logo
American Music Awards 2025 branded 'worst show ever' after A-list stars abandon ceremony, desperate J.Lo kisses dancers and Kehlani launches political rant

American Music Awards 2025 branded 'worst show ever' after A-list stars abandon ceremony, desperate J.Lo kisses dancers and Kehlani launches political rant

Daily Mail​27-05-2025
The American Music Awards have been branded a 'hot mess' and the 'worst show ever' after most major stars snubbed this year's ceremony in Las Vegas.
Disappointed fans took to social media to complain about the lack of big names at the annual show, which was held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Monday.
Nominees including Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter were all absent from the event, and the guest list instead featured a slew of social media influencers.
The event was hosted by Jennifer Lopez, 55, who did her best to single-handedly bring the star power by performing a six-minute medley of 23 hits by the evening's nominees.
But the 55-year-old instead sparked criticism over a cringe-worthy make-out session with male and female dancers, with viewers calling the display 'desperate'.
Meanwhile singer Kehlani, 30, made waves with controversial remarks on the Israel-Palestine conflict, stating 'free Palenstine' during a red carpet interview.
And Swift, 35, in particular also caused a melt down among her fans when she snubbed the show, despite being nominated in six categories.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
After the AMA's concluded, furious fans took online to blast the show as a 'flop'.
Many also complained that not all categories were shown during the broadcast.
'AMAs were a FLOP. No a-list celebs, no tay wins, and it felt soooooo conservative and weird this year..... never watching that s**t again lol.'
'I'm sorry what??? That was a hot mess.'
'What in the world did I just watch? They didn't even announce some of the biggest awards! Hot mess.'
'American music awards but like…. Where were the musicians? All I saw were influencers and twitch streamers?' one fan wrote.
'American Music Awards? More like FLOP.'
'That was the worst absolute worst,' someone else chimed in.
'So yall decided not to announce on live tv the category that most than likely received the most votes of the entire night and the category that gave yall the most ratings?? See this is why I don't watch award shows anymore!'
'WHERE IS THE REST OF THE CATEGORIES???'
'you didn't give out awards to 95% of the nominated categories.'
'guys that sucked why so many performances and no awards??'
'Ummmmm so do you know you're an awards show and meant to give out awards? We are confused.'
'It should be second nature if people are blowing up and being murdered at mass rates, it should be no - it should be as easy as breathing to say, "Hey I don't really think this should be happening...' she continued, before hitting out at the United States' support for Israel. 'And we're funding it so we should stop,' Kehlani said, looking directly at the camera
Kehlani shares her stance on Gaza and Palestine: 'All I can say is, free Palestine.' pic.twitter.com/CjBzXzFSNn
— Variety (@Variety) May 26, 2025
After Lopez's shocking opening performance, fans quickly took to social media to discuss the act, which saw Lopez don a skintight nude catsuit with black patches and jewels.
'Jennifer Lopez has lost the plot,' one person wrote on X, with another asking, 'Why is Jennifer Lopez kissing everyone at the AMAs?'
Another shocked fan said, 'Just looked up from my phone and JENNIFER LOPEZ IS KISSING A GIRL?!?!'
Lopez took on hosting duties for this year's ceremony, which was held a decade after she first hosted in 2015.
Meanwhile R&B singer Kehlani made controversial comments on the red carpet, just weeks after New York City Mayor Eric Adams canceled her Central Park concert over similar statements.
The 30-year-old songstress was interviewed by Variety about her stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict ahead of the awards show, when she doubled down on her support for a Palestinian state.
'It shouldn't be a hard thing, it shouldn't be something I'm even looked at so massively for, it shouldn't be something I'm credited for,' the After Hours singer said.
'It should be second nature if people are blowing up and being murdered at mass rates, it should be no - it should be as easy as breathing to say, "Hey I don't really think this should be happening, this shouldn't be happening, maybe we should stop,"' she continued, before hitting out at the United States' support for Israel.
And we're funding it so we should stop,' Kehlani said, looking directly at the camera.
At that point, the interviewer asked whether other celebrities 'should be speaking out on the issue.'
'Yeah, I said it a bunch,' she said.
'I definitely think we have more power than we think and everything's stronger in numbers, and I think that that's something that hopefully people will understand at some point.'
Disappointed fans took to social media to question the star power at the show, with many lamenting the absence of major musicians and noting a prevalence of influencers instead
'But all I can say is "Free Palestine,"' she concluded.
The singer has previously faced backlash for her support amid the ongoing war in Gaza, with some claiming she has espoused antisemitic views.
Her music video 'Next 2 U' opens with the phrase 'long live the intifada' and features dancers waving Palestinian flags.
Intifada, an Arabic word for 'uprising' or 'resistance,' is seen by some as a call for violence against Jews.
During the show, singer SZA had all eyes on her at the event, with bedazzled pasties visible from under her dress. SZA took the stage twice, first for 'Saturn' winning Favorite R&B Song, then for Favorite Female R&B Artist.
Meanwhile Swift's fans were disappointed after the singer snubbed the event on Monday.
Some had even thought she would announce the release of her long awaited Reputation (Taylor's Version) album at the event.
Many were dismayed when she didn't show up on the red carpet, with one writing 'Taylor Swift arrives at #AMAS,' along with an empty backdrop from the event.
'WHERES TAYLOR SWIFT????' another comment with a crying emoji questioned.
Someone else jokingly shared a social media snap of Taylor snoozing in bed with the hashtag AMAS.
'Me realising taylor swift isn't even showing up to the #amas,' yet another disappointed fan wrote, alongside a clip of Regina George from Mean Girls screaming.
Another fan shared a clip of Swift laughing with the caption: 'Taylor Swift at home right now laughing at everyone thinking she'd turn up and announce Rep TV #TaylorSwift.'
Someone else quipped, 'TAYLOR SWIFT HAS ARRIVED AT THE 2025 AMAS RED CARPET #AMAS,' along with a photo of someone in a snake costume.
'Me waiting for Taylor Swift to show up at the AMAs,' another meme read.
Swift was nominated in six categories for her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Favorite Touring Artist, Collaboration of the Year, Favorite Female Pop Artist and Favorite Pop Album.
Besides her spicy choreography, Lopez wowed in a number of outfit changes throughout the night
Swift holds the record for most AMA wins with 40.
The event also featured performances from Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, and Benson Boone.
Janet Jackson received the Icon Award during the festivities, while Rod Stewart was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
A number of stars presented the big wins, including comedians Nikki Glaser and Tiffany Haddish, actor Wayne Brady, model Cara Delevingne, pop star Ciara, streamer Kai Cenat, and singers Megan Moroney and Shaboozey.
This year marks the first time the awards show was shown on CBS, after being aired on ABC since 1974.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pat McAfee finally apologizes for spreading fake sex rumor about Ole Miss student five months later
Pat McAfee finally apologizes for spreading fake sex rumor about Ole Miss student five months later

