Ariana Grande is the most popular MTV VMA Artist of the Year nominee

Jamie BallardData Journalist
August 19, 2019, 7:00 PM GMT+0

The MTV Video Music Awards are happening on August 26. Unlike many other awards shows, the winners of the VMAs are determined by public voting. Fans can visit the VMAs site and cast their vote daily up to 10 times per category.

One of the evening’s biggest awards is Artist of the Year. This year’s nominees for Artist of the Year are Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Halsey, the Jonas Brothers and Shawn Mendes.

Data from YouGov finds that of the 2019 nominees, Ariana Grande is the most popular. Almost four in ten (38%) Americans have a positive opinion of the “thank u, next” singer.

The Jonas Brothers also fare well with about one-third (32%) of the American public. Shawn Mendes and Cardi B are tied, with 29% of the American public holding a positive opinion of both. Slightly fewer (23%) say they have a positive opinion of Halsey, while 16% like Billie Eilish.

Although Ariana may be the most well-liked nominee, she’s not quite the most famous. That honor goes to the Jonas Brothers -- 90% of Americans have heard of the band, while 87% have heard of Ariana Grande.

Ariana Grande is tied with Taylor Swift this year for the most nominations. Both singers earned 10 VMAs nominations this year. Data from YouGov finds that 50 percent of Americans have a positive opinion of Swift, making her 12 points more popular than Grande. Almost all (97%) Americans say they’ve heard of Swift, making her more well-known than any of the 2019 nominees for VMA Artist of the Year.

Who is your favorite VMA Artist of the Year nominee? Sign up for the YouGov panel and let us know what you think.

Image: Getty