The 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs), held on May 26, 2025, at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, were a star-studded affair hosted by Jennifer Lopez. The night was filled with electrifying performances, bold red carpet looks, and a few unexpected moments. But for Taylor Swift fans, the event was a rollercoaster of anticipation and disappointment. Swift, who holds the record for the most AMA wins in history with 40, was nominated for six categories this year. Fans, known as Swifties, were buzzing with theories that she might attend to announce the long-awaited Reputation (Taylor’s Version), the re-recorded version of her 2017 album. However, Swift was a no-show, didn’t win any awards, and left the Reputation (TV) rumors unfulfilled. Let’s unpack the night, the speculation, and what it all means for Taylor Swift’s next move.
The 2025 AMAs: A Night of Highs and Lows
The AMAs, often billed as the largest fan-voted awards show, returned after a two-year hiatus, bringing together music’s biggest names for a night of celebration. Performers like Janet Jackson (who received the Icon Award), Rod Stewart (honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award), Benson Boone, Gwen Stefani, and Reneé Rapp lit up the stage. Billie Eilish emerged as the night’s biggest winner, sweeping all seven categories she was nominated for, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft. Beyoncé made history with her first AMA wins in country categories for Cowboy Carter, while Kendrick Lamar, despite leading with 10 nominations, took home only one award for Favorite Hip-Hop Song.
The red carpet was a spectacle of its own, with stars like Shaboozey and Benson Boone turning heads with bold fashion choices. Jennifer Lopez, who also performed, brought her signature glamour while nursing a facial injury sustained during rehearsals. But one name was conspicuously absent from both the red carpet and the broadcast: Taylor Swift.
Taylor Swift’s Six Nominations and Zero Wins
Taylor Swift, a perennial AMA favorite, was nominated in six categories for 2025:
- Artist of the Year
- Favorite Female Pop Artist
- Album of the Year (The Tortured Poets Department)
- Favorite Pop Album (The Tortured Poets Department)
- Collaboration of the Year (“Fortnight” featuring Post Malone)
- Favorite Touring Artist
Despite her impressive track record and the fan-voted nature of the AMAs, Swift walked away empty-handed. Billie Eilish dominated the night, winning key categories like Artist of the Year and Favorite Pop Album, while Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” took Collaboration of the Year over Swift’s “Fortnight.” Fans were stunned, as Swift’s 40 career AMA wins had set expectations sky-high.
The snub was particularly surprising given Swift’s dominance in fan-voted awards. Posts on X reflected fans’ shock, with one user writing, “Taylor Swift didn’t win any of her six nominations at the #AMAs. The Swifties are in disbelief!” Another speculated that her absence might have influenced the fan votes, as her lack of promotion contrasted with other artists’ active campaigning.
The Reputation (Taylor’s Version) Hype That Never Materialized
Leading up to the AMAs, Swifties were in a frenzy, convinced that Taylor would use the event to announce Reputation (Taylor’s Version). The re-recording of her sixth studio album, originally released in 2017, has been a hot topic since Swift began reclaiming her masters with re-recorded versions of her earlier work. With four albums already re-released (Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989), Reputation and her self-titled debut remain the final two. Fans pointed to several “clues” that fueled their speculation:
- Website Easter Eggs: Swifties noticed that links on Taylor’s official website seemed to spell out “AMAS,” sparking theories of a planned appearance.
- Numerical Coincidences: The AMAs took place on May 26, 2025, exactly 6 years, 6 months, and 6 days after the Reputation Stadium Tour ended on November 21, 2018. Fans calculated that 6 + 6 = 12, hinting at a possible “TS12” (her 12th studio album) or Reputation (TV) reveal.
- Trademark Filing: A trademark for Reputation (Taylor’s Version) was registered in early May 2025, sending fans into a tailspin. One X post exclaimed, “THE REP TV TRADEMARK IS REGISTERED. ANNOUNCEMENT INCOMING!”
- Media Teases: The use of “Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version)” in a Hulu episode of The Handmaid’s Tale added fuel to the fire, with fans interpreting it as a deliberate hint.
Swifties also pointed to the date’s significance—May 26 being 13 days after “Swift Day” (May 13), a nod to Taylor’s favorite number. Social media was abuzz with theories, with one fan posting, “The AMAs are on May 26. 5+2+6=13. It’s happening, Swifties!” Others speculated about a tour documentary or even a new album entirely.
However, the night came and went without Taylor Swift. She didn’t walk the purple carpet, appear on stage, or deliver a virtual acceptance speech. The Reputation (TV) announcement fans had hoped for never materialized, leaving many disappointed. One X user lamented, “Taylor Swift didn’t go to the AMAs 2025! No Rep TV announcement. I’m devastated.”
Why Didn’t Taylor Swift Attend the 2025 AMAs?
