Nikki Glaser Tops Best Dressed at 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards in LA
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards illuminated Los Angeles on Thursday night, with comedian Nikki Glaser leading the charge as the best dressed star of the evening. The 41-year-old Taylor Swift superfan captivated onlookers in a sensational strapless black gown that beautifully accentuated her sun-kissed complexion. She completed her elegant look with dangling silver earrings and a minimalist black clutch purse, setting a high standard for red carpet glamour.
Star-Studded Fashion Highlights
Tori Spelling, aged 52, turned heads in a ravishing red gown that featured a daring see-through corset bodice and an elegantly draped skirt with a thigh-high slit. Standing tall on silver platform heels, she styled her bleach blonde hair in a sleek bob, exuding confidence and sophistication. Meanwhile, Kehlani, 30, showcased her impressive tattoo collection in a striking black and red ballgown. This eye-catching frock boasted a red corset bodice and a billowing black skirt with a bold slit up one leg, making a powerful fashion statement.
In a poignant moment, Teddi Mellencamp, 44, looked ultra-sexy in a low-cut black satin slip dress and heels. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, who is bravely battling stage four cancer after a melanoma diagnosis in 2022 that metastasized to her lungs and brain, attended to support her father, John Mellencamp, the 2026 Icon Award recipient. She appeared thrilled to celebrate his legacy as one of America's premier heartland rock icons.
More Celebrity Style Moments
Jenny McCarthy, 53, sizzled as she flaunted her gym-honed figure in a black strapless dress with a daring thigh-slit, rocking her signature blonde hair and sky-high heels. She was accompanied by her pop star husband, Donnie Wahlberg, 56, who walked the red carpet separately in a stylish black dress shirt and skinny slacks. The longtime couple made sure to pose together, adding a touch of romance to the festivities.
Music legends also graced the event, with Sandra Denton, DJ Spinderella, and Cheryl James of Salt-N-Pepa posing in coordinating dark green looks featuring busty corsets. En Vogue members Maxine Jones, Cindy Herron, and Terry Ellis were also present, adding to the star power. Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean made a bold entrance in a fuzzy red coat, baggy trousers, and platform high-top sneakers, flashing a peace sign for the cameras.
Diverse Fashion Statements
Raye, 28, put her cleavage on display in a plunging black frock with cap sleeves and a curve-clinging skirt, accentuating her look with bright red lipstick. Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu, 20, drew attention with her famous 'halo' hairstyle while wearing an elegant black halter dress. Zombies star Meg Donnelly, 25, took the plunge in a very low-cut black gown with a semi-sheer skirt and train, while country singer Ella Langley, 26, channeled Y2K glamour in a plunging black A-line dress with frilly black mesh trim.
Shaboozey showcased a shiny white gold grill in his mouth, styled with his go-to cowboy hat, a fitted leather jacket, and straight-leg jeans. Tinashe, 33, put on a busty display in a sexy curve-clinging dress with a black skintight bodice and a draped skirt boasting shades of pink, purple, and red, highlighting her as one of the night's award recipients.
Awards Ceremony Details
The 13th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted by Ludacris, celebrate the year's most-streamed hits and artists across the iHeartRadio app and broadcasting stations. Taylor Swift leads with nine nominations, including Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for The Fate of Ophelia from her 2025 record, The Life of a Showgirl. Fans speculate she might use the ceremony's 13th anniversary to drop a major announcement, echoing her past surprise album reveal at the Grammys.
Other top nominees include Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and Alex Warren, with Warren set to receive the Breakthrough Artist of the Year award. Miley Cyrus will be honored with the Innovator Award, recognizing her significant impact on the music industry and global culture. The show features performances by TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue together for the first time, along with Warren, Lainey Wilson, Ludacris, RAYE, Kehlani, and John Mellencamp, who will also receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Icon Award.
Fan voting will decide winners in categories like Favorite Broadway Debut and Best Lyrics, with special appearances by Alysa Liu, Ne-Yo, and Nikki Glaser. John Sykes and Tom Poleman of iHeartMedia emphasized that the event is a fan-centric celebration, offering an exclusive preview of summer 2026 hits. The show aired on FOX and iHeartRadio stations nationwide, kicking off at 8 p.m. ET.
