Jennifer Lopez onstage at the 2025 American Music Awards held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on May 26, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The American Music Awards made a grand return on May 26, at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, marking its first ceremony since 2022 . Hosted by Jennifer Lopez, who also delivered a headline-grabbing opening performance, the night was filled with standout moments. From JLo’s steamy dance medley that included kisses with her backup dancers, to SZA’s continued dominance in the music scene, and a steamy collaboration between Becky G and Manuel Turizo, the event showcased a diverse array of talent.
I had the chance to attend the AMAs and some of the events around it in Vegas, which gave me a real behind-the-scenes look at what award shows are actually like these days.
Here are my biggest takeaways from the 2025 American Music Awards:
1
Creators & Reality Stars are clearly the future of award shows
It was hard not to notice how many familiar faces from TikTok and reality TV were all over the AMAs this year. From Kai Cenat and Alix Earle presenting on stage, to Love Island USA’s Leah Kateb and Kenny Hernandez vibing in the crowd, to Dylan Efron (fresh off The Traitors) being featured in On The Rocks’ campaign, the guest list felt like a scroll through social media.
It’s clear these kinds of personalities are being brought in for a reason: they extend the reach of the show online and bring a different kind of visibility. Whether or not that translates to longevity for award shows is TBD, but the shift is here.
Courtesy of On The Rocks Cocktails.
2
Performances are still the main character
There’s been a lot of talk the last few years about whether award shows are losing their spark with ratings dropping and hosts flopping. But the AMAs reminded me that when all else fails, performances will always carry the night.
JLo did what JLo does: brought the choreo and the drama. Becky and Turizo lit up the stage with energy and cultura, and Reneé Rapp had the crowd screaming like it was a full-blown concert. For better or worse, you watch award shows for these moments, and they delivered.
3
Sponsors can actually add to the experience, so take note
I’ll be honest: I usually clock the sponsors in passing either on step and repeats, in the ads, maybe on stage if they hand out an award. But this time, On The Rocks Cocktails changed that for me. Not only did they fly me out for the experience among other invited editors, but they also activated right outside the theater, handing out samples, including their new Sparkling Lime Margarita (a canned cocktail made with Tres Generaciones Tequila that I am now a fan of). It was a reminder that sometimes sponsors aren’t just logos, they’re worth checking out past the telecast.
4
The host city really sets the tone
There’s something about an award show in Vegas that just hits differently. It makes the whole weekend feel like an event, not just a show.
From the energy on the Strip to the parties happening all around the main event, it feels like the AMAs were plugged into the city itself. I’ve been to award shows in other cities, and trust, they don’t always feel this buzzy. Vegas makes it feel like you’re part of something bigger. For example, I was able to see Becky G join David Guetta during a live set at a pool party. Where else do you experience that?
5
Watching award shows in person is a totally different experience
The show is technically two hours long (which shocked me because it felt like one), but being in the audience makes time fly. You’re people-watching, you’re watching set pieces get flipped in real time, you’re catching celeb side conversations between takes. It’s a live theater version of what you usually see on screen. It’s fast. It’s chaotic. It’s fun. And it made me realize how different it is from the overly polished broadcast we’re used to watching from our couches.
Did you watch the show? What were your thoughts?
Travel and accommodations were provided to the author by On The Rocks Cocktails for the purpose of writing this story.
