- Wednesday, May 28, 2025
The American Music Awards returned in 2025 with glitz, glamour, and throwback icons, but without major A-listers like Taylor Swift or Kendrick Lamar, leaving fans with a show heavy on nostalgia but light on star power.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
The American Music Awards returned for their 51st edition on Memorial Day 2025 in Las Vegas, but the long-anticipated comeback fell flat as several big-name artists gave the event a miss. Held at the Fontainebleau and broadcast on CBS for the first time after decades on ABC, the AMAs leaned heavily on nostalgia and veteran performances — with modern chart-toppers largely absent.
Jennifer Lopez, who hosted for the second time, opened the show with a high-energy dance medley to hits like Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The 55-year-old star even kissed both male and female dancers during Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things.” It was a powerful moment for Lopez, who has faced professional and personal challenges in the last year. But aside from her impressive dance moves, her presence as host felt minimal. Comedian Nikki Glaser, presenting an award, injected more charisma in a brief cameo than Lopez did throughout the night.
One of the few bright spots among younger artists was Benson Boone, who dazzled in a purple suit with his signature acrobatic flips while performing “Magical Mystical.” Meanwhile, Gwen Stefani offered a dose of nostalgia with hits like “Hollaback Girl” and her new single “Shallow My Tears,” introduced by her husband Blake Shelton.
Among the night’s standout honors, Rod Stewart received the Lifetime Achievement Award with a surprise onstage appearance by five of his eight children. He followed it up with a performance of “Forever Young.” Janet Jackson, recipient of the Icon Award, gave her first TV performance in seven years with “Someone to Call My Lover” and “All for You,” but the tribute presentation felt underwhelming, especially with Tasha Smith — instead of music peers like Ciara or SZA — introducing her.
On the downside, Renee Rapp’s performance of “Leave Me Alone” lacked impact, raising questions about how such a new artist landed a high-profile slot. Equally puzzling was Eminem’s win as Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist over Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and others — a reminder of how fan-voted awards often skew toward legacy appeal rather than current relevance.
One of the most viral moments came during a presentation by Shaboozey and Megan Moroney. When Moroney read a teleprompter line crediting the Carter Family as inventors of country music, Shaboozey threw a memorable side eye — highlighting the ongoing conversation about Black artists’ influence in country music.
Ultimately, the biggest letdown was the absence of nearly all nominees for Artist of the Year — Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, and more. Only SZA attended, while Eilish accepted her win via video.
With a lineup heavy on past icons and light on current megastars, the 2025 AMAs reminded fans more of a Vegas tribute show than a celebration of contemporary pop culture.
