The AMAs 2025 highlights are in, and this year’s American Music Awards did not disappoint.
Hosted by the ever-iconic Jennifer Lopez at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, the ceremony was packed with unforgettable performances, jaw-dropping moments, and plenty of star power. Leading the pack was none other than Kendrick Lamar, who dominated the nominations with a whopping 10 nods, followed closely by Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey.
Kendrick Lamar’s run this year is historic. If he manages to scoop up wins in all 10 categories, he’ll be tying legends like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston for the most awards won in a single AMAs ceremony. That’s no small feat, and fans are on the edge of their seats to see if he can pull it off.
But Kendrick wasn’t the only star shining. Jennifer Lopez opened the show with a fiery, high-energy performance that set the tone for the entire night. Kicking things off with a snippet of her classic hit “Dance Again,” JLo then dazzled the crowd with a medley of the year’s biggest hits. She moved flawlessly through songs like Kendrick’s “Not Like Us,” Charli XCX and Billie Eilish’s “Guess,” Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things,” and even Tinashe’s “Nasty.” The energy was off the charts, and in one memorable moment, JLo even kissed a few of her dancers, leaving everyone buzzing.
The night wasn’t just about performances. Several special awards were handed out, shining a spotlight on music legends. Janet Jackson took home the ICON Award, Rod Stewart received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Zac Brown was honored with the brand-new Veterans Voice Award presented by the Easy Day Foundation. Each of these honorees, along with JLo, gave powerful performances that kept the crowd hyped all night long.
As expected, the red carpet was a major highlight before the ceremony. Stars like Megan Moroney, Shaboozey, Machine Gun Kelly, Becky G, Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag, Rebecca Black, and Kehlani showed up in style, giving fans tons of fashion moments to obsess over. The looks ranged from edgy to glamorous, and PEOPLE’s gallery of red carpet arrivals is a must-see for anyone who loves celebrity fashion.
The night’s presenters were just as star-studded, with names like Alix Earle, Cara Delevingne, Ciara, Dan + Shay, Dylan Efron, Heidi Klum, Jordan Chiles, Kai Cenat, Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Moroney, Nikki Glaser, Shaboozey, Tiffany Haddish, and Wayne Brady taking turns on stage. Their energy and banter kept things lively between performances and award announcements.
One thing to note is that voting is closed for most categories, but fans still have a chance to weigh in during the ceremony’s first 30 minutes for the Collaboration of the Year and Social Song of the Year categories. So if you want your fave to win, now’s the time to cast your vote.
With Kendrick Lamar leading nominations and Jennifer Lopez killing it as host, the AMAs 2025 was a night full of memorable moments and exciting surprises. Fans are already buzzing about who took home the big wins and what JLo’s next hosting gig might be. Whether you’re here for the music, the fashion, or the drama, this year’s AMAs delivered on all fronts.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