Daily Mail​

time26 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Pat McAfee finally apologizes for spreading fake sex rumor about Ole Miss student five months later

Pat McAfee has revealed he recently apologized to Mary Kate Cornett and her family in person after spreading a fake sex claim about the Ole Miss student earlier this year. Cornett, 19, was the subject of a vile internet rumor back in February which alleged that she was in a sexual relationship with the father of her University of Mississippi boyfriend, Evan Solis, also 19. The unproven accusation, which was even investigated by the FBI, left Mary Kate's family furious as they threatened legal action against anyone who shared it online. One of those people was McAfee, who discussed the false rumor live on his ESPN sports talk show on two separate occasions. Cornett ripped into the former NFL punter for doing so at the time, while claiming that he had never contacted her to find out if there was any truth to the story. McAfee then broke his silence a week later by insisting he 'never wants to be a part of anything negative in anybody's life'. Now, five months on from the start of the rumor, he has finally apologized to both Cornett and her family for spreading it. 'As a lot of you know, on February 26 of this year, we were down at the Combine on this particular program. We discussed a very viral internet story about an Ole Miss college student. We weren't clear at that time where the story originated from. It was all over the internet,' McAfee said on Wednesday's edition of his show. 'Yet by the time we talked about it, the story was everywhere. I have since learned that the story was not true, and that my show played a role in the anguish caused to a great family and especially to a young woman, Mary Kate Cornett. 'I think you all know from tuning into this program that I never want to be a source of negativity or contribute to another human's suffering. And I can now happily share with you that I recently got to meet Mary Kate and her family. And I got a chance to sincerely apologize to them and acknowledge that what I said about Mary Kate was based solely on what others were saying on the internet, or what had previously been reported by others, and that we had no personal knowledge about Mary Kate or her personal life.' McAfee then added: 'As a girl dad, I also was very thankful for the opportunity to let Mr. Cornett know that I was wildly regretful for the part that our show, our program, played in his daughter, Mary Kate's, pain. 'I know many of you are wondering why I, or we, haven't addressed this topic until now. It's a fair question. But as you might imagine, there was a lot going on behind the scenes since this all happened. 'The most important element on the timing is that I, personally, it was a decision I made, wanted to talk to the family first before addressing it publicly. And I can now say that I had the opportunity to meet them, chat with them, and they're wonderful people. And I'm very thankful that they gave me the opportunity to tell them how sorry I was that this all happened, and that our program was a part of this. 'I deeply regret all the pain that this caused. I hated watching what our show as a part of, in her interviews and reading about it. And my hope is that this can be something that we all learn from going forward. I know we certainly have. 'Our goal at this show is to make the world a happier place, a better place. To celebrate life and sports and unify folks. I, and we, don't always get it right. But we'll never stop trying.' McAfee was not the only high-profile figure to admit regret over spreading the false accusation about Cornett, with Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy also owning up to his mistake. Portnoy expressed regret that his media empire played a part, telling telling the Daily Mail back in April that he would be 'p***ed' if he was Cornett's family. In a statement, he said: 'I wish we didn't publish it even if it was only for 7 minutes. 'I'd be p***ed if I was the family too. I'd like to think we're better than publishing fake rumors of people not in the public eye regardless of how viral the story was.'

