The AMAs sizzled with a kiss from JLo, a flip from Benson Boone and a tribute to Rod Stewart
LAS VEGAS - From some steamy moments from host and performer Jennifer Lopez to well-earned plaudits for some of the music industry's most enduring artists, this year's American Music Awards offered a musical buffet.
The two-hour show, held for the first time at the intimate theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, also spotlighted performers including SZA, Gracie Abrams, Eminem and artist of the year Billie Eilish, who is touring Europe and sent her thanks via video.
Eilish won in all of her seven nominated categories, while Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga and Post Malone also landed in the winners circle.
See the full list here.
The fan-voted event brought vibrant performances from newcomers, including Benson Boone and Alex Warren, to legends Gloria Estefan ? making her AMAs return after 30 years ? and Lifetime Achievement Award winner Rod Stewart.
More: Rod Stewart receives Lifetime Achievement Award at AMAs, performs 'Forever Young'
Here are some of the most memorable moments from the 51st incarnation of the show.
Jennifer Lopez's fierce opening performance
When Jennifer Lopez told us a couple of days before the AMAs that her opening performance would include dancing, she may have undersold it.
What this woman is capable of doing on stage at 55 can only make her younger peers gape in awe.
Leading with a few verses from her 2012 hit with Pitbull, "Dance Again," Lopez sang robustly in a hall of mirrors before donning a VR headset, slinking onto the stage in a sparkly bodysuit and kickstarting a 23-song, six-minute romp that allowed the triple threat to showcase her limber moves and dramatic camera stares.
Surrounded by a dance squad – who, frankly, she still outshines – Lopez dropped into back bends, spun with acrobatic grace and was twirled overhead by her dancers as a medley of last year’s hits ("Good Luck, Babe!," "Birds of a Feather," "A Bar Song (Tipsy)") played.
She probably raised a few eyebrows with her seductive movements during Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things," laying a couple of passionate kisses on her male and female dancers alike, but it's Vegas, so why not?
More: Jennifer Lopez makes out with dancers onstage to year's biggest songs at AMAs
Lopez wrapped her exhaust-a-thon by embracing her Fly Girl roots with some fierce hip-hop moves to accompany Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," demonstrating again that fearlessness is always to be applauded.
Benson Boone flips out
Benson Boone continued to prove himself the most welcome of award show performers because, as always, there was razzle dazzle.
This time, it came when the nattily attired singer, in a purple spangled suit, did one of his patented twists from the top of the stage to the floor, where he sidled up to Heidi Klum and Nikki Glaser while singing his new song, "Mystical Magical."
Backed by a small string section, Boone smoothly rolled through the song from his upcoming album, "American Heart," which he said on the purple carpet ahead of the show is his "most complete body of work."
Janet Jackson's Icon Award: 'Because of you and God I'm standing here'
Fewer than 24 hours after playing a show at her new Las Vegas residency at Resorts World, Janet Jackson took the stage for her first TV performance in seven years.
Jackson's medley of "Someone to Call My Lover" and "All For You" was a combination of sweetness and sass. Few can convey more attitude with a stare as deeply as Jackson, and she alternated between those tough looks and breezy moves as she cavorted with her shirtless dancers.
Immediately after her slinky performance, Jackson was bestowed with the AMAs' Icon Award, a fitting tribute given the show’s location in Vegas, where Jackson started her career 52 years ago.
More: Janet Jackson receives Icon Award at 2025 AMAs, performs for first time on TV in 7 years
"No disrespect in any way, but I don't consider myself an icon," Jackson said with trademark soft-spokenness. "My family, myself, our dream wasn't ever to be famous. We always had a special love for music, dancing and singing and fame came with the result of hard work and dedication."
As she cradled her award, Jackson said she hoped to be an inspiration for others to "follow their dreams and succeed."
"Because of you and God, I’m standing right here," she said before closing her speech. "Keep God in every part of your life because that’s where he wants to be."
Military members honored on Memorial Day
Given that the AMAs were held on Memorial Day, it offered the ideal opportunity for declarations of gratitude to American military members.
Zac Brown stood next to rows of military members invited to the show as he talked about the Easy Day Foundation, the Las Vegas-based nonprofit supporting veterans as they transition from military to civilian life.
"There is much to do for the incredible men and women who do whatever they are asked so we can be free in America," Brown said, as he held the Veterans Voice Award for all of his and the Zac Brown Band's support of veterans.
Throughout the broadcast, other mentions resonated.
Ciara spotlighted some of the military members in the audience, while Dan + Shay, upon winning the favorite country duo or group award, also paid tribute in their acceptance speech. "Without you guys, we wouldn't get to do what we love," Shay Mooney said.
Gloria Estefan also gave a nod to the troops at the opening of her spirited medley.
“Shout out to the service members around the world!” Estefan proclaimed as she rolled into “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” new song “La Vecina (No Sé Na')" and the 40-year-old hip shaker, “Conga,” all while Lopez stood beaming in the front row and dancing alongside Estefan’s husband, Emilio.
Rod Stewart is 'overwhelmed' at the sight of his family
It probably takes a lot to surprise Rod Stewart.
But seeing his family onstage to introduce a video retrospective of the enduring rocker's 60-year career had the desired effect.
"I'm flabbergasted. I didn't know they were here," he said, gesturing to his crew. "I have eight (children). I didn't have a TV."
Stewart, who turned 80 in January, graciously accepted his Lifetime Achievement Award with a speech noting his influences of Sam Cooke and Muddy Waters.
But it was his family's appearance that still affected him the deepest as he dropped an f-bomb to express how "overwhelmed" he was.
"It's not easy being me," he quipped, before bounding to another part of the stage to perform a rollicking version of "Forever Young" – bagpipes included ? to close the show.
In his black striped pants, ruffled shirt and short white jacket, Stewart was still the epitome of cool as he belted the inspirational anthem, played air guitar and momentarily backed out of the spotlight for his female musicians to play fiddle and step dance, a gentleman to the end.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The AMAs biggest moments from Rod Stewart to JLo
