Star Power Lights Up the American Music Awards Stage
The American Music Awards 2025 landed in high style at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, packing in a room that was buzzing from the start. Jennifer Lopez took her role as host up a notch – not only did she keep the crowd energized between segments, but she also took the stage with a new single that had the place up on its feet. Lopez's double-duty performance made it clear she’s still a true force in pop.
As show openers go, nothing topped the sense of history when Janet Jackson returned to TV for her first live performance since 2018. She stunned fans with a medley of hits but didn’t just stop there; later in the night, Jackson received the ICON Award, underscoring her enduring impact on music, style, and culture. She spoke to the crowd about resilience and creativity, earning not just cheers but a standing ovation from even the newest names in the crowd.
Rod Stewart, another undeniable legend, was all elegance as he accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. After some choice words about what keeps him going, Stewart launched into a classic from his catalog. His signature raspy vocals filled the venue, reminding audiences why his music keeps reaching new generations. Even the A-list crowd looked a little awestruck.
Fresh Faces and Veteran Stars Share the Spotlight
The night didn’t just celebrate established icons — new stars had plenty of room to shine. Becky G teamed up with Manuel Turizo to debut "Que Haces" live for the first time, and the crowd responded with instant approval. Up next, Benson Boone showed why his raw vocals are turning heads everywhere, while country star Blake Shelton brought old-school swagger to promote his latest album. Gloria Estefan and Gwen Stefani each gave lively performances that played off their superstar personas, and Lainey Wilson, riding high on recent country charts, showed she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Another key moment came when Alex Warren, known mostly for his social media presence, left the internet behind and stepped onto the AMA stage. His performance had an air of nervous excitement but was met with loud applause — a reminder of how fast digital fame is translating to real-world success stories.
The list of presenters could have filled a festival lineup on its own. Cara Delevingne and Ciara brought high fashion. Tiffany Haddish slipped in sharp jokes. Country star Zac Brown handed out a major award, while Twitch streamer Kai Cenat and gymnast Jordan Chiles pointed to how music’s reach goes way beyond just the stage or recording studio. There were wholesome moments too, like up-and-comers Shaboozey and Megan Moroney giving fans a look at the next wave of chart-toppers.
Kendrick Lamar set the bar high this year, leading the pack with ten nominations. While fans waited to see how many trophies he’d snag, just his presence in so many categories was a talking point all night. The AMAs have always mixed chart success with cultural impact, and 2025 proved you need more than just streaming numbers to make a long-term dent in music history.
The blend of generations, genres, and genuine firsts — from Rod Stewart’s career milestone to Alex Warren’s debut — is exactly why people keep coming back to the AMAs. The show did what it does best: mix spectacle, surprise, and a deep dive into all the ways music keeps up with, and sometimes leads, the times.