Why Camila Cabello Was Left Out Of The 2025 IHeartRadio Music Awards

🎗 5

The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards are fast approaching, celebrating the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and its digital platforms throughout 2024. While many of today’s biggest stars—such as Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, and Olivia Rodrigo—received multiple nominations, one major name was noticeably missing: Camila Cabello.

Despite releasing new music and performing at major events in 2024, Cabello failed to secure a single nomination at this year’s awards. Fans have since been left wondering: Was she really that inactive over the past year, or is something else at play?

In this analysis, we’ll break down Cabello’s musical activity in 2024, her album’s impact, and the possible reasons why she was overlooked at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Camila Cabello’s 2024 Music Releases

Her Fourth Studio Album: C,XOXO

Camila Cabello released her much-anticipated fourth studio album, C, XOXO, on June 28, 2024. This album marked an important milestone in her career, as it was her first independent release after leaving Epic Records.

Despite being a fresh start for the singer, C,XOXO failed to create the same level of buzz as her previous albums, such as Camila (2018) and Romance (2019). While those records spawned chart-topping hits like Havana and Señorita, her latest effort struggled to achieve mainstream success.

Singles and Their Impact

Several singles were released in support of the album:

“I Luv It” (feat. Playboi Carti)—Released March 27, 2024
- Peaked at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100
- Gained moderate traction but failed to become a massive radio hit
“He Knows” (feat. Lil Nas X) – Released May 10, 2024
- Generated buzz but didn’t crack the Hot 100’s top 50
“Hot Uptown” (feat. Drake)—Released June 28, 2024
- Despite the high-profile collaboration, it underperformed commercially
“Godspeed”: Released September 6, 2024, alongside the Magic City Edition deluxe version of the album
- Received critical praise but struggled with streaming numbers

Other tracks featured guest appearances from artists such as JT and Yung Miami of City Girls, BLP Kosher, and PinkPantheress (uncredited vocals).

How Did C,XOXO Perform?

Although C,XOXO marked a new creative direction for Cabello, it failed to make a significant cultural or commercial impact. The album received mixed-to-positive reviews, with some critics praising its experimental production and collaborations while others criticized its lack of cohesion.

In terms of sales and streaming:

C,XOXO debuted at #14 on the Billboard 200, a major drop compared to her previous albums.
None of its singles became chart-topping hits.
Streaming numbers were moderate, but not enough to make a huge splash in the industry.

While Camila Cabello remained musically active in 2024, her impact wasn’t as strong as in previous years.

How Much Did Camila Promote the Album?

Performances and Public Appearances

To support C, XOXO, Cabello made several high-profile appearances:

April 19, 2024: Coachella Surprise Performance
- She joined Lana Del Rey on stage to perform I Luv It.
- The performance generated buzz but didn’t translate into massive streaming gains.
May 1, 2024: “A Celebration of Women with Drive” Event
- She performed an acoustic version of I Luv It and an unreleased track, Twentysomethings.
June 12, 2024: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Performed I Luv It in a well-received live television performance.
Summer 2024: Festival Appearances
- Played at Rock in Rio Lisboa and Mawazine Festival in Morocco.

Did promotion play a role in her lack of nominations?

Despite these performances, Cabello’s promotional efforts seemed sporadic compared to other artists who dominated the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards nominations.

While artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift maintained a consistent media presence, Cabello occasionally took breaks from social media and public appearances, which may have contributed to lower engagement levels.

Why Wasn’t Camila Cabello Nominated at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards?

Several factors could explain why she didn’t receive a single nomination.

1. iHeartRadio’s Nomination Criteria

The iHeartRadio Music Awards are based on airplay data, streaming numbers, and fan engagement across iHeartRadio platforms. If Cabello’s music didn’t receive enough radio airplay, she would have automatically been at a disadvantage.

2. Lack of Major Chart Success

C,XOXO did not produce any major hit singles.
No songs from the album broke into the Billboard Hot 100’s top 50.
In contrast, artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, and Miley Cyrus had radio-dominating hits that secured them nominations.

3. Strong Competition from Other Artists

Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Dua Lipa were among the year’s biggest female artists.
Newcomers like Sabrina Carpenter and Ice Spice gained massive traction.
Country artists like Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan had record-breaking radio plays.

Given this competitive landscape, Cabello’s moderate success might not have been enough to secure an iHeartRadio nomination.

4. Was the Album Too Experimental?

C,XOXO saw Cabello experimenting with hyperpop, hip-hop, and electronic sounds.
While this creative shift was artistically bold, it may not have resonated with mainstream radio audiences.
iHeartRadio leans toward radio-friendly pop hits, and C,XOXO lacked a breakout mainstream song.

5. Lack of Social Media Engagement?

iHeartRadio heavily factors in fan engagement.
Camila’s social media activity was inconsistent throughout 2024.
While she has a dedicated fanbase, it wasn’t enough to drive award recognition.

What’s Next for Camila Cabello?

Will She Change Her Musical Direction?

With C,XOXO not reaching the heights of her past projects, Cabello might shift back to more mainstream pop sounds.

Upcoming Projects

Rumors suggest she is already working on new music for 2025 or 2026.
Possible collaborations with Latin artists may help her regain a stronger radio presence.

Could She Still Win Other Awards?

While iHeartRadio snubbed her, she might still receive recognition at the Billboard Music Awards, MTV VMAs, or the Grammys.

Final Thoughts: Was She Really That Inactive?

While Camila Cabello was active in 2024—releasing an album, performing at festivals, and promoting her singles—her music didn’t gain the massive traction needed for iHeartRadio recognition.

Her chart performance, radio airplay, and engagement levels simply couldn’t compete with today’s biggest pop stars.

However, this doesn’t mean her career is slowing down. With potential new music on the way, Cabello could make a strong comeback in 2025 and beyond.