Jennifer Lopez took center stage as the host of the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs), held on Monday, May 26, 2025, which was also Memorial Day, at the Fontainebleau hotel in Las Vegas. This marked the 51st iteration of the awards and Lopez's second time hosting, her first being in 2015. The event was notably broadcast on CBS for the first time, after decades on ABC, and was also available for streaming on Paramount+.

The 55-year-old singer-actress kicked off the night with a high-energy, six-minute opening performance, a dance medley featuring excerpts from 23 hits by the evening's nominees. She began with a version of her own 2012 song "Dance Again" before transitioning into popular tracks such as Billie Eilish's "Birds of a Feather," Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso," Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em," Chappell Roan's "HOT TO GO," Morgan Wallen and Post Malone's "I Had Some Help," Tinashe's "Nasty," Kendrick Lamar’s "Not Like Us," Bad Bunny’s "NUEVAYoL," Doechii’s "Denial Is a River," Shaboozey’s "A Bar Song," and Bruno Mars and Rosé’s "APT." For this show-stopping number, Lopez donned a skintight nude catsuit adorned with black patches and jewels.

However, it was a series of kisses during this opening act that truly set tongues wagging. Lopez passionately kissed both male and female backup dancers live on air, a moment that particularly intensified as she danced to Teddy Swims’ "Lose Control." Some drew comparisons to Madonna's famous onstage kisses with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.

The performance elicited strong and mixed reactions from viewers. Many fans took to social media, with some describing the act as "cringe-worthy," "disgusting," and "desperate." X users posted comments such as, "Jennifer Lopez has lost the plot," and queried, "Why is Jennifer Lopez kissing everyone at the AMAs?" Others were simply surprised or expressed excitement over the unexpected display.

These reactions were further contextualized by Lopez's recent personal life. She is newly single following her high-profile divorce from actor Ben Affleck, which was finalized in early 2025 (January/February), four months prior to the AMAs. The couple had a two-year marriage, and Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024. Some speculated that the provocative performance was an attempt to make Affleck jealous.

Comedian Tiffany Haddish, while presenting an award, made a lighthearted jab at Lopez's single status and the onstage kisses. "Save a dancer for me, J.Lo, damn! You ain’t the only one out here that’s single," Haddish quipped. Reports indicated that Lopez, who was present, took the joke in good stride and laughed it off.

Throughout the evening, Lopez showcased her star power with a total of eight stunning outfit changes. Among her glamorous looks were a beaded silver dress with a halter neck and an aqua-blue jewel-toned cape, a strapless blue dress, a gold dress with double slits, a silver dress with a flesh-flashing T-shaped bodice and fringed skirt, a black trench coat cinched at the waist, a backless black sequin jumpsuit with side cutouts, and a nude-toned, cleavage-teasing gown with metal ring details. Earlier in the month, Lopez had revealed she sustained a facial injury, a cut across her nose, during rehearsals for the show, requiring stitches from plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond.

The AMAs ceremony also honored music legends, with Janet Jackson receiving the Icon Award and Rod Stewart being presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The night featured performances from a bevy of artists including Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Lainey Wilson, and Reneé Rapp. Presenters included Nikki Glaser, Wayne Brady, Cara Delevingne, Ciara, Kai Cenat, Megan Moroney, and Shaboozey. Notably, some A-list celebrities, including Taylor Swift, were absent from the event.

Key Winners at the 2025 AMAs included:

Billie Eilish was a dominant force, securing multiple prestigious awards including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for "Hit Me Hard And Soft," Favorite Pop Song and Song of the Year for "Birds Of A Feather." She also won Favorite Touring Artist, Favorite Female Pop Artist, and Favorite Pop Album for "Hit Me Hard And Soft."

Other significant wins included Gracie Abrams for New Artist of the Year. SZA took home accolades for Favorite Female R&B Artist and Favorite R&B Song for "Saturn." Becky G was named Favorite Female Latin Artist. The collaboration "Die With A Smile" by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars won both Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Music Video. Doechii’s "Anxiety" was awarded Social Song of the Year, and Bruno Mars also won Favorite Male Pop Artist.

In the Country categories, Post Malone was named Favorite Male Country Artist, while Beyoncé won Favorite Country Album for "Cowboy Carter" and Favorite Female Country Artist. The award for Favorite Country Duo or Group went to Dan + Shay, and Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen won Favorite Country Song for "I Had Some Help."

For Hip-Hop, Eminem was recognized as Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist and his album "The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)" won Favorite Hip-Hop Album. Kendrick Lamar’s "Not Like Us" was named Favorite Hip-Hop Song, and Megan Thee Stallion won Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist.

The Weeknd secured wins for Favorite Male R&B Artist and Favorite R&B Album for "Hurry Up Tomorrow." In Latin music, Bad Bunny was awarded Favorite Male Latin Artist and Favorite Male Latin Album for "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS." Shakira’s "Soltera" won Favorite Latin Song, and Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda were named Favorite Latin Duo or Group.

Rounding out the awards, Twenty One Pilots won Favorite Rock Artist and Favorite Rock Album for "Clancy," while Linkin Park’s "The Emptiness Machine" took Favorite Rock Song. RM was named Favorite K-Pop Artist, and Tyla won Favorite Afrobeats Artist. Lady Gaga also won Favorite Dance/Electronic Artist. The award for Favorite Soundtrack went to "Arcane League of Legends: Season 2."