Janet Jackson, 59, Wins Icon Honor at 2025 AMAs

Janet Jackson, 59, Wins Icon Honor at 2025 AMAs

Janet Jackson showed age was nothing but a number when she accepted the honorary Icon Award at the 2025 American Music Awards ceremony on Monday.

The 59-year-old singer showed off a shockingly youthful visage when she took the stage to perform two of her 2001 hits Someone To Call My Lover and her chart topper All For You.

Janet admitted in her speech that — despite winning the award — she didn’t consider herself an icon.  

‘My family, myself, our dream — it wasn’t ever to be famous. We weren’t raised like that,’ she admitted. ‘We always had a special love for music, dancing, and singing. Fame came with the result of hard work and dedication. My story, my family’s story, it’s truly an American story. This would have only happened in America.’

She received her honorary award after Jennifer Lopez kicked off the show by taking center stage to remind viewers of her prowess as a singer and dancer.

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Janet Jackson showed age was nothing but a number when she accepted the honorary Icon Award at the 2025 American Music Awards ceremony on Monday

Janet Jackson showed age was nothing but a number when she accepted the honorary Icon Award at the 2025 American Music Awards ceremony on Monday

The 59-year-old singer showed off a shockingly youthful visage when she took the stage to perform two of her 2001 hits Someone To Call My Lover and her chart topper All For You

The 59-year-old singer showed off a shockingly youthful visage when she took the stage to perform two of her 2001 hits Someone To Call My Lover and her chart topper All For You

She received her honorary award after Jennifer Lopez kicked off the show by taking center stage to remind viewers of her prowess as a singer and dancer.

She received her honorary award after Jennifer Lopez kicked off the show by taking center stage to remind viewers of her prowess as a singer and dancer. 

The 55-year-old star opened the ceremony with an excerpt of her 2012 single Dance Again, before she turned up the heat with a dance segment soundtracked to some of this year’s biggest nominated songs.

One section of the performance got particularly steamy, as J.Lo paused for a passionate kiss with a male backup dancer, before turning her head to lock lips with one of her female dancers. 

Later, the Hustlers star gushed that Janet Jackson was the ‘blueprint for how to be a strong female artist in this business,’ and she revealed that her AMAs performance marked the firs time she had performed on television in seven years. 

SZA was the first big winner of the night when she took home the award for Favorite R&B Song for Saturn.

And it wasn’t long before the 35-year-old hitmaker was back at the microphone to accept the award for Favorite Female R&B Artist.

The first award of the night, for Favorite R&B Song, was announced by actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish, who joked that the ceremony should have been renamed the JMAs because of its superstar host. 

After announcing SZA’s name, the singer was so overwhelmed that she admitted, ‘I feel like this might be my first time at this award show.’ 

Becky G looked shocked when she won the evening’s next award for Favorite Female Latin Artist.

One section of the performance got particularly steamy, as J.Lo paused for a passionate kiss with a male backup dancer, before turning her head to lock lips with one of her female dancers

One section of the performance got particularly steamy, as J.Lo paused for a passionate kiss with a male backup dancer, before turning her head to lock lips with one of her female dancers

SZA was the first big winner of the night when she took home the award for Favorite R&B Song for Saturn. And it wasn't long before the 35-year-old hitmaker was back at the microphone to accept the award for Favorite Female R&B Artist

SZA was the first big winner of the night when she took home the award for Favorite R&B Song for Saturn. And it wasn’t long before the 35-year-old hitmaker was back at the microphone to accept the award for Favorite Female R&B Artist 

She did a little dance by her seat before strutting up to the stage. 

In a mix of English and Spanish, Becky dedicated her award to the Chicano community, and she saluted ‘those who came before us,’ as she share both their ‘struggles,’ as well as their wins.

After a humorous introduction by Nikki Glaser — who joked that she couldn’t wait to play J.Lo’s mother in a biopic — she announced Gracie Abrams as the winner of New Artist of the Year.

The singer–songwriter, who is the daughter of director J. J. Abrams, was on tour, so she had to accept the award via video.

‘I’m so sad to not be in the same room with all of you tonight,’ she said somberly, before thanking the fans who voted for her. 

The 51st American Music Awards are being held at the Fontainebleau hotel located in the heart of Las Vegas on Memorial Day. 

Jennifer is taking on hosting duties for this year’s ceremony a decade after she first hosted in 2015.

The On The Floor songstress is also set to take to the stage to perform, along with a bevy of other artists, including Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Janet Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp and Rod Stewart.

