10 million unique viewers across its CBS and Paramount+ premiere on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, and encores on MTV, CMT, and BET. The CBS broadcast marked the show’s largest audience since 2019 with a +38% increase over its last live airing in 2022 on ABC.
Airing for the first time on Memorial Day, the 2025 AMAs kicked off summer with host Jennifer Lopez, who returned to host a decade after her AMAs hosting debut in 2015. She opened the 51st American Music Awards in spectacular fashion, delivering a non-stop, breathtaking medley of 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Performances included ICON Award recipient Janet Jackson; Alex Warren, Becky G and Manuel Turizo, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Rod Stewart.
About the American Music Awards:
- Celebrating the year’s most iconic music, the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases.
- Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the American Music Awards is known for delivering half a century worth of iconic performances and enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists.
- The American Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions.
For the latest news, exclusive content, and updates, follow the AMAs:
Website: TheAMAs.com
X: @AMAs
Instagram: @AMAs
TikTok: @AMAs
Facebook: @AMAs
Threads: @AMAs
YouTube: @TheAMAs
Hashtag: #AMAs
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
About Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com
About MGM Grand Garden Arena
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, George Strait, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, U2, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena also has been home to annual events including the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Latin GRAMMY Awards, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and Frozen Fury NHL pre-season games hosted by the Los Angeles Kings.
*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
# # #
[MEDIA APPLICATION] For more about press opportunities leading up to the show and on-site in Las Vegas, please fill out the Press Credential Application at your earliest convenience.
# # #
QUEEN LATIFAH
Queen Latifah is a Grammy award-winning musician, critically acclaimed television and Oscar-nominated film actress, producer, label president, author and entrepreneur. Latifah has had amazing success since her career began in Hollywood and became the first hip-hop artist to be crowned with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe nomination and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nomination for her portrayal of “Mama Morton” in the feature musical CHICAGO. She also received an Emmy Award nomination, a Golden Globe win, and a SAG Award win for her role in the cable film LIFE SUPPORT. She received a National Medal of the Arts from the United States Government in 2024 and was a 2023 honoree at The 46th Kennedy Center Honors.
Making her big screen debut in Spike Lee’s 1991 film, JUNGLE FEVER, Latifah then starred in SET IT OFF and co-starred with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito in the critically acclaimed LIVING OUT LOUD. From 1993-1998, Latifah starred in the network comedy “Living Single.” Following CHICAGO, she starred in and executive-produced the box office hit BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE. Her additional film credits include THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, alongside Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning; Neil Meron and Craig Zadan’s HAIRSPRAY, MAD MONEY opposite Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes; JUST WRIGHT; JOYFUL NOISE; THE LAST HOLIDAY; and BEAUTY SHOP. She also starred in and executive-produced the cable movie adaptation of STEEL MAGNOLIAS. From 2013-2014, she was the host of “The Queen Latifah Show,” which she produced with partner Shakim Compere and Overbrook Entertainment’s Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and James Lassiter.
In May 2015, Latifah made her way back to the small screen, earning an Emmy Award nomination, Golden Globe nomination and a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her role in the cable film BESSIE, which she also produced.
In 2017, Latifah starred in the hit comedy GIRLS TRIP, alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish. She also starred in the 2016 faith-based movie MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, opposite Jennifer Garner, and reprised her role in ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE. Latifah also starred in the FOX hit series “Star,” which had its series finale May 2019. Additionally, she took to the stage and small screen performing as the title character in the television musical THE WIZ LIVE!, alongside Uzo Aduba, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Common and David Alan Grier.
Latifah has earned seven Grammy Award nominations, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1994. In 2004, she was nominated for Best Female Rap Solo Performance for “Go Head.” In 2005, she was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “The Dana Owens Album,” and in 2008, she was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for “Trav’lin Light.”
Flavor Unit Entertainment, the production company owned and operated by Latifah and her partner Shakim Compere, was behind the hit feature comedies BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, BEAUTY SHOP, and THE PERFECT HOLIDAY. Flavor Unit also produced the films THE COOKOUT, JUST WRIGHT, and END OF THE ROAD, as well as cable films BESSIE, and LIFE SUPPORT. Together, Latifah and Compere produced THE REAL MVP: THE WANDA PRATT STORY, “The Best Place to Be,” “Curvy Style with Timothy Snell,” “The Perfect Match” and “The Rap Game.” Additionally, Flavor Unit produced the one-hour special event “Dear Mama,” which premiered on Mother’s Day, and has been renewed as an annual special.
In November of 2019, Latifah was seen as Ursula in ABC’s live-action remake of THE LITTLE MERMAID. In April 2020, she starred in the Quibi drama, WHEN THE STREET LIGHTS GO ON, and executive produced Lifetime’s THE CLARK SISTERS: FIRST LADIES OF GOSPEL which became the highest-rated original movie for Lifetime since 2016. She also headlined the Netflix sports drama HUSTLE opposite Adam Sandler along with starring and producing Ray Giarratana’s THE TIGER RISING.
Latifah most recently starred in and executive produced the CBS series reboot of “The Equalizer,” which quickly became TV’s #1 scripted series when it premiered in 2021 and ran five seasons through 2025. Next, Latifah will return as the voice of wooly mammoth “Ellie” in ICE AGE: BOILING POINT, the franchise’s 6th installment releasing on February 5th, 2027.
