Janet Jackson is poised to grace the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) stage with the prestigious Icon Award, marking her triumphant return to television performances after a seven-year hiatus since 2018. With an impressive resume spanning five decades in the music industry, Jackson boasts an incredible tally of 11 AMA victories, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, five Grammy Awards, two Emmys, and a staggering 180 million albums sold worldwide. As one of only four artists—alongside Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, and U2—to secure a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 across four consecutive decades (1980s, 90s, 00s, and 10s), Jackson's musical prowess is unparalleled.
Her timeless hit "Someone to Call My Lover" from the 2001 album 'All for You' has recently experienced a resurgence on TikTok, catapulting it back onto the Billboard charts, achieving a remarkable No. 3 position on the R&B digital songs chart, and witnessing a staggering 1,400% surge in year-to-date U.S. on-demand streams, according to Luminate. Jackson's groundbreaking third album, 'Control,' which celebrated its 39th anniversary recently, holds a special place in history as the first album by a woman to yield five top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Its sequel, 'Rhythm Nation 1814,' further cemented her legacy as the only album to spawn seven top-five charting songs on the same chart.
Jackson's upcoming performance will be a highlight of her ongoing Vegas residency, 'Janet Jackson: Las Vegas,' which kicked off in December 2024. From May 21-31, six unforgettable shows await at the Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas. In 2018, Jackson was honored with the Billboard Music Awards Icon Award, where she mesmerized the audience with a medley of "Nasty," "If," and "Throb," and delivered an inspiring speech advocating for the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
During her speech at the BBMAs, Jackson expressed, "We live in a glorious moment in history, filled with challenges but also marked by women's unwavering stance against control, manipulation, and abuse. I stand in solidarity with those women and the men who, outraged by discrimination, support us with their hearts and minds. As our public discourse grows louder and harsher, I pray we seek refuge in the ultimate source of calmness—God. For all that we lack, God provides in abundance: compassion, sensitivity, patience, and boundless love."
Hosted by the multifaceted Jennifer Lopez, the 2025 AMAs will broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+ from the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Fan voting for the AMAs remains open until Thursday at 11:59:50 p.m. PT, with the exception of the Collaboration of the Year and Social Song of the Year categories, which will be open for web voting during the first 30 minutes of the awards ceremony. Kendrick Lamar leads this year's nominations with an impressive 10 nods.
Founded by Dick Clark Productions, a subsidiary joint venture between Penske Media Corporation (parent company of The Hollywood Reporter) and Eldridge, the American Music Awards continues to celebrate the most influential artists in music.