Becky G looked shocked when she won the evening's next award for Favorite Female Latin Artist. She dedicated her award to the Chicano community, and she saluted 'those who came before us'

Becky G looked shocked when she won the evening’s next award for Favorite Female Latin Artist. She dedicated her award to the Chicano community, and she saluted ‘those who came before us’

Gracie Abrams was the winner of New Artist of the Year. The singer–songwriter — who is the daughter of director J. J. Abrams — was on tour, so she had to accept the award via video; pictured at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21

Gracie Abrams was the winner of New Artist of the Year. The singer–songwriter — who is the daughter of director J. J. Abrams — was on tour, so she had to accept the award via video; pictured at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21

Jennifer was out of breath after her opening dance number when she announced that Jackson would be receiving the Icon Award, while Stewart would be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

A number of A-listers are also set to present the big wins, including comedian Nikki Glaser, Tiffany Haddish, Wayne Brady, Cara Delevingne, Ciara, Kai Cenat, Megan Moroney and Shaboozey. 

The 2025 AMAs are airing live on CBS, and fans can also stream the awards show on Paramount+ in the US. 

This year marks the first time the AMAs ceremony will be shown on CBS, after being aired on ABC since 1974. 

This year’s event is also the first time the show will air live since 2022, following a hiatus due to ABC’s Grammys contract expiring at the time.

Host Jennifer Lopez recently suffered a nasty injury to her nose during rehearsals for the ceremony, but she was able to quickly get help — in the form of stitches for the small gash — from celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond.

During a recent interview with USA Today, the actress opened up about her hosting gig and admitted that she was ‘quite shy,’ unlike the confident persona she usually radiates.

Janet Jackson received the Icon Award during the festivities

Janet Jackson received the Icon Award during the festivities

She proved that her famous dance moves haven't gone anywhere as she performed a medley of Someone To Call My Lover and her chart-topping hit All For You, both from her 2001 album All For You

She proved that her famous dance moves haven’t gone anywhere as she performed a medley of Someone To Call My Lover and her chart-topping hit All For You, both from her 2001 album All For You

Host Jennifer Lopez recently suffered a nasty injury to her nose during rehearsals for the ceremony

Host Jennifer Lopez recently suffered a nasty injury to her nose during rehearsals for the ceremony

Luckily, she was able to quickly get help — in the form of stitches for the small gash — from celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond

Luckily, she was able to quickly get help — in the form of stitches for the small gash — from celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond 

Kendrick Lamar garnered the most nomination this year and leads with a total of 10; the rapper is seen in February in New Orleans at the Super Bowl

Kendrick Lamar garnered the most nomination this year and leads with a total of 10; the rapper is seen in February in New Orleans at the Super Bowl

J.Lo explained: ‘I’m a performer, so if I have a script or a song, I can do that and I love doing that. But hosting is a different thing, a different skill set. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite thing to do.’ 

However, Lopez then revealed why she ultimately decided to host the American Music Awards this year. 

‘I feel music is really exciting right now with Spanish music being so global. I love that Gloria [Estefan] is being honored as a pioneer crossover artist and I love all of the new artists because there isn’t a certain sound to them.’ 

Kendrick Lamar garnered the most nomination this year, and leads with a total of 10. 

Post Malone sits right behind him with eight nominations, while Billie Eilish, Shaboozey and Chappell Roan each have seven.  

2025 American Music Awards WINNERS

ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish 

Chappell Roan 

Kendrick Lamar 

Morgan Wallen 

Post Malone 

Sabrina Carpenter 

SZA

Taylor Swift 

Zach Bryan 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR 

Beyonce – Cowboy Carter 

Gracie Abrams – The Secret Of Us

Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft 

Kendrick Lamar – GNX

Chappell Roan – The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess

Charlie XCX – BRAT 

Post Malone – F-1 Trillion 

Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You 

Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet 

Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR 

Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther 

Rose & Bruno Mars – APT 

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile 

Marshmello & Kane Brown – Miles On it 

Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help 

Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone – Fortnight

SOCIAL SONG OF THE YEAR 

Chappell Roan – Hot To Go! 

Djo – End Of Beginning 

Doechii – Anxiety 

Lola Young – Messy 

Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy) 

Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby

 

FAVORITE MALE POP ARTIST 

Benson Boone 

Bruno Mars 

Hozier 

Teddy Swims 

The Weeknd 

 

FAVORITE POP SONG 

Benson Boone – Beautiful Things 

Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso 

Billie Eilish – Birds Of A Feather 

Teddy Swims – Lose Control 

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile 

 

FAVORITE MALE COUNTRY ARTIST  

Jelly Roll 

Luke Combs 

Morgan Wallen 

Post Malone   

Shaboozey 

 

 FAVORITE COUNTRY ALBUM 

Beyonce – Cowboy Carter 

Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken 

Luke Combs – Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma

Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help 

Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy) 

 

FAVORITE MALE HIP-HOP ARTIST       

Drake 

Eminem 

Future 

Kendrick Lamar 

Tyler, The Creator 

 

