7 most talked about moments from the 2025 American Music Awards

The 2025 American Music Awards were quite low-key, almost called "the no-show awards," since many big and awaited stars, like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, were not present. Their absence made a big hole, moving the sight from the normal big-show feel, and made both fans and critics ask if the event still matters in today's full awards scene.

But, even with some top names gone, the night still had cool bits that kept people watching. For example, Jennifer Lopez made everyone look her way with a big and new move when she kissed her dancers, making it a hot topic right away.

Along with the big scene steals, there were shocking wins that caught viewers by surprise and got people talking on social media. The night came with a blend of wins and slips, from great acts that really grabbed the crowd to odd bits that felt wrong. In a night marked by key no-shows, it was these unplanned turns and big wins that stopped the American Music Awards from fading into nothing.

The American Music Awards took place on Monday, May 26, at Fontainebleau Las Vegas with Jennifer Lopez as the host. The night was a lively mix of fan-voted awards, star acts on stage, and many great moments that got people talking on social media.

Jennifer Lopez and Rod Stewart at the 2025 American Music Awards (Image via Getty)

Lopez led an exciting show, thrilling the crowd with big dance moves, including a quick kiss on stage, to lots of quick costume changes. More buzz came from a hairstyle making a comeback that many thought was long gone, making people talk about old times.

The American Music Awards not only offered a celebration of music but also a spectacle filled with moments that kept fans buzzing well after the final act. Keep reading to explore the standout triumphs, the awkward slips, and the surprises that defined this year’s ceremony.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised!

Here are the 7 most talked-about moments from the 2025 American Music Awards

From big acts that made the crowd stand up to shocking guest shows that no one guessed, the 2025 American Music Awards show was full of life and fun. Fans and watchers were captivated not just by the songs but also by lots of sudden bits, from strong dress looks and fun talks on stage to deep talks that touched hearts.

Right away, social media was full of talks, memes, and chats. Each big event seemed even more wild than the one before, making the American Music Awards the talk of the town in shows this year. This look back goes into the big parts, showing the bits that made a lot of noise and made sure the night stuck in people's minds for a long while.

1) Jennifer Lopez's dance

Ten years on from her big start as host in 2015, Jennifer Lopez was back to lead the show. She had the same high energy, but now with a fresh joy for the music of the last year. Instead of just singing, Lopez put on a great dance show with bits from many big songs, showing her range and love for today's top hits.

Her dance mixed songs from many different singers. It began with the light sound of Billie Eilish's Birds of a Feather, went on with the fun pop beat of Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso, and ended with the strong feel of Shaboozey's Tipsy. The set took in the rough and deep sounds of Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us, showing the mix of styles that shape today's music scene.

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All through the show, Lopez was bold and full of drama. In a bold bit, she kissed both men and women dancers as she moved to Benson Boone's deep, Beautiful Things.

This act made it clear she stands for all people and loves to break limits on stage. Her first act not only gave nods to the top hits of the year, but also showed again that she is a star who can mix strong singing, fine moves, and bold tales into one great, hard-to-forget show.

2) Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson was there at the American Music Awards. After staying off TV shows for seven years, Janet Jackson's comeback was so much more than just old times again, it was a strong move to take back her spot. She picked the same TV spot that turned on her after the big Super Bowl mess 21 years ago, which put more meaning to her show.

As she sang through Someone to Call My Lover, a song that found new fans with the help of TikTok, and then went on with the hit All for You before she got the Icon Award, the time felt both happy and like a fresh start.

Jnt Jackson at the 2025 American Music Awards (Image via Getty)

Yet, even though Jackson was a big star with a lot of charm, the pick of the person giving the award made some people look twice. Tasha Smith, whom we know from acting with her in 'Why Did I Get Married?', seemed like a quiet pick for such a big honor. With singers like Ciara, who took a lot from Jackson's work, in the crowd, or SZA, whose music in Ctrl shares the bold and open heart of Jackson's Control, the show could have hit harder.

Even Jennifer Lopez, who once danced with Jackson in the That's the Way Love Goes video, could have brought things full circle in a show full of feelings.

3) Renee Rapp

At the American Music Awards, doing a new or not yet out song is mostly for stars who have shown they can wow big crowds. It's a right they get by being a hit on the charts, loved by critics, or just big in culture. This makes Rapp's show of Leave Me Alone seem odd.

