American Music Awards 2025: A Night to Remember

The American Music Awards 2025 took place on Monday evening, with Rod Stewart being the highlight of the night as he received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer delivered a lively performance of his 1988 track "Forever Young," getting the crowd on their feet.

Rod Stewart’s Heartfelt Acceptance Speech

Before his performance, all five of Stewart’s children took the stage to honor their father. A video showcasing the expansion of Stewart’s career was also played. In his acceptance speech, Stewart expressed his gratitude, stating, "When I started singing in the early 1960s, I had this burning ambition to sing. It’s all I wanted to do, I didn’t want to be rich or famous, and here I was a few years later and got this wonderful award." He also thanked the musicians he had worked with and his influences, including Sam Cooke, David Ruffin, and Muddy Waters.

A Night of Amazing Performances

Stewart’s performance of "Forever Young" was accompanied by dancers and musicians, creating an optimistic and high-quality show. This was Stewart’s first appearance at the AMAs in over two decades, since he last performed a rendition of Louis Armstrong’s "What a Wonderful World" in 2004. Other performers of the night included Jennifer Lopez, who also hosted the event, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, and Reneé Rapp.

Iconic Moments

Janet Jackson made a comeback to the AMAs stage after seven years, performing for the first time on television since 2018. She was also honored with the Icon Award. Previously, Jackson received the Billboard Music Awards Icon Award in 2018, where she performed a medley of her hits.

Winners of the Night

The winners of the American Music Awards 2025 included Billie Eilish, who took home the Artist of the Year award, while her album "Shoot off Hard and soft" won Album of the Year. "Birds of a Feather" won Song of the Year, and Gracie Abrams was crowned New Artist of the Year. Kendrick Lamar led the nominations with 10, followed by Post Malone, Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey.

About the American Music Awards

The American Music Awards were created by Dick Clark Productions, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation, the parent company of The Hollywood Reporter. The event brought together some of the biggest names in the music industry, with a star-studded lineup of performers and presenters. For a full list of winners and arrivals, check out the official AMAs website.