Jennifer Lopez has long-standing ties with the American Music Awards, far beyond just her nine solo performances or the first time she hosted the ceremony back in 2015.
Her first appearance on the AMA stage happened in 1991 when she showed up as a backup dancer for New Kids on the Block.
At just 21 years old and far from her later fame, Lopez wore jeans and a leather jacket, delivering dance steps that were full of ‘90s energy during the group’s song “Games.” Looking back on it now, she recalls it with laughter and warmth, as she does with all her performances.
Lopez, who is now 55, will once again handle both hosting and performing duties at this year’s AMAs. The annual event, first launched by Dick Clark in 1974, has become a steady fixture in the music industry. According to Lopez, the opening segment of the show will serve as a tribute to music released throughout the past year.
Dance remains an essential part of her performance plans. She jokes about how dancing is always a part of her stage time, saying with a smile, “There’s never a performance where I’m not dancing!”
This Year’s American Music Awards Line-Up
The show is set to air live from the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on May 26 at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET on CBS and will also be available on Paramount+.
A variety of musicians are expected to perform. The list includes Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, and Reneé Rapp. Janet Jackson will be receiving the Icon Award, while Rod Stewart will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year’s most-nominated acts include Kendrick Lamar with ten nods and Post Malone, who received eight. Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey each collected seven nominations. Taylor Swift, who already holds the record for the most AMA wins, has picked up six more this year, bringing her total to 40.
Lopez opened up about why she’s usually hesitant to take on hosting duties, saying, “It might be surprising, but I’m shy. Performing with a song or script is something I enjoy, and I’m used to it. Hosting, though, requires another kind of ability. It’s not exactly what I enjoy the most.”
Even though she’s not naturally drawn to hosting, Lopez decided to take on the role this year due to how dynamic today’s music scene feels to her.
She shared her excitement about the influence of Latin music, saying, “Right now, music is buzzing with a lot of creativity, especially with Spanish-language music going global.
I think it’s great that Gloria Estefan is being celebrated for breaking through with Latin sounds. And I also enjoy how fresh and different the newer artists are; they don’t all sound the same.”
Beyond the Awards: Lopez’s Other Projects
Lopez recently completed her part in the romantic comedy “Office Romance,” where she stars alongside Brett Goldstein. She’s also set to appear in the upcoming musical thriller “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” which is expected to be released on October 10.
When asked about her music plans, she hinted that there are some projects she’s still keeping under wraps. For now, though, Lopez is focusing on supporting her fellow artists during the AMAs. When she’s not taking the stage herself, she’ll be behind the scenes, cheering them on.
She said she hopes the audience leaves the show feeling satisfied. “I just want everyone to have fun and enjoy themselves,” she explained. “And I want them to feel that their voices matter, that picking and supporting their favorite artists means something.”
