Entertainment
The 2025 AMAs Had Big Wins, Bigger Moments, and One Emotional Surprise
- Billie Eilish swept all seven categories she was nominated in, making history at this year’s show.
- Over 6.4 million people tuned in across CBS and Paramount+, signalling a strong return for the fan-voted awards.
The AMAs Are Back
The returned after two years and took over the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The show was hosted by Jennifer Lopez and was transmitted live on CBS and streamed through Paramount+. The AMAs came back with major stars looking to be onstage and millions of viewers tuning in.
Viewership Numbers
While exact Nielsen ratings for the 2025 AMAs are unavailable, the 2024 AMAs 50th Anniversary Special attracted 6.1 million viewers across CBS and Paramount+, indicating strong viewership potential for the 2025 event. The broadcast outperformed the previous televised version in 2022, indicating a triumphant return for the fan-driven awards presentation. CBS claimed greater engagement on its digital properties, and video from the night’s most memorable moments was extensively shared online.
Billie Eilish Wins Big
Billie Eilish won in every category she was nominated for, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “Birds of a Feather�, and Pop Album of the Year. Her sweep cemented her status as one of the most prominent voices in music right now. She kept her acceptance speeches short and focused on thanking her fans.
Celebrating Legacy Artists
Janet Jackson was honoured with the Icon Award and performed “Someone to Call My Lover� and “All for You�. This marked her first televised performance in several years. Rod Stewart received the Lifetime Achievement Award and delivered “Forever Young� after being surprised on stage by five of his children.
Notable Wins and Performances
Kendrick Lamar received ten nominations and won for Favourite Hip-Hop Song. Taylor Swift had six nominations but did not attend and did not win any awards.
A list of live performances included this one from Gloria Estefan performing a medley honouring Latin music. There was a moment for country singer Lainey Wilson as well, with applause that sounded loud and long.
Brand Involvement
The AMAs 2025 featured sponsorships and integrations from major brands:
- Coca-Cola sponsored fan voting activations
- Verizon supported real-time polling tech used during the broadcast
- TikTok served as an official social partner, distributing exclusive clips and backstage content
- Amazon Music offered pre-show interviews and curated artist playlists
These brand partnerships were visible throughout the event but didn’t overshadow the music.
Fashion Highlights
Jennifer Lopez appeared in a custom sculptural gown. Billie Eilish did not attend the 2025 AMAs in person due to her tour commitments, but her virtual acceptance speeches for her seven wins were widely shared on social media. One of the most recent emerging artists, Benson Boone, gained visibility during one of the rare red carpet appearances at the 2025 AMAs that greatly contributed to his rising profile.
Emerging Talent Recognised
Newer names also made an impression. Zara Monet Cruz gained streaming traction after her red carpet appearance. Emerging artists like Gracie Abrams and Benson Boone saw their profiles grow substantially after the 2025 AMAs, with increased attention following their appearances
Paramount+ included these artists in its “Emerging Watchlist” category, which increased their AMA visibility.
What the AMAs Delivered in 2025
The 2025 American Music Awards balanced tribute and progress. Fan voting shaped the results, legacy artists brought weight, and newer talent got noticed.
With its return to live format and a renewed sense of purpose, the AMAs showed that there’s still room for televised music celebrations—when they listen to the moment and include voices from across genres and generations.
