HUNTR/X Named Billboard’s 2026 Women of the Year: What KPop Demon Hunters Fans Should Know

EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI, the singing voices behind HUNTR/X in Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, have been named Billboard’s 2026 Women of the Year. The honor places the real artists behind the fictional group at the center of Billboard Women in Music 2026, set for April 29 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. ¹

For fans, this is a particularly interesting crossover moment. HUNTR/X belongs to an animated story world, but the recognition is going to the three performers whose voices helped define that group’s music. Billboard’s announcement also states that EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI are the first group to collectively share the Women of the Year honor. ¹

HUNTR/X’s Billboard Women of the Year Moment

Billboard announced the selection on March 11, and Billboard Korea also reported that the announcement was made on March 11 local time. The ceremony is scheduled for April 29, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. ²

The honorees are tied directly to HUNTR/X, the fictional band in Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. BroadwayWorld also identifies EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI as the voices of the fictional band and says they will receive the 2026 Women of the Year Award at Billboard Women in Music. ³

The announcement included a short statement from Leila Cobo: “We are incredibly proud to honor EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI as Billboard’s Women of the Year.” ¹

That quote keeps the focus where it belongs: on the artists. The award is not simply attached to a film title, soundtrack campaign or fictional act. It names the people whose performances connect HUNTR/X to listeners outside the screen.

How to Watch Billboard Women in Music 2026

The viewing details are useful if you are following the HUNTR/X honor from home. GMA News reported that Billboard Women in Music 2026 will stream on Billboard.com and the Billboard YouTube channel at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time on April 29. ⁴

Keke Palmer is listed as host for the ceremony, a detail also reported by Billboard Philippines in its coverage of the 2026 Women of the Year announcement. ⁵

The wider event lineup includes more than the HUNTR/X recognition. GMA News listed Huntr/x as Women of the Year alongside honorees including BINI, The Beaches, Ella Langley, Kehlani, Laufey, Tate McRae, Teyana Taylor, Thalia and Zara Larsson. ⁴ Billboard Korea’s report also names other 2026 honorees, including Teyana Taylor, Tate McRae, Kehlani, Laufey, Thalia and Zara Larsson. ²

For KPop Demon Hunters fans, the key point is simple: this ceremony is where the Women of the Year recognition moves from announcement to event. It gives EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI a formal awards-stage spotlight connected to the HUNTR/X music that fans have been tracking.

Why KPop Demon Hunters Fans Are Paying Attention

Netflix Tudum describes KPop Demon Hunters as a Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation film about K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey, who secretly protect fans from supernatural danger. The story places them against a rival boy band of demons in disguise, and the film features original songs, including one performed by TWICE members Jeongyeon, Jihyo and Chaeyoung. ⁶

That premise explains why HUNTR/X has become such a specific fan focus. The group is fictional, but the music depends on real voices. Billboard’s Women of the Year honor gives those voices a separate identity in the broader music conversation.

There is also a soundtrack angle. BroadwayWorld reported that KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack milestones include “Golden” reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. ³ Billboard Philippines also connects the Women of the Year recognition to HUNTR/X’s soundtrack success from KPop Demon Hunters, including the awards run for “Golden.” ⁵

For fans who discovered the performers through the film, the award can work almost like a bridge. It connects the animated world of HUNTR/X with the real careers of EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI, making the ceremony relevant to both pop music watchers and animation fans.

FAQ

Who are Billboard’s 2026 Women of the Year?

EJAE, AUDREY NUNA and REI AMI have been named Billboard’s 2026 Women of the Year. They are recognized as the singing voices of HUNTR/X in Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters. ¹

When and where is Billboard Women in Music 2026?

Billboard Women in Music 2026 is scheduled for April 29, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. ²

How can fans watch the ceremony?

The event is set to stream on Billboard.com and the Billboard YouTube channel at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time on April 29. ⁴

The HUNTR/X Women of the Year honor is notable because it recognizes the performers behind a fictional group while keeping their real names at the center. For KPop Demon Hunters fans, Billboard Women in Music 2026 is the clearest moment yet where the movie’s musical world and the artists behind it meet in public view.

작성자 소개

Cloi Lee

Author

모든 글 보기