The 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs), held on May 26, 2025, at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, marked a triumphant return for the world’s largest fan-voted awards show after a two-year hiatus. Hosted by global superstar Jennifer Lopez, the night was a dazzling celebration of music, veterans, and pop culture, with electrifying performances, heartfelt tributes, and a few jaw-dropping moments. From Billie Eilish’s sweep of seven categories to Lopez’s steamy opening performance, the 2025 AMAs delivered a spectacle that had fans buzzing. But it wasn’t just J.Lo’s star power or the winners’ list that stole headlines—Tiffany Haddish’s cheeky commentary and Lopez’s bold onstage kisses sparked their own share of chatter. Let’s dive into the full recap of the night, the complete winners’ list, and why the 2025 AMAs will be remembered as a landmark event.
A New Era for the AMAs: Memorial Day and Las Vegas
For the first time in its 51-year history, the AMAs aired on CBS, moving from its traditional ABC broadcast and shifting from its usual fall slot to Memorial Day. This change aligned the show with a tribute to U.S. troops and veterans, in partnership with the Las Vegas-based Easy Day Foundation, which supports veterans’ transitions to civilian life. The event, held at the luxurious Fontainebleau Las Vegas, was a fitting backdrop for a night that blended glamour, nostalgia, and contemporary music.
Jennifer Lopez, who previously hosted in 2015, returned as the 2025 host, bringing her signature charisma and show-stopping energy. “We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Lopez back to host the American Music Awards,” said Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions. “Jennifer’s incredible talent and incomparable stage presence make her the ideal host of the show.” Lopez, a three-time AMA winner herself (Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist in 2003, Favorite Latin Artist in 2007 and 2011), kicked off the night with a performance that set the internet ablaze.
Jennifer Lopez’s Explosive Opening Performance
Lopez, at 55, proved she’s still a force to be reckoned with, opening the 2025 AMAs with a six-minute medley of 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Dressed in a sparkling leotard reminiscent of her 2019 It’s My Party Tour, she danced through songs like Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go!,” and her own 2012 hit “Dance Again.” The performance, backed by laser beams, pyrotechnics, and a sharp dance team, was a high-energy blitz that showcased Lopez’s roots as a dancer. “I started as a dancer, so my performances are very dance-oriented because that’s who I am at heart,” she told Billboard before the show.
The most talked-about moment came mid-performance when Lopez shared steamy kisses with several backup dancers—both male and female—while Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” played. The lip-locking sparked a frenzy on social media, with some fans praising her boldness and others calling it “cringe-worthy” or “desperate” in light of her recent divorce from Ben Affleck, finalized in January 2025. One X post quipped, “JLo’s AMAs performance was giving ‘I’m single and thriving’ energy!” while another criticized, “She’s lost the plot with those kisses.”
Tiffany Haddish, presenting the Favorite R&B Song award, couldn’t resist commenting. “Our host has just danced to 23 hits in six minutes,” she said. “Jenny from the Block got all her steps in for the day, and she got all her kisses in. Save a dancer for me, J.Lo. Damn! You ain’t the only one out here single.” The crowd roared, and Lopez, ever the good sport, laughed off the jab, which referenced her split from Affleck after less than two years of marriage.
Lopez’s performance wasn’t without its challenges. Days before the show, she revealed a facial injury sustained during rehearsals—a cut on her nose and a black eye, treated by celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond. “So this happened,” she posted on Instagram, later adding, “A week later and a whole lotta ice, I’m good as new.” Her resilience shone through, as she delivered a flawless performance despite the setback, proving why she’s a veteran of the AMAs stage, having performed over 10 times since her debut as a backup dancer for New Kids on the Block in 1991.
Tiffany Haddish’s Playful Banter and Presenter Highlights
Tiffany Haddish, 45, was one of many A-list presenters who brought humor and star power to the night. Her quip about Lopez’s single status wasn’t the only moment that stood out. Presenting the Favorite R&B Song award to SZA for “Saturn,” Haddish joked that the AMAs should be renamed the “JMAs” for Lopez’s commanding presence. Her comedic flair was a hit, with one X user posting, “Tiffany Haddish calling out JLo’s kisses was the highlight of the night!”
Other presenters included a diverse lineup: comedians Nikki Glaser and Wayne Brady, model Cara Delevingne, pop star Ciara, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, streamer Kai Cenat, country artist Megan Moroney, and nominee Shaboozey, who earned seven nominations. Heidi Klum, presenting Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist to Eminem, humorously referenced her 2022 track “Chai Tea with Heidi” featuring Snoop Dogg, saying, “That officially makes me the most unexpected hip-hop artist to ever come out of Germany.” The mix of music, film, and social media stars underscored the AMAs’ broad appeal.
The 2025 AMAs Winners: Billie Eilish Dominates
The 2025 AMAs were defined by Billie Eilish’s historic sweep, winning all seven categories she was nominated for, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Hit Me Hard and Soft), Song of the Year (“Birds of a Feather”), Favorite Touring Artist, Favorite Female Pop Artist, Favorite Pop Album, and Favorite Pop Song. Eilish, absent due to her world tour, sent a virtual acceptance speech that resonated with fans. “Billie Eilish sweeping all 7 categories at the #AMAs is unreal,” one X user posted.
Other major winners included:
- SZA: Favorite Female R&B Artist and Favorite R&B Song (“Saturn”). She accepted her awards in a bedazzled outfit, visibly emotional. “I feel like this might be my first time at this award show,” she said.