MEDIA ALERT
TICKET ON-SALE DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 52ND AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
Pre-Sale Tickets Available on Wednesday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m. PT
General On-Sale Starts Friday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. PT
The Star-Studded Annual Special Airs Live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and Paramount+
[EDITOR’S NOTE]: Media assets available here
- Tickets for the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) go on sale this week on AXS.com, giving fans the opportunity to experience this can’t-miss epic celebration of music live and in person!
- As one of music’s most anticipated nights of the year, the 52nd American Music Awards returns to CBS and Paramount+ on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the largest venue in the show’s history, to honor the most influential artists and songs of today alongside unforgettable performances and special moments in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music.
- TICKET PRE-SALE: Tickets for the American Music Awards will be available for pre-sale beginning 10:00 a.m. PT/12:00 p.m. CT/1:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 25. Sign up at TheAMAs.com/Presale to receive a pre-sale code that will grant you access to purchase tickets in advance of the general public on-sale.
- GENERAL PUBLIC TICKET ON-SALE: Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10:00 a.m. PT/12:00 p.m. CT/1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 27 at AXS.com.
- Nominations for the 52nd American Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Fan voting opens the same day, April 14, and will remain open until May 8, 2026.
- Additional details, including performers, presenters, and special honorees for the 52nd AMAs, will be announced in the coming weeks.
- Airing for the first time on Memorial Day, the 2025 AMAs kicked off summer with host Jennifer Lopez, who returned to host a decade after her AMAs hosting debut in 2015. She opened the 51st American Music Awards in spectacular fashion, delivering a non-stop, breathtaking medley of 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Performances included ICON Award recipient Janet Jackson; Alex Warren, Becky G and Manuel Turizo, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Rod Stewart.
- Named one of 2025’s most-watched television specials, last year’s top-rated 51st American Music Awards reached over 10 million unique viewers across its CBS and Paramount+ premiere on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, and encores on MTV, CMT, and BET. The CBS broadcast marked the show’s largest audience since 2019 with a +38% increase over its last live airing in 2022 on ABC.
About the American Music Awards:
- Celebrating the year’s most iconic music, the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases.
- Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the American Music Awards is known for delivering half a century worth of iconic performances and enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists.
- The American Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions.
For the latest news, exclusive content, and updates, follow the AMAs:
Website: TheAMAs.com
X: @AMAs
Instagram: @AMAs
TikTok: @AMAs
Facebook: @AMAs
Threads: @AMAs
YouTube: @TheAMAs
Hashtag: #AMAs
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
About Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com
About MGM Grand Garden Arena
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, George Strait, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, U2, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena also has been home to annual events including the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Latin GRAMMY Awards, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and Frozen Fury NHL pre-season games hosted by the Los Angeles Kings.
*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
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[MEDIA APPLICATION] For more about press opportunities leading up to the show and on-site in Las Vegas, please fill out the Press Credential Application at your earliest convenience.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CODY JOHNSON, LAINEY WILSON, AND RILEY GREEN TO PERFORM AT THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
61st ACM Awards Returns to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026
Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena,
Exclusively on Prime Video, Twitch, and Amazon Music
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events are Now Available at AXS.COM
Media and Social Assets HERE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — March 19, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced the first round of powerhouse performers set to take the stage at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, including Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green, with many more unforgettable performances to be revealed in the coming weeks. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.
Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, all while celebrating the genre’s most iconic and emerging talent. ACM Award winner Cody Johnson will take the stage following his 2025 win for ACM Song of the Year. Reigning Entertainer of the Year and 16-time ACM Award recipient Lainey Wilson returns to the ACM Awards stage with the world premiere performance of “Can’t Sit Still.” Four-time ACM Award winner and 2026 ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green headliner, Riley Green, will deliver a performance of his hit song “Change My Mind.”
Previously announced ACM Awards week events include “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas, Friday, May 15, and “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach, Saturday, May 16.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional performers, as well as nominations, presenters, ACM Awards week events, and the host, will be announced in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.
The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.
About the Academy of Country Music:
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown over the past 60 years into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2026 continues to be a landmark year for the Academy, building on last year’s success of the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, which returned to the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters in Texas for a third consecutive year and streamed live to a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
About Dick Clark Productions:
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
About Prime Video:
Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info, visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.
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60th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit
Show Clips HERE; Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE
19 March 2026 – South by Southwest® (SXSW®), the world’s leading festival celebrating the convergence of creativity, culture and technology, today reveals the first musical acts set to perform at SXSW London 2026, as the festival returns to transform East London into a vibrant week-long cultural discovery.
Taking place 1–6 June, the SXSW London Music Festival will once again bring together artists from across the globe, presenting emerging voices and underground scenes alongside established acts including Tiwa Savage, ODUMODUBLVCK, Rachel Chinouriri and Circa Waves.
Spanning venues, clubs and cultural spaces across Shoreditch, the programme reflects the diversity of sound and community that defines the UK music landscape, while connecting it to global talent and audiences. Following the success of its inaugural year, SXSW London returns bigger and bolder, cementing its place as a unique destination where discovery sits side-by-side with globally recognised artists and special guest performances.
Adem Holness, Head of Music at SXSW London, says: “At a moment when technology can generate endless music, what really shapes the future are the communities and scenes where artists push culture forward in their own contexts. SXSW London brings those global scenes together in one place. From artists like Sega Bodega reimagining live electronic performance, to bands like Shame building careers on their own terms, and artists like ODUMODUBLVCK bypassing genre and fusing his cultural influences into something entirely his own. The future of music isn’t uniform.”
