The 2025 American Music Awards returned on Monday (May 26) after taking a two-year hiatus, with the ceremony for the “biggest fan-voted awards show in the world” taking place at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Billie Eilish was the night’s big winner, taking home Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft, and Song of the Year for “Birds of a Feather,” along with Favorite Female Pop Artist, Favorite Touring Artist, and Favorite Pop Album and Song. Jennifer Lopez served as the host, and she opened the festivities with a six-minute dance routine set to 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Janet Jackson was presented with the Icon Award, and she also delivered her first live TV performance in seven years. Rod Stewart was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by five of his children, who truly surprised Sir Rod. The 80-year-old singer closed down the show with a spirited rendition of his classic hit, “Forever Young.” With the award ceremony taking place on Memorial Day, there were tributes to military members throughout the show, with hundreds of service members in the crowd.
The night’s other winners included Gracie Abrams who took home New Artist of the Year, Bruno Mars won Favorite Male Pop Artist, as well as Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Music Video for his chart-topping collab with Lady Gaga, “Die With A Smile,” with Gaga taking home Favorite Dance/Electronic Artist. Beyoncé won Favorite Country Album for Cowboy Carter and also was awarded Favorite Female Country Artist, while Post Malone won Favorite Male Country Artist, and his collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help,” took home Favorite Country Song. Eminem won Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist and his The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) took home Favorite Hip-Hop Album, while Megan Thee Stallion won Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist. Kendrick Lamar was the night’s most nominated artist with 10 nods, though he only won one award as “Not Like Us” took home Favorite Hip-Hop Song. Kendrick’s Grand National Tour-mate SZA won Favorite Female R&B Artist and her “Saturn” won Favorite R&B song, while The Weeknd won Favorite Male R&B Artist and his Hurry Up Tomorrow took home Favorite R&B Album.
Latin music icon Gloria Estefan returned to the AMA stage for the first time in over 30 years to perform a medley of her hits, while Becky G was named Favorite Female Latin Artist and also performed, while Bad Bunny won Favorite Male Latin Artist and his DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS won Favorite Latin Album. Twenty One Pilots won Favorite Rock Artist and Favorite Rock Album for Clancy. RM won Favorite K-pop Artist, while Tyla took home Favorite Afrobeats Artist.
As for the rest of the performances, Alex Warren performed his Billboard Global 200 No. 1 hit, “Ordinary,” and Lainey Wilson delivered the debut performance of her new single, “Somewhere Over Laredo.” Gwen Stefani celebrated the 20th anniversary of her first AMAs by performing a medley of her hits, while her husband, Blake Shelton, performed at the ceremony for the first time. Benson Boone performed his new song, “Mystical Magical,” while Reneé Rapp delivered her new single, “Leave Me Alone,” from her forthcoming album, Bite Me, which is due out August 1. (Variety)
