On Monday(5/26/25), the 51st American Music Awards (AMAs) lit up Fontainebleau Las Vegas, returning in full after a three-year hiatus. Hosted by Jennifer Lopez—who also delivered a high-energy opening performance—the world’s largest fan-voted music awards show aired live coast-to-coast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, reaching audiences nationwide. The night featured show-stopping performances, emotional tributes, and Billie Eilish’s sweep across major categories, establishing the AMAs as a new Memorial Day fixture.
This year’s AMAs marked a shift from their traditional November timing to Memorial Day, aligning the show with Military Appreciation Month. The change followed the strong reception of the October 2024 50th Anniversary Special, which drew 13 million viewers. Lopez, returning as host for the first time since 2015, opened the show with a medley of 2024’s biggest hits and multiple wardrobe changes, per PEOPLE.
Billie Eilish emerged as the night’s standout, winning seven awards—including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Hit Me Hard and Soft), and Song of the Year (“Birds of a Feather”)—tying for the second-most wins in a single AMAs ceremony. Beyoncé made history as well, taking home Favorite Female Country Artist and Favorite Country Album for Cowboy Carter, highlighting her genre-crossing influence. Kendrick Lamar was among the night’s top nominees, while Eminem, who appeared by video, won Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Hip-Hop Album, marking his first AMA wins in over a decade, per Variety.
The show’s performances were equally memorable. Janet Jackson, honored with the Icon Award, delivered her first televised performance in seven years, blending “Someone to Call My Lover” and “All for You.” In her acceptance, she said, “I don’t consider myself an icon,” attributing her longevity to a love of music and support from family. Rod Stewart received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by five of his children, and performed “Forever Young,” celebrating his six-decade career, per People.
Zac Brown was honored with the inaugural Veterans Voice Award for his advocacy on behalf of military families. He performed alongside members of the Easy Day Foundation in a tribute segment that spotlighted stories from transitioning service members, per Billboard. Other standout performances included SZA (“Saturn”), Benson Boone, Lainey Wilson, and a duet by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars titled “Die With a Smile.”
The AMAs’ Las Vegas debut brought heightened glamor, with the Fontainebleau’s luxury backdrop hosting a star-filled red carpet featuring Nikki Glaser, Tiffany Haddish, and Shaboozey. Voting for fan-selected categories was based on Billboard and Luminate data from March 2024 to March 2025, with most polls closing May 15. Select categories remained open for real-time voting during the broadcast, according to theamas.com.
Throughout the evening, tributes to U.S. troops resonated with viewers, reinforcing the show’s Memorial Day theme. While the CBS broadcast drew some criticism for frequent commercial breaks, the event’s energy and emotional resonance outweighed the interruptions. Rebroadcasts on MTV, CMT, and BET extended the show’s reach to broader audiences.
Published on May 27, 2025, the 2025 American Music Awards balanced celebration and reflection—honoring veterans, showcasing top artists, and delivering standout performances. With Eilish’s dominance and the moving tributes, the AMAs signaled a fresh chapter in its long-standing tradition.
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