Whenever Tinseltown suits up to the clarion call of A-lister galas, Hollywood travels the extra mile to keep drama on speed dial. The 51st American Music Awards returned after a two-year hiatus on May 26, and all the sonic guardians of showbiz let loose at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas in LV. While every velvet rope occasion calls for a wild night of remembrance, the 2025 AMAs was no different in dropping jaws and turning heads.
From Jennifer Lopez’s cheeky smooch on-stage to MGK’s about-turn on the red carpet, here are 5 wildest AMAs moments that defined the musical night of Tinseltown.
Jennifer Lopez turns up the heat at the 2025 AMAs with her on-stage kiss
Jennifer Lopez knew all eyes were on her at the 2025 American Music Awards. To ensure no distraction snatches her momentum, the ‘On the Floor’ hitmaker sent chills down everyone’s spine while powering through a rendition of her 2012 hit ‘Dance Again’ to kick-start the gala.
#JenniferLopez brought the heat to the #AMAs, opening the show by kissing her backup dancers on stage pic.twitter.com/C7yHcW5BYp
— HOT 97 (@HOT97) May 27, 2025
Midway through her set, as Lopez ditched her space helmet transitioning to a remix of Teddy Swims’ ‘Lose Control,’ the AMAs host
locked lips with a male backup dancer before a female dancer approached her for an on-stage kiss that broke the Internet.
Billie Eilish’s clean sweep at the 2025 AMAs
The 2025 American Music Awards was supposed to be a night of highlights for every nominee who made it to the prestigious list. Despite leading the pack with the most nominations, 10 in total, Kendrick Lamar won just one, and Taylor Swift
was nowhere to be found. However, Billie Eilish was the star of the night.
Billie Eilish sweeps in seven categories at the #AMAs, winning Album of the Year for “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.” pic.twitter.com/ifOsieD51U
— Variety (@Variety) May 27, 2025
Eilish won all seven categories she was nominated in, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Favorite Female Pop Artist, Favorite Pop Album, Song of the Year, and Favorite Pop Song.
MGK pulled up at the 2025 AMAs only to exit
MGK was not one of the no-show A-listers at the 2025 AMAs. However, he left the Las Vegas show pretty early, leaving many curious. According to his conversation with E! News, he left early to take care of his 2-month-old daughter, whom he shares with Megan Fox.
mgk in 4K is so not “cliché” 🖤 #AMAs @machinegunkelly pic.twitter.com/Pu9nqUPvfH
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) May 26, 2025
“She has a little bit of a fever, so I’m gonna just walk the carpet and go back, you know what I mean, and handle my business,”
MGK said.
Jennifer Lopez’s opening salvo was an homage to the 2025 AMAs nominees
Jennifer Lopez did not just host the 2025 American Music Awards. She ensured everyone remembers it for a special reason. She kick-started the AMAs with a powerhouse performance, with a six-minute medley of 23 hits by the nominees.
The list included Billie Eilish’s ‘Birds of a Feather,’ Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso,’ and Beyonce’s ‘Texas Hold ‘Em,’ among others.
Janet Jackson gets the Icon Award at the 2025 AMAs
A night of music remains incomplete without reminiscing about the legends who made Hollywood’s symphonic trail. At the 2025 American Music Awards, Janet Jackson was awarded the prestigious Icon Award for her contribution and influence in the music industry.
Janet Jackson receiving the Icon Award at the #AMAs. pic.twitter.com/5kekxUC9Bh
— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 27, 2025
Jackson performed live from the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, marking her first televised performance in seven years.
Read More: Millie Bobby Brown and the AMAs: Has She Ever Made an Appearance?
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