SXSW London is about championing emerging and cutting-edge artists from underground scenes, next to established acts. Bringing those worlds together across East London creates a space where discovery, community and globally recognised talent can exist side by side.
Music wristbands for SXSW London Music Festival have just gone on sale and available HERE with prices starting from £25 for a one-day wristband, or £79 for the full duration of the festival.
Programming a line-up of more than 200 artists, the festival has also confirmed 37 co-curators to shape the program, uniting breakthrough talent, global voices, and bold sonic perspectives has also been revealed and includes: Afro Folk Rising, @bbcasiannetwork, @bbcintroducing, Becca D's Deadly, Biteback, @thebritishmusicembasy,@clashmagazine, Classical Unlocked, @crackmagazine, DJ Ace's Everything R&B, End of The Trail, FOCUS Wales,@generatorhq, GMIA x Premier Gospel, @hackneyempire, @hospitalrecords, @huckmagazine, Island Wave x ReggaeRecipe Live!, Jawani 4Eva, Latino Life, @mahogany, New Gen Artistry, @notion, @oneofftraks, Parlay Records x A Class, @pitchscotland, @reprezentradio, @royalcollegeofart, Art Scream Records, @scr_radio, Soul Surge, Sound Villa, @soundsqueerhq, @thebritschool, @rmaofficialuk, @tldrecs
The festival is also collaborating with industry professionals who bring deep cultural expertise and a global perspective of the underground music scene, to curate and judge this year’s music program. Made up of nearly 100 music heads with rich experience in grassroots programming, each plays a critical role in selecting the breakthrough artists who will take to the SXSW London stage in June, with representatives from Tileyard, Universal Music, Koko, Village Underground, Dreamland, and more. Full list 2026 Music Jurors
FOR ALL PRESS ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT
About SXSW London 2026
Powered by the dynamism and diversity of Shoreditch, SXSW London has become the preeminent global platform for the convergence of business, technology and creativity.
Stretched across the streets of East London, the festival is unapologetically progressive and provocative. Contemporary life moves faster and faster. SXSW London fearlessly embraces the growing landscape at the intersection of technology and culture to connect speakers, delegates and performances beyond any single industry. The SXSW London community seeks provocative debates that resonate in a global city, known for its openness to opposing voices. In a time of uncertainty, SXSW London offers innovators and freethinkers practical optimism and a unique lens with which to navigate real world problems with clarity. Join us for a unique week of insights, networking and discovery across film, music, the visual arts, business and tech. Discover the future intelligence that upends established ideas and leave with frontier thinking for a new competitive edge.
About The Special Guests
TIWA SAVAGE is a huge force in Africa’s music and entertainment industry, conquering the charts in her home country of Nigeria and becoming one of the most recognisable faces in the Afrobeats scene. 2018 was the most successful and strongest year for African star Tiwa Savage to date. The singer, songwriter, philanthropist and fashion icon was crowned Best African Act by the MTV European Music Awards and made history as the first female to win the accolade. In the same year also became the first African female to sell out London’s IndigO2 and she was handpicked by Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin to perform alongside Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Jay Z live at the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg to an 70,000 strong audience and millions across the globe.
ODUMODUBLVCK is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter and is a leading voice in Drill music. He coined Okporoko Rhythms, blending Grime, Afrobeat, and R&B. Since his debut single in 2017, he's championed his story, determined to redefine African music. ODUMODUBLVCK is a key figure in Nigeria's music scene, reaping the rewards of years of dedication.
EARL SWEATSHIRT is an American rapper and music producer. American rapper and producer known for his intricate lyricism, abstract production, and early association with the Odd Future collective. He has evolved from a teenage "hip-hop prodigy" into one of the most influential voices in the alternative and underground rap
INFINITY SONG, American soft rock siblings band Infinity Song is a Soft Rock band based in New York City comprised of 4 siblings, Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd. With a blend of tight vocal harmonies, dreamy lyricism and sublime guitar riffs, the band creates a transcendent experience for the audience on every stage and in their recorded music.
AMARIA BB Hackney-based, Jamaican-Guyanese singer-songwriter. She has been writing songs since she was a teenager. She started posting her music online in 2020 and has since gained a strong following for her unique sound. Her music is a blend of R&B, pop, and soul, with lyrics that draw from personal experiences.
RACHEL CHINOURIRI is a London-born, Zimbabwean-British singer-songwriter blending indie, alt-pop and soulful storytelling. Rising from early SoundCloud demos to breakout track 'So My Darling', she’s become one of the UK’s most exciting new voices. Her acclaimed debut album 'What a Devastating Turn of Events' landed in the Top 20 of the UK Official Charts and led to Rachel securing her first two BRIT Award nominations (Artist Of The Year, Best New Artist). Her most recent release 'Little House' features tracks like 'Can we talk about Isaac?', along with 'What A Life' and the title track. Rachel has earned support from artists like PinkPantheress, Adele, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender and opened for Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour. She will soon be joining Florence + The Machine on tour in 2026.
SEGA BODEGA was born in Ireland, raised in Glasgow and now based in London, producer, performer and label head Sega Bodega - AKA Salvador Navarrete - has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative and precocious creative minds. His impact spans music, fashion and film, soundtracking some of the most important cultural moments in recent years, as well as building a catalogue of solo releases that traverse genre, style and composition. Bodega has been a crucial hand in countless projects over the past decade, from the development of artists under his NUXXE label, to production for the likes of Caroline Polachek, Oklou, Shygirl + more.
