The Best, Worst, and Most "Oops!" Moments of the American Music Awards
The Best, Worst, and Most "Oops!" Moments of the American Music Awards

Published: May 27, 2025

The American Music Awards, hosted by Jennifer Lopez, took place on Monday, May 26, at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, presenting a mix of fan-voted awards, icons taking the stage, and moments that got social media buzzing.

Most, All-Around: Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez is absolutely never going to half-ass anything, which was evident as she opened the show with a dance medley consisting of 23 of the night's songs condensed into six minutes. Then she walked out mere seconds later to begin her host monologue in a plunging silver Miss Sohee gown with teal opera coat.

Most Creative Partial Nudity: SZA

SZA's pasties are a vibe, and we have to give it up for a dress that thoughtfully frames some sparkly pasties and puts the wearer's butt on a shelf. Slight deduction for how hard it was for her to get to the mic to accept Favorite Female R&B Artist, but she laughed it off as she hopped as gracefully as she could up the stairs.

Best (Yet Most Tragic) Throwback: Nikki Glaser and Heidi Klum Denied the Chance to Rip Off Benson Boone's Suit

Benson Boone's bold, sparkly purple suit was destined to be worn for the whole performance of "Mystical Magical," much to the disappointment of a highly-prepared Nikki Glaser and Heidi Klum, who had previously torn off his tux to reveal a jumpsuit at the Grammys.

Most Ready to Give Thanks: Gwen Stefani

Instead of B-A-N-A-N-A-S, Gwen Stefani could have changed the lyrics to P-O-T-A-T-O-E-S, because in her majorette jacket worn for the "Hollaback Girl" portion of her medley, she was giving sexy Thanksgiving mascot.

Biggest Testament to 'Hard Work and Dedication': Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson showed up to accept her ICON award and gave fans a sneak peek of what to expect at her just-kicked-off Las Vegas residency, complete with some of the choreography she's so famous for set to a few of her decades of hits (including, of course, the Tik Tok-hot "Someone to Call My Lover").

Best Argument for Lifting Heavy Weights and Eating Protein: All the Ladies Performing

From Gwen Stefani to Jennifer Lopez, Janet Jackson to Gloria Estefan (during whose medley Lopez couldn't stop herself from dancing along), the female performers had decades (and in Jackson's case, a full half-century) of experience under their belts — and were still as showstopping as they'd ever been.

Best Blink-and-You-Missed It Wardrobe: Jennifer Lopez

You are looking at half of Jennifer Lopez's high-fashion host ensembles, which, in a show that ran a tight two hours, is roughly one look every 15 minutes. No one will ever accuse Jennifer Lopez of being uncommitted to the bit.

Best Night for Mullets: Benson Boone/Rod Stewart/Jason Tartick/Dan Smyers

In a night that was all about legacy acts, no '80s icon had a better night than the mullet, the business-in-front-party-in-back staple of many a retro music video. Benson Boone, Rod Stewart (who has never let the mullet go out of style), Jason Tartick, and Dan Smyers all made their individual — but equally impassioned — case for the return of the hairstyle.

Cutest Family Moment: Meet Papa Stew

Considering how long Rod Stewart's been famous, it may surprise some to find out that there's anything left to learn about him — but his daughter Ruby (joined by four more of his eight kids) revealing her siblings' nickname for him was a damn delight.