Introduction
The 2025 American Music Awards, held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, was a night to remember. Hosted by Jennifer Lopez, the event showcased some of the biggest names in the music industry, with surprises and snubs that kept viewers on their toes.
The Big Winners
Billie Eilish was the shining star of the night, winning all seven categories she was nominated for, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft, and Song of the Year for Birds of a Feather. Eilish’s clean sweep marked a remarkable achievement, especially considering her absence from the ceremony due to her world tour.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé claimed two awards for Favourite Female Country Artist and Favourite Country Album, highlighting her versatility. Eminem made a significant comeback by winning his first AMA in 15 years, for Favourite Male Hip-Hop Artist and Favourite Hip-hop Album.
The Surprises and Snubs
Despite its glitz, the ceremony was not without surprises. Billie Eilish’s sweep was a pleasant surprise, but the biggest shock was Taylor Swift not winning any of her six nominations — a first since her breakout in 2007. This marked the first time she was shut out at the AMAs in over a decade.
Other notable snubs included Kendrick Lamar, who, despite leading with ten nominations, only secured one award. Conversely, artists like Gracie Abrams and Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda pulled off unexpected wins, shaking up the usual favorites.
Memorable Moments
The event also featured heartfelt speeches, such as Janet Jackson receiving the Icon Award, where she expressed her humility about her legendary status: ‘I don’t consider myself an icon. My family, myself, our dream wasn’t ever to be famous; we weren’t raised like that.’
Legendary singer Rod Stewart closed the night with a performance of “Forever Young,” receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from his children. He reflected, ‘When I started singing in the early 60s, I had this burning ambition to sing. That’s all I wanted to do, and now, here I am.’
Conclusion
The 2025 AMAs proved once again that music is unpredictable, exciting, and full of surprises. With big wins for new artists and unexpected snubs, the night left fans eager to see what the future holds for these artists. Who will be the next to break through or surprise us at the next award show?
