Las Vegas, NV — The 2025 American Music Awards lit up the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Monday night with a vibrant celebration of fan-voted talent, but the evening unquestionably belonged to Billie Eilish.
The 23-year-old pop sensation swept all seven categories she was nominated in — including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Favorite Touring Artist — marking a career milestone as she continues her global dominance. Eilish, currently touring in Europe, accepted her top honor via a heartfelt video message:
“This is so crazy. I feel speechless. I wish I could be there tonight,” she said, visibly moved.
Her critically acclaimed third studio album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” released in May 2024, was a key driver behind her AMA success, solidifying her status as a generational talent.
Other Big Winners
- Gracie Abrams, known for her emotionally raw single “That’s So True,” was named New Artist of the Year, thanking her fans for their ongoing inspiration in a pre-recorded message.
- SZA continued her reign in R&B, bagging two trophies: Favorite Female R&B Artist and Favorite R&B Song for “Saturn.”
- Becky G won Favorite Female Latin Artist, celebrating her continued crossover appeal.
A surprising but notable win came for Beyoncé, who picked up two country awards — Favorite Female Country Artist and Favorite Country Album for Cowboy Carter, marking her first AMA victories in the country genre. Despite her absence, her impact was strongly felt.
Post Malone was named Favorite Male Country Artist, while Kendrick Lamar, despite leading with 10 nominations, walked away with only one award — Favorite Hip-Hop Song for “Not Like Us.”
A Night of Tributes and Iconic Performances
Opening the show, host Jennifer Lopez dazzled with a six-minute medley featuring 23 songs from this year’s biggest nominees, including Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather”, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso”, and Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
Janet Jackson was honored with the Icon Award, celebrating her decades of global influence.
“I don’t consider myself an icon,” Jackson humbly said. “I just hope I’ve inspired others to follow their dreams.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Rod Stewart, who took the audience on a nostalgic ride with his timeless anthem “Forever Young.” At 80, Stewart reflected on his career:
“All I wanted to do was sing. I didn’t want to be rich or famous.”
No-Shows and Notable Absences
While the night was filled with memorable moments, it was marked by the absence of several top nominees, including Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Beyoncé. Nevertheless, their music — and their fans — kept their presence alive throughout the ceremony.
With Billie Eilish’s total domination, heartfelt tributes, and genre-defying wins, the 2025 AMAs proved once again to be a celebration of music’s evolving landscape and its ability to connect across borders, generations, and genres.
