The original Queen of Pop is officially reclaiming her throne!
CBS and Dick Clark Productions just dropped the mic with the announcement that Janet Jackson — yes, the Janet Jackson — is being honored with the prestigious ICON Award at the 2025 American Music Awards, airing live from Las Vegas on Monday, May 26 at 8PM ET/5PM PT on CBS and Paramount+.
Oh, and did we mention she’s performing too?! That’s right. Janet is set to light up the stage with her first television performance in seven years, and honestly, we already know it’s going to be the moment of the night.
Hosted by the ever-fabulous Jennifer Lopez, the 51st AMAs are making a massive splash this Memorial Day from the glamorous new Fontainebleau Las Vegas—and with Janet on the lineup, it’s giving ICONIC energy only.
Celebrating 50 years in the music industry, Janet Jackson is showing the world she’s still that girl. From setting trends in the ‘80s with “Control” to pioneering genre-defining hits like “Rhythm Nation,” “All For You,” and “Someone To Call My Lover” — which, by the way, recently went viral on social media and zoomed back up the charts — Ms. Jackson’s influence continues to transcend generations.
Thanks to a 1,400% spike in streams, the early 2000s bop re-entered Billboard’s R&B Digital Songs chart at No. 3 nearly 24 years after its debut. Timeless? We think yes.
Let’s run down the receipts: 5 GRAMMYs, 2 Emmys, a Golden Globe, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and over 180 million records sold worldwide. Janet isn’t just a pop star — she’s a movement.
She’s also the first woman to debut in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, the only woman with five Top 10 hits from three separate albums, and the reigning queen of debut tours. Not to mention, her “Together Again” tour in 2023 was her highest-grossing tour ever, and fans could not get enough.
Need more? Her JANET JACKSON: LAS VEGAS residency sold out over New Year’s, and she’s bringing it back this May with a fresh six-show run at Resorts World Theatre. Following her AMAs performance, fans can catch her live on May 28, 30, and 31 —but grab those tickets fast, because the icon sells out fast.
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The AMAs ICON Award honors an artist whose music has made a global impact — and no one embodies that more than Janet. From smashing records to smashing stereotypes, she’s been a cultural force since day one. Whether she’s serving us fierce choreo, flawless vocals, or iconic fashion (hi, Thom Browne wardrobe), Janet continues to slay decades into her career.
And with this year’s AMAs promising major tributes to veterans, emotional moments, and performances from today’s hottest stars, this show is shaping up to be one of the biggest nights in music.
Want your faves to win? Head over to VoteAMAs.com or hit up @AMAs on Instagram to cast your votes before Thursday, May 15 at 11:59pm PT. (And yes, Collaboration of the Year and Social Song of the Year will stay open during the first 30 minutes of the live show.)
The 2025 American Music Awards air Monday, May 26 at 8PM ET/5PM PT, only on CBS and Paramount+. Get your glitter, grab your crew, and get ready to bow down to Janet — because the ICON is back, and she’s about to shut it all the way down.
