After a two-year hiatus, the American Music Awards returned in 2025. It was televised from the Fontainebleau Hotel in Las Vegas on Memorial Day, but many viewers questioned if the program truly deserved to be back in the cultural spotlight. Because some of the biggest performers, like as Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar, were not there, the night sometimes felt like a glittery nostalgia fest rather than a celebration of modern musical dominance.
New Stage, Same Problems
During the holiday weekend, the AMAs attempted to rebrand themselves by shifting from ABC, where they had been for many years, to CBS. However, the timing was not the only unexpected option. This platform was once notable for displaying current events in pop culture; however, the show did not attract many well-known celebrities. Billie Eilish received seven honours but did not perform. Kendrick Lamar did not win either, despite receiving the most nominations with ten.
Taylor Swift was noticeably absent. She has received 50 American Music Awards, the most of any artist. Rumors circulated that she would use the stage to debut “Reputation (Taylor’s Version),” but the pop singer remained offstage and offline, leaving a large gap.
Legends light up the stage, but young people do not attend.
The AMAs generally recognized historical acts rather than new artists who were making hits. Jennifer Lopez, who was also the host, kicked things off with a high-energy dance medley. Her performance was adventurous and intriguing, reminding viewers why she remains a significant presence in the entertainment industry. However, she did not perform well as a host since she frequently stood back rather than anchoring the broadcast with her charm or commentary.
Rod Stewart, Gloria Estefan, and Janet Jackson, who received the Icon Award, provided some seasoned elegance, but their presence made the night feel more like a memorial presentation than a dynamic glimpse at the music world in 2025.
A Few Rising Stars Stand Out
Benson Boone, who is only 22, was one of the few newcomers who made an impact. His performance of “Magical Mystical,” complete with his famous backflips, reminded us of what the AMAs used to be: a place for new musicians to make their debut. Gwen Stefani’s presentation, which included old and new music, was decent, albeit it came too close to sounding like a Vegas lounge act.
Not all moments were memorable. Renee Rapp’s performance was subpar, and Eminem’s victory against Lamar and Drake for Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist caused a lot of confusion. The decision demonstrated how ancient and frequently confused fan-voted awards can be.
A Show Searching for Meaning
What was the most talked about moment? Perhaps not a show, but a sideways glance. Shaboozey’s response to Megan Moroney’s claim that the Carter Family founded country music sparked a lot of discussions. It reintroduced the genre’s Black roots, a topic that the industry still finds difficult to discuss publicly.
The American Music Awards 2025 designed to remind folks of how fantastic things used to be. However, it was difficult to feel relevant because it was based on nostalgia, did not feature any current superstars, and had some questionable wins. The American Music Awards’ future in today’s fast-paced music industry remains uncertain until they can find a way to reflect the current rather than rehashing the past.
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