SHAME is a south London based post punk band. They consist of vocalist Charlie Steen, guitarists Eddie Green and Sean Coyle-Smith, bassist Josh Finerty, and drummer Charlie Forbes. Their early reputation was built on intense, raw live shows and confrontational lyrics, often exploring personal & social angst. They released their debut album Songs of Praise in January 2018, followed by Drunk Tank Pink in 2021, Food for Worms in 2023, and their most recent album Cutthroat in September 2025. Over the years they’ve been praised for combining sharp social commentary with energy, wit and a willingness to push sonically while retaining a punk-edge.
CIRCA WAVES is an Indie Rock Band known for their nervy, melodic indie rock. Circa Waves was formed in Liverpool in May 2013 by Kieran Shudall. The band first gained a buzz and earned favourable comparisons to the Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and the Vaccines before they hit the Top Ten with their debut, 2015’s Young Chasers. Buoyed by singles like ‘T-Shirt Weather’ and ‘Stuck in My Teeth’, the album reached the Top Ten of the U.K. albums chart and paved the way for a series of well-attended live shows, including a sold-out date at London’s O2 .
FRASER T SMITH is a multi-award-winning producer, songwriter and musician. He is one of the most in-demand creators in contemporary music today. He has co-written, mixed and produced 7 Number One singles in the UK. In addition to 2 Billboard Number One singles in the US, and contributed to 18 Number One albums. He has spent most of his career producing and songwriting for some of the biggest artists in the world. Some include Adele, Stormzy, Sam Smith, Florence and the Machine, Drake, Gorillaz, Kano, Dave and more.
PETE TONG has for generations of electronic music fans around the world, been the definitive voice of the scene for decades. But don’t ever think of Pete Tong as part of the establishment. In fact, throughout his varied and astonishing career, he’s been a catalyst, a genuine agent for change. And it’s all based around a simple yet relentless personal mission: to find great music and talent, and to share it with as many people as possible.
Take the Ibiza Classics project, the globally touring, live orchestral extravaganza that’s seen Tong and collaborators Jules Buckley taking electronic music to another dimension. Initially conceived as a one-off for the Proms classical music festival in 2015, translating some of the most loved dance music anthems for an orchestra to celebrate 20 years of Radio One in Ibiza, the way that Classics caught the imagination shocked even Pete: “I went to Manchester to go on breakfast TV to launch it. And by the time I came back on the train to London, we'd sold 18,000 tickets.” The original core of the idea was to reach those ravers for whom going out to clubs all night was no longer a realistic option. “Life catches up,” says Pete. “But it doesn't mean you fall out of love with the music. Those songs; ‘Promised Land’, or ‘Your Love’, ‘Cafe Del Mar’: to some people they're just as important as the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. If you were there on the dance floor at, say, Space in Ibiza, they’re in your soul for the rest of your life.”
The Golden Globes® announced that acclaimed Golden Globe®, Grammy®, and Emmy®-nominated comedian, writer, and actress Nikki Glaser will return to host the 84th Annual Golden Globes, the first major award show of the season, airing live on Sunday, January 10, 2027 on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.*
Following her widely-praised turn as host in 2025 and 2026, Glaser, who made history as the first woman to host the Golden Globes solo, is set to bring her sharp wit, fearless humor, and unmistakable voice back to entertainment’s most celebrated night for a third year. Known for her bold comedic style, quick improvisation, and signature roasts, Glaser has consistently captivated audiences with her daring opening monologues. Her most recent monologue garnered nearly 14M+ views in the first 36 hours across Golden Globes social media platforms alone, setting the tone for an unforgettable and celebratory evening honoring the best in film, television, and podcasts.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nikki back to the Golden Globes stage in 2027,” said Helen Hoehne, President, Golden Globes. “Her comedic precision, authenticity, and ability to command the room is unmatched, and we can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve for next year's show.”
Glaser added, “I’m thrilled to host the Golden Globes for a third time, not only because it’s the greatest gig I’ve ever had, but because my sister has three kids and now we will be equal in the eyes of my parents and the Lord.”
Glaser has become one of the most prominent voices in comedy. Following a career-defining 2024 when she was named “Comedian of the Year” by The New York Times, Glaser was included on the TIME100: The Most Influential People of 2025 list and continued her momentum with the record-breaking HBO special “Someday You’ll Die,” which earned Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations and a WGA win. She recently made her hosting debut on “Saturday Night Live” and continues to tour internationally. With a slate of highly-anticipated projects on the horizon, Glaser will star alongside Kim Kardashian in Eva Longoria’s Netflix comedy The Fifth Wheel and will co-write, produce and star in an original comedy inspired by the classic game MASH for Paramount Pictures. Additionally, she will star in, co-write and produce a new romantic comedy for Universal Pictures with Judd Apatow producing. Glaser will next premiere her new Hulu stand-up special “Good Girl” on April 24, 2026.
The Golden Globes, “Hollywood’s Party of the Year®,” is the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television, and podcasting. Dick Clark Productions will plan, host and produce the annual Golden Globes, which has been viewed in more than 185 countries and territories worldwide.
The “83rd Annual Golden Globes,” “ET: Live on the Golden Globes Red Carpet,” and new primetime special “Golden Eve” reached a combined 21.77 Million viewers on CBS and Paramount+, according to Nielsen, and 27.07 Million international viewers across 169 territories.
