EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami were named Billboard’s Women of the Year during a ceremony on April 29, 2026 [1].
The honor recognizes the trio's collective influence on the music industry and their specific contributions as the vocal core of HUNTR/X [5]. By elevating these artists, the award highlights the growing intersection of K-pop aesthetics and global music trends.
The event took place at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California [2]. The three recipients [3] were celebrated for their roles as the "K-Pop Demon Hunters," a designation tied to their work with HUNTR/X [5].
Billboard's Women in Music ceremony serves as an annual platform to acknowledge the achievements of women in the recording industry. The selection of EJAE, Nuna, and Ami reflects a shift toward recognizing collaborative groups and multi-hyphenate artists who bridge different cultural markets.
While some reports suggested the group appeared at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, primary records from the event focus on the Billboard honor [1]. The recognition comes as the trio continues to expand their reach through high-profile performances and strategic collaborations within the pop and R&B spheres.
The ceremony on April 29 [1] brought together industry leaders to celebrate the impact of female artists on global charts. The Hollywood Palladium [2] served as the backdrop for the announcement, marking a significant milestone for the three singers in their professional trajectories.
“EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami were named Billboard’s Women of the Year”
The selection of the HUNTR/X vocal trio as Women of the Year signals Billboard's acknowledgment of the 'K-pop' influence as a distinct, globalized genre that transcends national borders. By honoring three artists as a unit, the industry is recognizing the power of collaborative branding and the ability of these artists to blend traditional pop structures with niche conceptual identities.
