American Music Awards ceremony 2025: Winners, speeches and performances

A trainwreck performance, a wardrobe malfunction and the “side-eye of the year” at the American Music Awards. Here’s how it all unfolded.

The American Music Awards were held today for the first time since 2022, with Jennifer Lopez taking on hosting duties for the resurrected industry bash.

She also opened the show with a spectacular dance number, joining a line-up of performers including Benson Boone, Gwen Stefani and this year’s Icon Award recipient, music legend Janet Jackson.

At least they all got a soundcheck, because the night’s first performer Blake Shelton became AMAs roadkill when his audio was silenced for three hard-to-watch minutes: All those of us watching at home got to hear was some off-kilter clapped and apparently pre-recorded audience cheers. Shelton was singing his lungs out, but we never heard a word.

Elsewhere, there were side-eyes, wardrobe malfunctions and hit-filled medleys, all coming after a celeb-filled red carpet. We live-blogged all the highlights (and hot messes) below as they happened...

Originally published as American Music Awards ceremony 2025: Winners, speeches and performances