*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
About Golden Globes®
As a premier entertainment awards show since 1944, the annual Golden Globes has honored achievements in both television and film. Over the last three decades, the Golden Globes has enabled donations of more than $55 million to entertainment-related charities including scholarship programs, film restoration projects and humanitarian efforts. This funding has also supported diverse programs in partnership with advocacy groups aimed at promoting greater access in Hollywood for underserved communities. Dick Clark Productions is the owner and producer of the Golden Globes. For more information on the Golden Globes, please visit GoldenGlobes.com and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and TikTok.
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
About Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 52nd American Music Awards Set to Air Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, on CBS and Paramount+
Nominations for the World’s Largest Fan-Voted Award Show Will be Announced on April 14, 2026
[EDITOR’S NOTE]: Media assets available here
Los Angeles, CA — March 10, 2026 — Today, CBS and Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming, announced the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) will air live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The star-studded must-see event will air coast-to-coast at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
As one of music’s most anticipated nights of the year, the 2026 AMAs will honor the most influential artists and songs of today, alongside unforgettable performances and special moments, in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music.
Nominations for the 52nd American Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
Fan voting powers the AMAs, with voting officially opening on Tuesday, April 14 and closing on Friday, May 8.
Additional details, including performers, presenters, special honorees, and ticket on-sale for the 52nd AMAs, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Last year’s top-rated 51st American Music Awards reached over 10 million unique viewers across its CBS and Paramount+ premiere on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, and encores on MTV, CMT, and BET. The CBS broadcast marked the show’s largest audience since 2019 with a +38% increase over its last live airing in 2022 on ABC.
Airing for the first time on Memorial Day, the 2025 AMAs kicked off summer with host Jennifer Lopez, who returned to host for the first time in 10 years and opened the show in spectacular fashion, delivering a non-stop, breathtaking medley of 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Performances included ICON Award recipient Janet Jackson; Alex Warren, Becky G and Manuel Turizo, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Rod Stewart.
About the American Music Awards:
- Celebrating the year’s most iconic music, the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases.
- Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the American Music Awards is known for delivering half a century worth of iconic performances and enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists.
- The American Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions.
For the latest news, exclusive content, and updates, follow the AMAs:
Website: TheAMAs.com
X: @AMAs
Instagram: @AMAs
TikTok: @AMAs
Facebook: @AMAs
Threads: @AMAs
YouTube: @TheAMAs
Hashtag: #AMAs
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
About Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com
*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
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[MEDIA APPLICATION] For more about press opportunities leading up to the show and on-site in Las Vegas, please fill out the Press Credential Application at your earliest convenience.
Florence, Italy Will Serve As The Host City For The Annual Event From October 14-17, 2022
March 15, 2022: Today, Robb Report and Penske Media Corporation are delighted to announce their support for the Gérard Basset Foundation and Liquid Icons by serving as the official media partner for the Golden Vines® Awards. Robb Report will sponsor the Golden Vines® World’s Best Fine Wine Producer Award during the ceremony, as well as be an official host at the Gala Dinners to be held in Florence, Italy from October 14 – 17, 2022.
Robb Report will be reporting live, both leading up to and during, the Golden Vines® Awards Ceremony and the Golden Vines® Fine Wine, Rare Spirit & Experience online auction. The auction benefits the Gérard Basset Foundation which is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of industry professionals and was created to address the most pressing issues in the wine, spirits, and hospitality industries through education, training, and mentorship. In 2021, the program raised over £1.2 million to fund diversity & inclusivity education programs globally in the world of wine, spirits & hospitality.
Lewis Chester DipWSET, Co-Founder and CEO of Liquid Icons said ‘We are delighted and excited to bring the world’s most recognized and influential luxury media brand on board as our Golden Vines® media partner. Golden Vines® is not only dedicated to raising money for diversity & inclusivity educational programs globally, but also about recognizing the best of the best in the world of fine wine through the hundreds of leading fine wine experts who vote for the Awards. In this regard, Robb Report’s excellence in identifying the best in the world of luxury is a perfect marriage and natural partnership with the Golden Vines®.
Adam Fox, Vice President International, Publisher Robb Report UK said, ‘Our partnership and support of the Gérard Basset Foundation and Liquid Icons emphasizes our commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives within the world of luxury, media, and hospitality. Robb Report’s voice has been unmatched in the global luxury market since 1976. Whether our affluent readers need a competitive edge in the industry, a thrilling new experience, or a meaningful addition to their collection, they rely on Robb Report to expertly curate all that the world of luxury has to offer. From the World’s Best Wine Maker, to the upcoming Rising Star, our exciting partnership with Liquid Icons will bring expertly curated content and rich insights into the world of fine wines for our discerning and successful audience.
The Golden Vines® Awards Ceremony is the world’s premium fine wine event, honoring the best of the best fine wine producers globally. 450 fine wine professionals from 55 countries with an average experience of more than 18 years in the industry voted for last year’s winners, with voting independently verified by Deloitte. This year’s event in Florence will be for 275 guests over 4 days and feature the best wines & spirits from Dom Pérignon, Krug, Trimbach, Château Cheval Blanc, Solaia, Emidio Pepe, Taylor’s Port, Château d’Yquem, Hennessy Cognac and The Macallan. The black-tie closing Gala will be held at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence on Sunday 16 October, featuring food from Italy’s top 3-star Michelin chef and a surprise world-class performer.
