Las Vegas — May 13, 2025
Music legend Janet Jackson will be honored with the Icon Award at the 2025 American Music Awards, marking a milestone 50 years in the industry. The pop and R&B superstar will also perform live on television for the first time since 2018, making this one of the most anticipated musical moments of the year.
The event, hosted by Jennifer Lopez, will air live from Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Memorial Day, May 26 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, broadcast on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
A Career of Unmatched Influence
With 11 American Music Awards, five Grammys, two Emmys, and more than 180 million albums sold worldwide, Jackson’s cultural and musical impact is unmatched. She joins an elite group of artists — including Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, and U2 — who have had No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 in four separate decades.
Her groundbreaking 1986 album Control became the first by a female artist to yield five top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Her follow-up, Rhythm Nation 1814, remains the only album in history to generate seven top-five hits on that chart.
A Viral Comeback and New Generational Reach
Jackson’s 2001 hit “Someone to Call My Lover” has enjoyed a viral resurgence thanks to TikTok, re-entering the Billboard charts and landing at No. 3 on the R&B Digital Songs Chart. According to Luminate, the track has seen a 1,400% increase in U.S. on-demand streaming year-to-date.
Her legacy continues to evolve, resonating with new generations while maintaining a devoted fan base that has supported her through decades of change in the music industry.
Live Performance From Her Las Vegas Residency
Jackson’s AMA performance will take place during the next leg of her “Janet Jackson: Las Vegas” residency at Resorts World Theatre, where she’s scheduled to perform six shows from May 21 to May 31. This will be her first televised performance in seven years, since she received the Billboard Icon Award in 2018.
At that 2018 ceremony, she delivered a powerful speech supporting the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, stating:
“Women have made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused… My prayer is that weary of such noise, we turn back to the source of all calmness — that source is God.”
Fan Voting and Show Highlights
Voting for the 2025 AMAs is open until Thursday at 11:59:50 p.m. PT, except in the categories of Collaboration of the Year and Social Song of the Year, which will remain open during the first 30 minutes of the live broadcast.
This year, Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with 10 nods, promising a competitive and star-studded show. Performances from top artists and the high-profile hosting of Jennifer Lopez are expected to draw major viewership.
About the AMAs
The American Music Awards, created by Dick Clark Productions, have long celebrated fan-driven achievements in music. The show is now produced by Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge, the parent company of The Hollywood Reporter.
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