FAVORITE HIP-HOP SONG 

Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar  – Like That 

GloRilla  – TGIF                                 

GloRilla & Sexyy Red  – WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME 

Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us 

Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther 

  

FAVORITE MALE R&B ARTIST 

Bryson Tiller 

Chris Brown 

PARTYNEXTDOOR 

The Weeknd 

Usher 

FAVORITE R&B SONG 

Chris Brown – Residuals 

Muni Long – Made For Me 

SZA – Saturn — WINNER 

The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – Timeless 

Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby 

 

FAVORITE MALE LATIN ARTIST                     

Bad Bunny 

Feid 

Peso Pluma 

Rauw Alejandro 

Tito Double P 

 

FAVORITE LATIN ALBUM 

Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS 

Peso Pluma – ÉXODO

Fuerza Regida – Dolido Pero No Arrepentido 

Rauw Alejandro – Cosa Nuestra 

Tito Double P – INCÓMODO 

 

FAVORITE ROCK ARTIST 

Hozier 

Linkin Park 

Pearl Jam 

Twenty One Pilots 

Zach Bryan  

 

FAVORITE ROCK SONG 

Green Day – Dilemma 

Hozier – Too Sweet 

Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine 

Myles Smith – Stargazing

Zach Bryan – Pink Skies

 

FAVORITE K-POP ARTIST 

ATEEZ 

Jin 

RM 

Rose 

Stray Kids 

FAVORITE AFROBEATS ARTIST 

Asake 

Rema 

Tems 

Tyla 

Wizkid

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Benson Boone 

Chappell Roan

Gracie Abrams — WINNER 

Teddy Swims 

Tommy Richman 

SONG OF THE YEAR 

Benson Boone – Beautiful Things 

Billie Eilish – Birds Of A Feather 

Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe! 

Hozier – Too Sweet 

Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us 

Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso 

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile 

Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help 

Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy) 

Teddy Swims – Lose Control 

 

FAVORITE TOURING ARTIST

Billie Eilish

Luke Combs 

Morgan Wallen 

Taylor Swift 

Zach Bryan 

FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO 

Benson Boone – Beautiful Things 

Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us 

Karol G – Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido 

Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy) 

Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile 

 FAVORITE FEMALE POP ARTIST

 Billie Eilish 

Chappell Roan 

Lady Gaga 

Sabrina Carpenter

Taylor Swift 

FAVORITE POP ALBUM

Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft 

Chappell Roan – The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess 

Charli XCX – BRAT 

Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet

Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department 

 

FAVORITE FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST

Beyonce 

Ella Langley 

Kacey Musgraves 

Lainey Wilson 

Megan Moroney 

FAVORITE COUNTRY DUO OR GROUP 

Dan + Shay 

Old Dominion 

Parmalee 

The Red Clay Strays 

Zac Brown Band 

 

FAVORITE FEMALE HIP-HOP ARTIST

Doechii 

GloRilla 

Latto 

Megan Thee Stallion 

Sexyy Red 

FAVORITE HIP-HOP ALBUM 

Eminem – The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) 

Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You 

Gunna – One Of Wun 

Kendrick Lamar – GNX 

Tyler, The Creator – CHROMAKOPIA

 

FAVORITE FEMALE R&B ARTIST 

Kehlani

Muni Long

Summer Walker 

SZA — WINNER 

Tyla 

 

FAVORITE R&B ALBUM 

Bryson Tiller – Bryson Tiller 

PARTYNEXTDOOR – PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4)

PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake  – $ome $exy $ongs 4 U 

SZA – SOS Deluxe: LANA 

The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow

 

FAVORITE FEMALE LATIN ARTIST 

Becky G — WINNER 

Karol G 

Natti Natasha 

Shakira 

Young Miko  

 

FAVORITE LATIN DUO OR GROUP 

Calibre 50

Fuerza Regida

Grupo Firme

Grupo Frontera 

Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda  

 

FAVORITE LATIN SONG 

Bad Bunny – DtMF 

FloyyMenor X Cris Mj – Gata Only

KAROL G – Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido 

Oscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida – Tu Boda 

Shakira – Soltera 

 

FAVORITE ROCK ALBUM

Hozier – Unreal Unearth: Unending 

The Marías – Submarine

Koe Wetzel – 9 Lives 

Twenty One Pilots – Clancy

Zach Bryan – The Great American Bar Scene  

 

FAVORITE DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST 

Charli XCX 

David Guetta 

John Summit 

Lady Gaga 

Marshmello  

 

FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK 

Arcane League of Legends: Season 2

Hazbin Hotel (Original Soundtrack)

Moana 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson and Cast

Twisters: The Album

Wicked: The Soundtrack – Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Cast 

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