Registration and additional information about the 2022 Golden Vines® Awards can be found here.
About Robb Report
Robb Report is the leading voice in the global luxury market. Its discerning audience around the world has a shared appreciation and desire for quality, exclusivity, heritage, taste, and fine design. It is the brand the most successful people rely on to discover the ideas, opinions, products, and experiences that will matter most to them.
About Liquid Icons:
Liquid Icons is a fine wine research and content production company founded by two friends to “do stuff in wine” – the late, great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET. We create first-class original content and research about the world’s greatest fine wines and spirits. Our work encompasses motion picture, industry research, recognition and celebration of wine and spirits excellence, charitable and fundraising activities, as well as educational initiatives.
About Gérard Basset Foundation:
Set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gérard Basset OBE MW MS by addressing the wine industry’s most pressing issues through education, training & mentorship, the Gérard Basset Foundation comprises a multidisciplinary team of industry-leading professionals as its Trustees: Nina Basset FIH, Romané Basset, Ian Harris MBE DipWSET, and Jancis Robinson OBE MW.
https://gerardbassetfoundation.org
Penske Media Corporation
Brooke Jaffe, press@pmc.com
Las Vegas, Nevada – February 4, 2022 – Rolling Stone, a subsidiary of Penske Media, has acquired a majority interest in Life is Beautiful, an annual music, arts and ideas festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded in 2013, Life is Beautiful has played host to over 1 million fans and 600 plus artists. The 2021 festival was anchored by Billie Eilish, Green Day, and Tame Impala and drew over 170,000 in attendance, making it one of the highest grossing festivals in 2021 nationwide.
“Live events are an integral part of Rolling Stone’s future and Life is Beautiful is an incredible platform to realize this vision. Coupled with our significant digital scale and deep journalism, there are infinite possibilities to grow Life is Beautiful in unique and impactful ways,” said Rolling Stone CEO, Gus Wenner.
The festival, founded in 2013 by Tony Hsieh, former CEO of Zappos and visionary entrepreneur, was born as part of Tony’s vision to transform and revitalize the underserved Downtown Las Vegas community. In the 9 years since its founding, over $350 million dollars in economic impact and cultural capital have been injected into Downtown Las Vegas and the surrounding area.
“I am grateful to have worked with Tony on this partnership and am proud to have Rolling Stone help carry forward his mission,” said Wenner.
“Tony understood that his ability to change people’s lives was magnified exponentially by his ability to bring smart, motivated, people-focused entrepreneurs together,” said Richard Hsieh, Tony’s father. “The Life Is Beautiful festival is one of the greatest manifestations of Tony’s desire to bring people together.”
“We are thrilled to realize the potential of Life is Beautiful in partnership with Rolling Stone,” said David Oehm, CEO of Life is Beautiful. “As a landmark institution and touchstone of the music industry for over 50 years, the Rolling Stone team will help to deepen our connection to fans of music everywhere, while also championing the cultural initiatives that make Life is Beautiful so much more than a music festival.”
Rolling Stone plans to expand Life is Beautiful into new territories and broaden its digital footprint. Together, Rolling Stone and Life is Beautiful will continue to highlight the most important musicians and artists of today, offer exposure to new cultural experiences, and contribute to a more beautiful world. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
About Rolling Stone
Five decades since its founding, Rolling Stone today has evolved into a multi-platform content brand with unrivaled access and authority, reaching a global audience of over 60 million people per month. Staying true to its mission to tell exceptional stories that illuminate the culture of our times, Rolling Stone is an authority for music reviews, in-depth interviews, hard-hitting political commentary, and award-winning journalism across print, digital, mobile, video, social and events. Operated and published by Penske Media Corporation, Rolling Stone provides “all the news that fits.”
About Life is Beautiful
Life is Beautiful was born in 2013 as part of the major transformation of Downtown Las Vegas as a cultural hub and has since contributed over $350M of economic impact and cultural capital to the area. During the three-day festival, premier musical acts, experiential artists, comedians, thinkers and culinary talent flow into the urban streets of DTLV, in addition to the festival’s 170,000 attendees. What started as an event has become something more: a symbol of connection, joy and creativity. Life is Beautiful continues to be driven by its core mission to create a holistic experience which aids in positive community transformation and individual empowerment by collectivizing and inspiring through shared experiences driven by art and culture.
About Penske Media Corporation
Penske Media Corporation (PMC) is a leading independent global media and information services company whose award-winning content attracts a passionate monthly audience of more than 310 million. Since 2004, PMC has been a pioneer in digital media and a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands, which includes Deadline, Variety, Rolling Stone, SXSW, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, WWD, SHE Media, Robb Report, Sportico, BGR, ARTnews, Art in America, Fairchild Media, Spy.com, among many others. PMC’s journalists and content creators deliver daily the most comprehensive news and information in their industries and areas of coverage, unequaled in ambition, depth, and courage. Headquartered in New York and Los Angeles with additional offices in 14 countries worldwide, PMC believes companies should not only be profitable but also forces for good. To learn more about PMC, our 2% Foundation, and our portfolio of brands, please visit: http://www.pmc.com/.
Penske Media Corporation
Brooke Jaffe, press@pmc.com
New York, NY February 1, 2022 – Penske Media Corporation’s Black Affinity Group, a collection of individuals focused on connection, collective voice and community service, is excited to announce the launch of its second annual Black History Month Book Drive.
