iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025: SZA Makes History With R&B Artist of the Year Win

Watch:iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025: JoJo Siwa Explains Her Massive Crown & Red Carpet Look (Exclusive)

Nobody gets SZA like the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

The “Kill Bill” singer was recognized as the R&B Artist of the Year during the 2025 ceremony hosted by LL Cool J, achieving quite the impressive feat along the way.

With her victory, SZA (real name Solána Rowe) became the first artist in iHeartRadio history to receive the award three times. The singer, who was nominated alongside Chris Brown, Muni Long, Usher and Victoria Monet, previously won the category in 2023 and 2024. (Check out all the 2025 winners here.)

“I’m incredibly grateful,” she said as she accepted the honor at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles March 17 before thanking her team and her fans who have “helped us break out of any genre every single time.” “Thank you for recognizing me, thank you for playing my music.”

SZA added, “Have a blessed evening.”

The 35-year-old scored a total of four nods at this year’s show including Best Lyrics for her single “Saturn,” Hip-Hop Song of the Year for “Rich Baby Daddy” with Drake and Sexyy Red, and the coveted Artist of the Year. Other big names vying for the top prize include Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen, who led this year’s nominations with 10 each, as well as Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter and Teddy Swims.

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The event also included special recognition for Lady Gaga, who received the Innovator Award, as well as Mariah Carey, who was honored with this year’s Icon Award. Taylor, meanwhile, was celebrated for her record-breaking Eras Tour, which was given the title of Tour of the Century during the broadcast.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

As for SZA, she’s set to hit the road on her own stadium trek alongside Kendrick Lamar as the two kick off their co-headlining Grand National Tour in Minneapolis April 19. And while fans were mesmerized by their performance at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show earlier this year, the singer recently revealed the tour will be an entirely different spectacle.

“We’re doing a new thing. We’re doing a fun thing,” she said during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! March 11. “We’re both just kind of throwing all the paint at the wall… this is our first stadium show for the two of us, so we have to pretty much go insane.”

To see all the arrivals from the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, keep reading. 

Kelsea Ballerini

In Alexandre Vauthier.

Mariah Carey

FINNEAS & Billie Eilish

Doechii

JoJo Siwa

In Versace.

Bad Bunny

Gracie Abrams

In Khaite.

GloRilla

In Valdrin Sahiti.

Becky G

In The New Arrivals RE25.

Jenny McCarthy

In Genny.

Nikki Glaser 

In Stella McCartney.

Benson Boone

Tori Spelling

Ashanti & Nelly

Ashanti in Balmain.

Victoria Monét

Brandi Cyrus

In Dolce & Gabbana.

Cheryl Burke

LL Cool J

Chanel West Coast

Madison Beer

Hair styled using OGX products.

Offset 

AJ McLean

Daniel Wai & Ariana Madix

Ariana in Miraco jewelry.

Janet Caperna & Brittany Cartwright

James Charles

Joel McHale 

Robin Thicke

Muni Long

Linkin Park’s Emily Armstrong, Joe Hahn, Mike Shinoda & Colin Brittain

Tori Kelly

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View More Photos From iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025: Red Carpet Fashion
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