‘Kpop Demon Hunters’ Star Rei Ami Just Owned the VMAs Blue Carpet, and Fans Can’t Stop Talking About It
Few voices have soundtracked the past year quite like the ones behind Huntrix, and Rei Ami’s VMAs appearance proved she’s ready to step into the spotlight on her own terms. The singer and rapper, born Sarah Yeeun Lee in Seoul and raised in Germantown, Maryland, has spent years building a following in R&B, hip-hop, and alt-pop. Fun fact for anime fans: she has said her stage name comes from the ‘Sailor Moon’ characters Rei Hino and Ami Mizuno.
Her profile exploded thanks to ‘KPop Demon Hunters’, where she contributes vocals for the fictional girl group Huntrix alongside Ejae and Audrey Nuna. Their breakout anthem “Golden” swept awards season, earning the Critics’ Choice, Golden Globe, and Academy Award for Best Original Song, and its official lyric video crossed 1 billion views on YouTube in January.
That momentum carried straight to the MTV Video Music Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday. Pop Crave shared 2 photos of the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ star on X. The look itself was a bold one. Rei Ami wore a sheer black ensemble by HILA that left very little hidden, though its layered embellishment kept it from reading as completely naked. She piled on Hoorsenbuhs white-gold and diamond jewelry, adding even more detail to an already intricate outfit.
The photos show the beaded, web-like design draping over a low-rise skirt, with her dark hair swept into a messy updo with face-framing bangs. It fit neatly into one of the night’s recurring themes, as the carpet was full of lace, corsetry, and sheer gowns.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ star REI AMI stuns at the #VMAs. https://t.co/Hx2Cm2Lz5O
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 27, 2026
The reaction online was pure delight. One fan joked that Zoey really showed up ready to hunt demons and the red carpet, while another admitted they didn’t know the demon hunters “got down like that.” The playful replies captured how much the film’s characters have become intertwined with the real voices behind them.
She also joined in on the fun elsewhere on the carpet. Billboard featured her in a “pass the mic” video, where stars including Tyla, Slayyyter and FLO asked each other questions. Rei Ami wasn’t just there to pose. “Golden” was nominated for Song of the Year, competing against tracks like Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Bring Your Love,” Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” and RAYE’s “Where Is My Husband!”
REI AMI is a beauty on the #VMAs carpet. pic.twitter.com/5Wp19Pin9q
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 27, 2026
In the end, the trophy went to BTS for “Swim,” the lead single from their album ‘Arirang’. The septet swept all 3 of its nominations, marking a comeback year after reuniting as a full group in March following a nearly 4-year hiatus.
Losing out on one Moon Person barely dents what has been a remarkable run. Huntrix was among the most awarded acts at this year’s American Music Awards, taking home 3 trophies. In April, the group’s voices also surprised Coachella audiences by joining Katseye on stage to perform “Golden.”
The VMAs also capped a busy stretch for Rei Ami personally. She arrived just days after appearing at the ‘America’s Got Talent’ finale, and on September 17 she released “2 Loud,” her first single under her new label deal.
HUNTR/X's Rei Ami thanks her Perfect 10 music video for making her want to become a "baddie pop star" #VMAs pic.twitter.com/lm82hSGVoA
— Pitchfork (@pitchfork) September 28, 2026
For many fans, the voices behind Huntrix were initially anonymous, hidden behind animated characters. Moments like this carpet appearance show Rei Ami stepping fully into her own identity as an artist, with a look as fearless as her music. With a new single out and the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ phenomenon still going strong, her solo era looks like it’s just getting started.
What do you think of Rei Ami’s sheer HILA look at the VMAs?
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