Throughout the month of February, and as part of its Black History Month initiatives, the Black Affinity Group will be fundraising through Penske Media Corporation’s 2% Foundation (to learn more, click here) to support underserved schools by supplying books that will broaden and diversify each library’s assortment.
The opportunity to engage through education is a high point for all, especially for young readers and Black authors who have made a vast contribution to literary history. Yet, across the country, many schools experience a lack of resources — or no resources at all — and are unable to experience these great works.
PMC’s Black History Month Book Drive serves as a way to encourage readership while supporting Black authors and purchasing books from small, Black-owned bookstores.
In its inaugural year, the 2021 Black Affinity Group Book Drive accomplished the following:
- Raised $58,311, including an internal corporate match
- Purchased 1,140 books through partnerships with four Black-owned bookstores
- Highlighted works of more than 70 Black authors
- Reached 69,975 students across 20 schools in California and New York, spanning grades K-12.
That translates to roughly one student reached for every dollar raised—and the impact was truly felt.
“When I walked into the office this morning, I had no idea that the huge stack of boxes by the front desk contained the titles from our book list. Thank you so much,” Denea McBroom, a teacher from Book Drive recipient Angeles Mesa Elementary School, told the Black Affinity Group. “I admit, I cannot remember the last time I was as excited to open anything, but looking through all the titles has brought an overwhelming amount of joy. The students will be so excited to share these stories with each other, to read books with characters that look like them and by authors who have brought these moments to life. Representation is so important. Again, I thank you. Angeles Mesa is grateful to you, specifically, and as a part of Penske Media for this invaluable resource library.”
Alan Pascale, a former teacher at Southside Academy in Syracuse noted this about his delivery of books: “We are SO grateful for the books. I was in tears the day they arrived, overwhelmed with gratitude. We are using the books for independent reading, literature circles and book talks. A few of my scholars have read four books since the donation, and many of the parents grabbed books to take home and read at our parent/teacher conferences in December. By far, with your donation, it is the best library I’ve ever had in my classroom and I’ve been teaching for 18 years!”
This year, the Black History Month Book Drive aims to double its impact, reaching two students for every dollar raised—or to bring diverse books to as many as 140,000 students in underserved schools.
The Book Drive launches today and will extend throughout the month of February, after which point publishers, book stores and school recipients will be designated for the donations.
To help the Black Affinity Group reach its 2022 Book Drive goal, contributions of any size can be made at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pmc-black-history-month-book-drive-2022
Los Angeles, CA January 19, 2022: Variety announced today that Dea Lawrence has been promoted from Chief Marketing Officer to Chief Operating and Marketing Officer effective immediately. Lawrence, who rejoined the Company in 2015 having previously run digital sales and marketing from 2001-2008, will oversee operational efficiencies, resource planning, organizational development and marketing for the brand with a focus on video and digital growth.
Over the past six years Lawrence has served as a change-agent, building two of the greatest growth units for the company. She led the reimagining of Variety’s thriving events and summits business pivoting to virtual with the creation of The Variety Streaming Room. Alongside EVP of Content/Executive Editor, Steven Gaydos, she created the Variety Content Studio which includes both brand storytelling and sponsored edit video series. Through smart technology vendor alliances, she has improved the infrastructure and productivity across creative, event production, ticket sales and social media.
“Dea is an innovative and exceptional executive with a varied and deep digital skill set which has been invaluable to Variety as the worlds of technology and media are now inseparable,” said Variety CEO and Group Publisher Michelle Sobrino-Stearns. ” Her leadership is a key factor to the success and evolution of the brand, and I couldn’t be more excited to work with her as we take Variety to the next level.”
“It is an honor to serve this premium brand in entertainment business news and to work with the best team in the industry,” said Lawrence. “I am grateful for the Company’s on-going trust in me and electrified to continue Variety’s expansion.”
Lawrence will resume reporting to Variety CEO, Michelle Sobrino-Stearns and is based out of Variety’s corporate headquarters in Los Angeles.
ABOUT VARIETY
Now in its 117th year, Variety is the seminal voice of the entertainment industry. Featuring award-winning breaking news reporting, insightful award-season coverage, must-read feature spotlights and intelligent analysis of the industry’s most prominent players, Variety is the trusted source for the business of global entertainment. Read by a highly engaged audience of industry insiders, aspirants and passionate entertainment enthusiasts, Variety’s multi-platform content coverage expands across digital, mobile, social, print, podcasts, branded content, events and summits.
LOS ANGELES, CA January 12, 2022: Variety has promoted Michelle Sobrino-Stearns, President and Group Publisher, to the newly created post of Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. She will retain the duties of Group Publisher. As CEO of Variety, Sobrino-Stearns will oversee both the editorial and business units of the venerable entertainment brand. She is responsible for setting Variety’s strategic agenda and driving its overall financial health and profitability while working closely with Penske Media’s senior leadership and its Board of Directors.
“There is no one who understands and cares more deeply about Variety, and no one more deserving to lead this team than Michelle,” said Chairman, Founder and CEO of Penske Media, Jay Penske. “It is a privilege to work with such a brilliant individual whose creativity, passion and vision for the brand knows no bounds and continues to inspire us 20 years later. I look forward to watching her continue to energetically lead Variety into its bright future.”
