2025 AMAs: Tyla shines as JLo's lip-locking performance stuns and divides audiences

Las Vegas was a whirlwind of talent and celebration on Monday, May 26, as the glamorous Fontainebleau hosted the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs).

With music and emotions running high, the evening was nothing short of spectacular, featuring a roster of the industry's leading figures, including Jennifer Lopez as the host.

This year’s awards saw South African superstar Tyla shine brightly amidst a constellation of musical talent. Known for her breakout single "Water," Tyla took home the award for Favourite Afrobeats Artist.

Her victory adds a significant accolade to her burgeoning career and marks an exciting moment for Afrobeats on the international stage.

Billie Eilish dominated the evening with seven awards, which included Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for "Hit Me Hard and Soft". 

Continuing her successful pivot to country music, Beyoncé walked away with two trophies for her latest genre-blending work: Favourite Female Country Artist and Favourite Country Album for "Cowboy Carter". 

Meanwhile, Post Malone, who came into the night with the eight nominations, ended with two wins for Favourite Country Song and Favourite Male Country Artist.

Other winners of the night included Bad Bunny, SZA, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. 

Aside from the winners, Lopez not only hosted but opened the show with an electrifying performance that featured a medley of 23 hits from the evening’s nominees.

Among the song, she danced to Billie Eilish's "Birds of a Feather", Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" and Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em".

However, her performance included a controversial lip-locking moment with her dancers, sparking various reactions from audiences.

Following her divorce from Ben Affleck just four months prior, some viewers labelled it a "desperate" act meant to stir up emotions.

Others blasted her for going "too far" with her girl-on-girl kiss, with one X user declaring: "Jennifer Lopez has lost the plot."

In an interview shortly after she confirmed that she "loved it" and that it was her idea to add the kisses to the dance routine. 

Abridged list of winners:

Artist of the Year: Billie Eilish

Album of the Year: Billie Eilish - "Hit Me Hard And Soft"

Collaboration of the Year: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars - "Die With A Smile"

Social Song of the Year: Doechii - "Anxiety"

Favourite Male Pop Artist: Bruno Mars

Favourite Pop Song: Billie Eilish - "Birds Of A Feather"

Favourite Male Country Artist: Post Malone

Favourite Country Album: Beyoncé - "Cowboy Carter"

Favourite Male Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem

Favourite Hip-Hop Song: Kendrick Lamar - "Not Like Us"

Favourite Male R&B Artist: The Weeknd 

Favourite R&B Song: SZA - "Saturn" 

Favourite Male Latin Artist: Bad Bunny

Favourite Male Latin Album: Bad Bunny - "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS"

Favourite Rock Artist: "Twenty One Pilots"

Favourite Rock Song: Linkin Park - "The Emptiness Machine"

Favourite K-Pop Artist: RM 

Favourite Afrobeats Artist: Tyla

New Artist of the Year: Gracie Abrams

Song of the Year: Billie Eilish - "Birds Of A Feather"

Favourite Touring Artist: Billie Eilish

Favourite Music Video: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars - "Die With A Smile"

Favourite Female Pop Artist: Billie Eilish 

Favourite Pop Album: Billie Eilish - "Hit Me Hard And Soft"

Favourite Female Country Artist: Beyoncé 

Favourite Country Song: Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen - "I Had Some Help"

Favourite Female Hip-Hop Artist: Megan Thee Stallion 

Favourite Hip-Hop Album: Eminem - "The Death Of Slim Shady" (Coup De Grâce) 

Favourite Female R&B Artist: SZA

Favourite R&B Album: The Weeknd - "Hurry Up Tomorrow"

Favourite Female Latin Artist: Becky G

Favourite Rock Album: Twenty One Pilots - "Clancy"

Favourite Dance/Electronic Artist: Lady Gaga