Renee Rapp at the 2025 American Music Awards (Image via Getty)

While she's on the up and more people know her, giving her this big spot seems like a bold throw of the dice, or it shows there aren't many stars who can hold a live crowd like that now. In a good world, the American Music Awards stage makes an already bright star shine more, but her show told us Rapp still has a long way to go.

4) Shaboozey's side eye to Megan Moroney

At the American Music Awards, a usual act changed when Megan Moroney and Shaboozey got up to say who won the Best Country Duo or Group, a title that went to Dan + Shay. When Moroney read a line from the teleprompter that said the Carter Family "invented country music," it clearly bothered Shaboozey.

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His quick, sharp look caught the attention of many and went viral on the internet, showing more than just not agreeing. It showed his quiet fight against the too-often-told white story in big country music spots.

While Moroney's delivery was innocent, merely echoing a script she didn't write, Shaboozey's reaction served as a timely reminder of country music's overlooked Black pioneers. In an industry that still struggles with acknowledging its full history, especially at major platforms like the American Music Awards, that split-second glare was a powerful reclaiming of space and truth.

5) Gwen Stefani

At the American Music Awards, Gwen Stefani gave a show that mixed today with bits of her famous past. Her husband, Blake Shelton, who had just done his first American Music Awards show with Stay Country or Die Tryin’, introduced her and brought her up to the stage.

Stefani hit the stage with a clear style. She started with her new song Shallow My Tears and then went into a mix of old hits like The Sweet Escape and the lively Hollaback Girl. The show had a smooth, almost Las Vegas-like look, but that sparkle just made the feel of old times stronger.

For longtime fans, it was a vivid reminder of Stefani's pop dominance in the early 2000s, a moment that reaffirmed her legacy at one of music's most-watched celebrations. The American Music Awards became more than just a platform for new hits, it turned into a time capsule of Stefani's genre-blurring journey through pop, rock, and beyond.

6) Taylor Swift's Reputation

At the American Music Awards 2025, Taylor Swift fans dove deep into their usual detective work. They were sure Taylor Swift was about to drop her much-awaited Reputation (Taylor's Version). They thought they found hidden clues, like the first letters of the merch categories spelling "AMAS" or the number 26 popping up in recent Swift news.

Taylor Swift at the 67th GRAMMY Awards (Image via Getty)

These hints led fans to form a strong theory, almost sure they were right. The buzz grew stronger when a new version of Look What You Made Me Do was on The Handmaid's Tale soundtrack. Many saw this as a hint leading right to a big reveal.

But when the American Music Awards ended with no big news, fans quickly made jokes and memes. The hashtags were the top trend of the night. Everyone felt let down, as Taylor Swift's fans faced the idea that they might be looking too deeply into hints.

7) Benson Boone

At this year's American Music Awards, with many top stars gone, Benson Boone shone as one of the few new faces to light up the stage. In a bright, shiny purple suit that matched his lively vibe, Boone gave a big jolt of young fun and charm. His show of Magical Mystical, an alluring song from his soon-to-come first album American Heart, set to drop on June 20, was a clear sign of the thrill that the American Music Awards have often made by showing off new talent.

Benson Boone at the 2025 American Music Awards (Image via Getty)

At just 22, Boone shows what the new wave of U.S. music is all about: a mix of true heart, cool looks, and bold acts that bring back the early days of the awards when they were the top spot for new stars to shine. His cool moves and strong stage draw not only fired up everyone there but also made clear why the American Music Awards still matter as a key place for up-and-coming artists to see big dreams.

In a show that was a bit quiet with fewer big stars around, Boone lit up the space with a bright show of new hope. His act filled the awards with new breath and made sure everyone saw how the American Music Awards shape the next big names in hit music.

The American Music Awards have always been a key party for pop music, mixing fan love and live, fun shows. Over time, the American Music Awards have grown into a stage that not only gives props to big stars but also helps new artists start big, ready to change the music world. With its mix of different music types, lively stage acts, and times that grab the feel of the culture, the awards keep up with the changing face of American music.

Even with some ups and downs in star shows or changes in the music world, the American Music Awards still hold an important spot. They pull both fans and artists to one place, cheering for top sales and new ideas in a way not many others can match. In the end, the American Music Awards keep showing what people like most and shine a bright light on the artists shaping the music of our era.