Janet Jackson certainly took “Control” of the 2025 American Music Awards.
The intro of the five-time Grammy winner’s iconic track “Control” was played during the beginning of her set, igniting the tone for her AMAs performance. Shortly after, Jackson launched into a rendition of “Someone to Call My Lover,” which notably reentered the pop cultural zeitgeist in recent months after going viral on TikTok.
Sporting a white puffy jacket and a pair of jeans, Jackson captivated the AMAs audience with the first track before swiftly transitioning into a performance of her classic hit “All for You.” During her set, Jackson had a commanding presence, dancing alongside her backup dancers in true Jackson fashion.
After the performance, Tasha Smith sung praise toward Jackson, noting her immense impact on the industry while presenting her with the standout AMAs Icon Award. While accepting the honor, Jackson showed her gratitude for the award while noting that she doesn’t “consider myself an icon.”
“I am so, so honored, I’m so grateful. I mean no disrespect in anyway, but I don’t consider myself an icon,” she said, which the crowd met with a cheer of boos. “My family, myself, our dream wasn’t ever to be famous, we weren’t raised like that. We always had a special love for music, dancing and singing, and fame came with the result of hard work and dedication.”
Jackson continued to show love for the Jackson family in her acceptance speech: “My story, my family’s story, it’s truly an American story, this would have only happened in America. The one thing that I hope for is I’ve been an inspiration for others and artists to follow their dreams and succeed.”
“To my family who have been my biggest supporters since birth, and of course, to the fans, because of you and God, I’m standing right here,” Jackson added. “I love you too, I want to thank the AMAs for this honor, which I am humbly grateful and last but not least I want to say keep God in every part of your life, because that’s where he wants to be.”
Jennifer Lopez pulled double duty on Monday night, acting as host and one of the many AMAs performers. Alongside Lopez, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson and Reneé Rapp took the stage.
Jackson gave her first TV performance in seven years at the 2025 AMAs as she was notably honored with the Icon Award. Previously, the “That’s the Way Love Goes” singer received the Billboard Music Awards Icon Award in 2018, where she performed a medley of “Nasty,” “If” and “Throb.”
Rod Stewart was another special honoree at the night’s ceremony, and he received the lifetime achievement award. The 2025 AMAs marked Stewart’s first time he was on the AMAs stage in over two decades since his last appearance in 2004.
Heading into Monday night, Kendrick Lamar led this year’s nominees with 10 nominations, followed closely by Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan and Shaboozey
The AMAs were created by Dick Clark Productions. DCP is owned by Penske Media Corporation, The Hollywood Reporter‘s parent company, in a subsidiary joint venture between Penske Media and Eldridge. Check out the star-studded arrivals and the night’s full list of winners.
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