- Beyoncé: Favorite Female Country Artist and Favorite Country Album (Cowboy Carter), marking her first AMA wins in country categories.
- Eminem: Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Hip-Hop Album (The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)). He sent a video message for his win.
- Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars: Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Music Video (“Die With a Smile”). Mars also won Favorite Male Pop Artist, and Gaga took Favorite Dance/Electronic Artist.
- Gracie Abrams: New Artist of the Year.
- Becky G: Favorite Female Latin Artist, expressing shock and gratitude onstage.
- Doechii: Social Song of the Year (“Anxiety”).
Kendrick Lamar, despite leading with 10 nominations, won only Favorite Hip-Hop Song (“Not Like Us”). Post Malone (eight nominations) and Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey (seven each) were notably shut out. Swift’s absence and lack of wins disappointed fans, with one X post stating, “Taylor Swift didn’t win any of her six nominations at the #AMAs. The Swifties are in disbelief!”
Performances That Lit Up the Stage
Beyond Lopez’s opening, the 2025 AMAs featured a stellar lineup of performers. Janet Jackson, honored with the Icon Award, delivered her first TV performance in seven years, a medley of hits like “Nasty” and “If.” Lopez introduced her as “the blueprint for how to be a strong female artist in this business.” Rod Stewart, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, performed classics, introduced by his children.
Benson Boone brought his viral hit “Mystical Magical” to life, complete with a mid-performance backflip, while Gwen Stefani, Gloria Estefan (her first AMA performance in 32 years), Blake Shelton, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, Becky G, Manuel Turizo, and Alex Warren also took the stage. Boone’s bold purple suit and crowd walk were highlights, with People noting his “Freddie Mercury energy.”
Memorial Day Tributes and Veteran Honors
The AMAs’ Memorial Day timing brought a poignant focus on veterans. The Easy Day Foundation partnered with the show to present moments celebrating U.S. troops, including the inaugural Veterans Voice Award given to Zac Brown. Performers and presenters, including Lopez, took time to honor service members, with several winners dedicating their awards to veterans. “This year’s AMAs felt bigger than music,” one X user posted. “The veteran tributes were so moving.”
Controversies and Social Media Buzz
Lopez’s kisses with her dancers divided fans. Daily Mail reported that some called the moment “disgusting” and speculated it was a jab at Affleck, while others saw it as a bold statement of independence post-divorce. “JLo kissing her dancers at the #AMAs was iconic,” one X post declared, while another countered, “She’s trying too hard to prove a point.”
Haddish’s single-life joke added fuel to the conversation, with fans on X debating whether it was a playful dig or crossed a line. “Tiffany Haddish calling out JLo’s divorce was savage but hilarious,” one user wrote. Lopez, however, remained unfazed, focusing on her hosting duties and eight outfit changes, from a silver fringed dress to a backless sequined jumpsuit.
The absence of major nominees like Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Beyoncé also sparked chatter. Swift’s no-show, despite six nominations, fueled speculation about her avoiding recent lawsuit drama or saving a Reputation (Taylor’s Version) announcement for another time. “Taylor Swift skipping the AMAs and not winning anything is a plot twist,” one X user noted.
Why the 2025 AMAs Mattered
The 2025 AMAs were more than an awards show—they were a cultural moment. The move to Memorial Day and CBS, the focus on veterans, and the star-studded lineup signaled a new chapter for the AMAs. Lopez’s return as host, a decade after her 2015 gig, cemented her as a pop culture icon, while Eilish’s sweep and Jackson’s Icon Award performance underscored the show’s ability to bridge generations.
The fan-voted nature of the AMAs, based on metrics like streaming, album sales, and tour grosses tracked by Billboard and Luminate, ensures it reflects the pulse of music fandom. This year’s record-breaking votes highlighted the passion of fans, even if some results—like Swift’s shutout—surprised them.
Friendly Takeaways
For those searching for details on the 2025 AMAs, here’s the rundown:
- Who hosted the 2025 AMAs? Jennifer Lopez, who also performed a six-minute medley of 23 hits, including kisses with backup dancers that sparked controversy.
- What was the highlight of JLo’s performance? Her high-energy dance number, featuring songs like Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” and her bold kisses with dancers.
- Who won at the 2025 AMAs? Billie Eilish swept seven categories, including Artist of the Year. Other winners included SZA, Beyoncé, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Gracie Abrams.
- What did Tiffany Haddish say? She joked about Lopez’s single status and kisses, saying, “Save a dancer for me, J.Lo. Damn!”
- Where and when were the AMAs? May 26, 2025, at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, airing on CBS and Paramount+.
- Why was the date significant? The Memorial Day timing honored U.S. veterans, with tributes and the Veterans Voice Award.
Conclusion
The 2025 American Music Awards were a night of triumphs, surprises, and unforgettable performances. Jennifer Lopez’s electric hosting and provocative opening set the tone, while Billie Eilish’s dominance and Janet Jackson’s Icon Award performance reminded fans why the AMAs remain a cultural touchstone. Tiffany Haddish’s humor, the star-packed presenter lineup, and the focus on veterans added depth to a show that celebrated music’s past, present, and future.
As the AMAs look to make Memorial Day their permanent home, the 2025 edition proved they can still captivate audiences. Whether it was Lopez’s kisses, Eilish’s sweep, or the heartfelt veteran tributes, the night left an indelible mark. Fans are already looking forward to 2026, but for now, the 2025 AMAs will be remembered as a bold, star-powered kickoff to summer.
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