Can Burning Man survive the financial desert - and keep its soul intact?
Can Burning Man survive the financial desert - and keep its soul intact?

The Guardian

time28 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

Can Burning Man survive the financial desert - and keep its soul intact?

Burning Man has faced its share of challenges in recent years. There were the Covid years when organizers cancelled the Nevada festival entirely, the sweltering record temperatures of 2022, and mud created by heavy rains in 2023 that trapped tens of thousands of attendees on the playa. Then last year, Burning Man tickets failed to sell out as they had every year since 2011. It was an indicator of a deep trouble for the week-long desert celebration in the form of a $20m revenue shortfall that meant 'everything is now at risk', Marian Goodell, the Burning Man Project CEO, wrote last fall. Burning Man has been trying to find its financial footing and figure out how to ensure the longevity of a festival that has become an institution, Goodell told Bloomberg in an interview this week, a month ahead of this year's festivities. The festival must succeed as a business, she told the outlet, while adding: 'I am loath to look at Burning Man as a product, where the goal is to sell as much of the product as possible.' Burning Man, which started in 1986 on a San Francisco beach, is held each year in Nevada's remote Black Rock desert, where as many as 73,000 people travel to partake in the revelry and performance art. But over the years it has increasingly become a playground for the wealthy and Silicon Valley elite, such as Elon Musk. Meanwhile, rising ticket prices have coincided with a decrease in attendees making less than $50,000, Bloomberg reported. Wealthy attendees, the outlet noted, have provided a 'lifeline' to Burning Man over the years, with five people responsible for two-thirds of the $60m the festival has raised since 2014. Despite its explosive popularity over the years, in 2024 Burning Man fell short of its fundraising goals and saw a reduction in ticket sales. The organization does not have corporate sponsorships to support its operations, and the sale of tickets, which cost anywhere from $550 to $3,000, do not alone cover those expenses, Goodell said in her October note. 'Ticket revenue alone does not fund all that Burning Man Project does to bring Burning Man to the world, including the production of Black Rock City, and in fact has not since 2014.' The organization has turned to Burners for support, writing that a monthly contributions of $20 'will help to keep Burning Man programs alive'. While it received millions of dollars in support, it still fell short of its fundraising goal last year. But this year's tickets have so far sold well, according to Bloomberg, allowing organizers 'to keep moving forward.' Last year's decline in ticket sales prompted some outlets to ask whether the festival was past its prime, but Goodell argued in the Reno Gazette Journal in June 'the values that guide the Burning Man creative culture are more relevant today than ever.' 'It's not a partisan project. It's a cultural one. It's creative. And creative culture, especially when rooted in shared values rather than political ideology, is what holds people together when everything else feels like it's falling apart,' she said.

Wife of Astronomer CEO is hiding out in $2.4M mansion after Coldplay kiss cam... as family rush to her side and neighbors break silence on her 'disgusting' husband
Wife of Astronomer CEO is hiding out in $2.4M mansion after Coldplay kiss cam... as family rush to her side and neighbors break silence on her 'disgusting' husband

Daily Mail​

time43 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Wife of Astronomer CEO is hiding out in $2.4M mansion after Coldplay kiss cam... as family rush to her side and neighbors break silence on her 'disgusting' husband

The wife of disgraced CEO Andy Byron is laying low at the family's $2.4million Maine mansion while holding crisis talks over her marriage, the Daily Mail can reveal. Megan Byron, 50, had several family members, including her older sister Maura, rush to her side after footage of her 50-year-old husband canoodling with his top HR exec, Kristin Cabot, at a concert, went viral last week.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store