“I am incredibly fortunate to lead a team of passionate and outstanding journalists and executives at Variety who have contributed to making 2021 the most successful year in the brand’s 117-year history,” said Sobrino-Stearns. “We are accelerating growth at the company by executing multi-platform content creation and distribution strategies. The convergence of tech, media and consumer expands the horizons of our client base and presents new and exciting opportunities for the Variety brand.”
Under Sobrino-Stearns leadership, the brand has evolved over the past 9 years with record-breaking success over the last eighteen months. She will be based in PMC’s Los Angeles headquarters. Since its acquisition by PMC in 2012, Variety’s number of full-time employees has grown by 80%.
ABOUT VARIETY
Now in its 117th year, Variety is the seminal voice of the entertainment industry. Featuring award-winning breaking news reporting, insightful award-season coverage, must-read feature spotlights and intelligent analysis of the industry’s most prominent players, Variety is the trusted source for the business of global entertainment. Read by a highly engaged audience of industry insiders, aspirants and passionate entertainment enthusiasts, Variety’s multi-platform content coverage expands across digital, mobile, social, print, podcasts, branded content, events and summits.
January 10, 2022, New York, NY: Today Variety announced that Ramin Setoodeh will be elevated to Co-Editor-In-Chief of Variety in the coming months, working alongside world-class journalist Cynthia Littleton to lead the editorial operations of the venerable entertainment business news brand. Littleton and Setoodeh will co-run the newsroom and oversee editorial activities across all Variety platforms.
“Cynthia is one of the most intelligent and highly-regarded journalists in the industry. She possesses a rare mixture of kindness, deep integrity, professionalism, and killer journalistic instincts. Her world-class business reporting coupled with Ramin’s talent shaping Variety’s key content franchises make them the definition of a power duo. I look forward to seeing them lead the newsroom,” said Jay Penske, Chairman, Founder and CEO of Penske Media.
Littleton and Setoodeh will report to Michelle Sobrino-Stearns, Variety’s President and Group Publisher.
Littleton has been Co-Editor-In-Chief of Variety since October 2020, when it was announced that she would move into the top editorial post in 2022. Previously, she served in the role of Business Editor, based in New York, from 2017. One of the most respected reporters in the field, Littleton, has covered the television beat for more than 25 years.
“I am truly humbled by the opportunity to help lead Variety into its second century. I love this brand and I am so proud to be a part of its incredible legacy. The rebirth of Variety over the past decade under PMC has allowed us to thrive and grow across all media platforms,” Littleton said. “Thanks to PMC’s investment, Variety’s editorial team has never been more ‘boffo.’ Ramin and I have worked closely together during the past few years, and we can’t wait to build on this strong foundation to add new dimensions to the Variety universe.”
At present, Setoodeh serves as Variety’s Executive Editor, helping to steer day-to-day operations of the newsroom and spearheading editorial franchises. He has penned more than 50 cover stories for the magazine on subjects ranging from Lady Gaga, Ted Sarandos, Chadwick Boseman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, Robert Pattinson, Jeff Zucker and Halle Berry. Setoodeh oversees the magazine’s annual Pride and New York issues. He created the publication’s New Power of New York franchise, which has included guest essays by Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, Lena Waithe, David Remnick, Don Lemon, Leslie Jones and Timothee Chalamet. He is also known as the host and executive producer of “Actors on Actors,” Variety’s Emmy-winning, semi-annual TV series that features the best performances of the year in film and on television.
“Working at Variety for the last eight years under Claudia Eller’s leadership has been the most rewarding experience of my career. I’m incredibly excited to be teaming up with Cynthia Littleton, one of the best reporters and editors in the business, to grow our award-winning magazine and website,” said Setoodeh. “I look forward to expanding established franchises and creating new and exciting content for Variety — across print, online, video and live events. I am so grateful to Jay Penske and Michelle Sobrino-Stearns for this opportunity.”
Littleton is the author of “TV on Strike: Why Hollywood Went to War Over the Internet” (Syracuse University Press, 2013), the definitive account of the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike and the impact of the disruptive digital advancements that fueled the labor strife. She is also the co-author with Susanne Daniels of “Season Finale: The Unexpected Rise and Fall of the WB Network and UPN” (HarperCollins, 2007). Littleton edited the essay collection “What I Told My Daughter: Lessons From Leaders on Raising the Next Generation of Empowered Women” with Nina Tassler (Simon & Schuster, 2016).
Littleton began her career at United Press International, followed by stints at Broadcasting & Cable magazine, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, where she rose to editor before rejoining Variety in 2007. Littleton also co-hosts, with Andrew Wallenstein and Shirley Halperin, the weekly Variety podcast “Strictly Business,” featuring conversations with industry leaders about the business of media and entertainment.
Setoodeh is the author of the 2019 New York Times best-selling book “Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of ‘The View,’” about the daytime talk show created by Barbara Walters. He got his start in journalism at 17, as the teen movie critic for The Fresno Bee, his hometown newspaper. Before coming to Variety, he spent nine years at Newsweek as both an editor and senior writer. He’s also written for The Daily Beast and The Wall Street Journal.
About Variety
Recognized and respected throughout the world as the definitive voice of the entertainment industry, Variety has been the premier source of entertainment news for over a century. Since 1905, the most influential leaders and decision makers in entertainment have turned to Variety for timely, credible, and straightforward news, analysis, and perspective — taking our readers behind the cameras, curtains and screens of film, television, theatre, and digital media with our unique, award-winning combination of breaking news reporting, insightful deep dive think pieces and engaging, must-read feature spotlights.