Swift’s absence was a major talking point. She’s been selective with public appearances in 2025, attending only the Grammy Awards in February (where she wore Vivienne Westwood) and the Super Bowl to support boyfriend Travis Kelce. She skipped other high-profile events like the iHeartRadio Music Awards in March, despite winning nine awards, including Tour of the Century for The Eras Tour. Her low profile has been partly attributed to her desire for downtime after a whirlwind few years and recent unwanted media attention, including her name being dragged into a lawsuit involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
On May 23, just days before the AMAs, Swift was spotted dining with Kelce at Harry’s Bar & Restaurant in West Palm Beach, Florida, suggesting she was on the opposite coast during the event. Some fans theorized she might have planned a post-show announcement to avoid the spotlight, while others believed she skipped the AMAs to dodge the Lively-Baldoni drama. One X post speculated, “Taylor’s laying low after that lawsuit mess. Maybe she’s saving Rep TV for a quieter moment.”
Her absence wasn’t entirely unexpected. Swift has increasingly opted for virtual appearances or skipped events altogether, even when nominated. At the 2025 iHeartRadio Awards, she delivered a pre-taped speech in a Miu Miu outfit, thanking fans for her wins. But at the AMAs, with no wins to claim, there was no such moment.
The Best, Worst, and Most “Oops” Moments of the 2025 AMAs
According to People.com, the 2025 AMAs had their share of memorable moments. Billie Eilish’s sweep was the night’s high point, with her virtual acceptance speech for Artist of the Year earning cheers. Janet Jackson’s Icon Award performance was a nostalgic triumph, while Benson Boone’s backflip during his set channeled Freddie Mercury energy. On the “oops” side, Jennifer Lopez’s facial injury, visible during her hosting duties, sparked concern, though she powered through with professionalism. The “worst” moment? For Swifties, it was undoubtedly Taylor’s absence and lack of wins, which People noted as a “letdown for fans expecting a big reveal.”
CBS News highlighted the full winners’ list, emphasizing the fan-voted nature of the awards. While Eilish, Beyoncé, and BTS’ RM (who won Favorite K-pop Artist) celebrated victories, Swift’s shutout was a rare miss for the pop titan. Forbes had fueled pre-show hype with an article titled “American Music Awards: Will Taylor Swift Attend—And Announce ‘Reputation’ (Taylor’s Version)?” but noted her absence was consistent with her recent low-key approach.
What’s Next for Taylor Swift and Reputation (Taylor’s Version)?
The lack of a Reputation (TV) announcement doesn’t mean it’s not coming. Swift is known for her meticulous planning and surprise drops. The trademark filing and Handmaid’s Tale teaser suggest the re-recording is in the works, but Taylor may be waiting for the right moment—perhaps a standalone announcement to maximize impact. Fans on X remain undeterred, with one posting, “No Rep TV at the AMAs, but I’m still clowning for a summer drop!”
Swift’s 2025 has been relatively quiet, but her influence remains undeniable. Her six AMA nominations for The Tortured Poets Department and The Eras Tour reflect her enduring popularity, even if the fan votes didn’t go her way this time. Her focus may be shifting to personal projects or preparing for the next phase of her career, whether that’s Reputation (TV), her final re-recording, or something entirely new.
Friendly Takeaways
For those searching for details on Taylor Swift and the 2025 AMAs, here’s the rundown:
- Did Taylor Swift attend the 2025 AMAs? No, Swift did not attend in person or appear virtually. She was spotted in Florida days earlier with Travis Kelce.
- Did Taylor Swift win any AMAs in 2025? No, Swift was nominated in six categories but didn’t win any, a rare shutout for the artist with 40 career AMA wins.
- *Did Taylor Swift announce Reputation (Taylor’s Version)?* No announcement was made at the AMAs, despite fan speculation fueled by website clues, a trademark filing, and a Handmaid’s Tale teaser.
- What categories was Taylor Swift nominated for? Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Pop Artist, Album of the Year, Favorite Pop Album, Collaboration of the Year, and Favorite Touring Artist.
- Why didn’t Swift attend? Possible reasons include her preference for downtime, avoiding recent lawsuit drama, or strategic timing for future announcements.
Conclusion
The 2025 American Music Awards were a night of triumphs for artists like Billie Eilish and Beyoncé, but for Taylor Swift fans, it was a letdown. Despite high hopes for a Reputation (Taylor’s Version) reveal and six nominations, Swift neither attended nor won, leaving Swifties to regroup and continue their detective work. Her absence, while disappointing, aligns with her selective public appearances in 2025, suggesting she’s saving her next big move for a moment of her choosing.
As the dust settles on the AMAs, one thing is clear: Taylor Swift’s cultural impact remains unmatched, even on a night when she didn’t take the stage. Whether Reputation (TV) drops soon or Swift has another surprise up her sleeve, her fans will be ready, decoding every clue and counting down to her next era.
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