EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI‘s golden year continues: Billboard announced Wednesday (March 11) that the acclaimed singers behind the KPop Demon Hunters girl group HUNTR/X are this year’s Women of the Year at Billboard Women in Music 2026.
The trio will be honored at the Billboard Women in Music ceremony April 29 at the iconic Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, accepting the coveted prize alongside fellow 2026 honorees Teyana Taylor, Tate McRae, Ella Langley, Kehlani, Laufey, Mariah the Scientist, Thalia and Zara Larsson. As previously announced, the awards will be hosted by Keke Palmer, who will also perform, and the show will stream live on Billboard.com and Billboard‘s YouTube channel.
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“We are incredibly proud to honor EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI as Billboard’s Women of the Year,” says Leila Cobo, co-chief content officer of Billboard. “In a year marked by record-breaking achievements, major awards and extraordinary global success, they have not only dominated the charts, but also redefined what it means to be powerful women in this industry and on the world stage.
“In just the past year, the music of HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters has produced true global anthems, and the individual artistry of EJAE, REI AMI and AUDREY NUNA has been an inspiration for millions of young people around the world,” she continues. “We look forward to celebrating their collective impact, alongside the other remarkable honorees, at our annual Women in Music event.”
The honor comes as KPop Demon Hunters has dominated pop culture since the Netflix film arrived last summer, quickly becoming the streamer’s most-watched program of all time. Its soundtrack has proven just as successful as the movie itself, with the album topping the Billboard 200 and standout single “Golden” spending eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has also had a historic awards run, winning best original song at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes and earning a nomination at Sunday’s Oscars.
The Women of the Year honor only adds to HUNTR/X’s history-making legacy. The vocalists are the first group to ever collectively share the prize, which has been previously awarded to such stars as Doechii, Karol G, SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.
More performers and presenters for the 2026 Women in Music ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks as the ceremony approaches. Tickets and tables at the event are available for purchase.
