- 5/28/2025
From unforgettable vocal performances to spectacular dance routines, the American Music Awards stage has hosted some of music's most iconic moments. Join us as we celebrate the most memorable performances that left audiences speechless and changed pop culture forever. Which superstar moment tops your list?
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00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the American Music Award
00:12performances that stole the whole show, and should have won an award for it.
00:23Number 20. Janet Jackson, the 51st Annual American Music Awards.
00:28The 2025 AMAs delivered a night of medleys, from J-Lo's sizzling opener to Gwen Stefani
00:34and Gloria Estefan's hit parade. But the real moment was Janet Jackson's return after
00:39seven years away from televised performances.
00:48She stepped back into the spotlight to collect her Icon Award and remind everyone why she
00:53has earned it ten times over. Singing Someone to Call My Lover and All for You,
00:57She lit up the stage like only Janet can.
01:07The whole thing felt like the story of her career, oozing with empowerment, control, and freedom.
01:14She later said she doesn't feel like an icon, but this performance says otherwise.
01:18And don't worry, this won't be Ms. Jackson's only appearance here.
01:22Number 19. Jennifer Lopez, the 43rd Annual American Music Awards.
01:39You might not know this, but J-Lo's first time on the AMA stage was in 1991 as a backup dancer
01:45for New Kids on the Block. Since then, she's delivered plenty of standout moments,
01:49like her Celia Cruz tribute.
01:59But none were as ambitious or iconic as her 2015 opening medley.
02:04She starts with Waiting for Tonight before launching into a rapid-fire dance tribute
02:08to the year's biggest hits, from Uptown Funk to Bad Blood to Thinking Out Loud.
02:12From Drake to Nikki to The Weeknd, she hit every beat with a level of stamina that should honestly
02:27be studied. In a snazzy bodysuit and heels, she turned the AMAs into a party. Now that's
02:33a glow-up.
02:41Number 18. Miley Cyrus, the 41st Annual American Music Awards.
02:46With a wild child personality like Miley Cyrus during her Bangers era, most came to expect
02:51from the singer an over-the-top performance full of sexual innuendo that was sure to leave
02:55jaws dropping.
03:04But at the 2013 AMAs, Miley chose to shock audiences by doing just the opposite, a simple performance
03:10that showcased her pipes.
03:12While standing in front of a screen with a giant lip-syncing kitten behind her, Miley
03:23belted out the heart-wrenching lyrics of Wrecking Ball, her ballad about a strained relationship.
03:28Besides the kitten, there weren't any theatrics, and Miley proved that above all else, she's
03:33a star because of her talent, not her antics.
03:46Number 17. Christina Aguilera, the 30th Annual American Music Awards.
03:51Xtina had officially shed the bubblegum image, and her AMAs appearance that year was a full-throttle
03:56declaration of her stripped era.
03:57Dressed to the nines with platinum waves and smoky eyes, she stood still while the vocals
04:18did all the heavy lifting, soaring, growling, and belting with zero backup dancers or distractions.
04:24It was sheer perfection from an artist who could have gone full spectacle but chose soul
04:28instead.
04:29Could any theatrics even hold a candle to her voice anyway?
04:32I am beautiful, no matter what they say.
04:37In a night full of flash, she reminded everyone that sometimes the boldest move is to simply
04:42stand there and sing your face off.
04:44It would be impossible to forget about this beautiful performance.
04:48Someone else, I'll try.
04:54Number 16. N.K.O.T. BSB, the 38th Annual American Music Awards.
04:59By the 2010s, boy bands seemed like a thing of the past.
05:13But that doesn't mean we turned down a performance from groups as legendary as the Backstreet Boys
05:17and New Kids on the Block.
05:18In their first televised performance together, the two groups gave audiences a taste of their
05:23boy band supergroup.
05:24With so many hits between them, they gave fans what they wanted, as they sang a medley
05:36including I Want It That Way and The Right Stuff.
05:39And they proved they still had their precise choreography down pat.
05:43The union of these two groups was the stuff of teenage dreams.
05:47Number 15. Mariah Carey, the 18th Annual American Music Awards.
06:06Mariah Carey is another artist who just doesn't need fanfare.
06:09Her voice is the show.
06:10In 1991, she was still a relatively fresh face in the biz, but her AMA's performance of
06:25Someday made it crystal clear.
06:27She was just as good live, if not better, than on her studio albums.
06:30With razor-sharp runs, sky-high belts, and those signature whistle notes, all delivered
06:36flawlessly, Carey showed off her vast range and impressive control.
06:40She brought confidence, and the kind of stage presence that doesn't need dancers or pyrotechnics
06:53to feel huge.
06:54And with one last whistle note, she had her mic drop moment.
06:57Not bad for a relative newcomer who was already performing like a legend.
07:01Number 14. Selena Gomez, the 42nd Annual American Music Awards.
07:17Sometimes a performance is more than a performance, and instead serves as an emotional catharsis
07:22for the artist.
07:23That was the case with Selena Gomez during the 2014 show.
07:26Hand over heart, I'm praying that I'm gonna make it out alive.
07:32Caught in an up-and-down, tabloid fodder of a relationship with Justin Bieber, Selena took
07:37to the stage in a stunning ballgown to perform her emotional ballad, The Heart Wants What It
07:41Wants.
07:42As the songstress sang, it was clear the emotions of the song got to her, and at times she was
07:55unable to sing as she fought not to tear up.
07:58The authenticity of the moment struck a chord with audiences, and it remains one of the
08:03show's most memorable moments.
08:04Number 13. Madonna and Babyface, the 22nd Annual American Music Awards.
08:17When you think of Madonna's performances, you probably picture theatrics, cone bras, and
08:21maybe some voguing.
08:23But at the 1995 AMAs, the Queen of Reinvention surprised everyone by doing the exact opposite
08:29and keeping things simple.
08:30And it was just stunning.
08:31Singing with Babyface, she performed the song Take a Bow as a quiet emotional duet.
08:42No dancers, no fancy moves, just the two of them side-by-side singing from the heart.
08:52It was a moment where the music and feelings took center stage, proving that sometimes less
08:58really is more.
08:59It felt honest and personal, showing a softer side of Madonna that many didn't expect.
09:05Stripped down, soulful, and quietly powerful.
09:14Number 12. BTS, the 45th Annual American Music Awards.
09:18There's no denying that BTS' 2020 performance will stay in our memories forever.
09:23However, their AMA debut in 2017 was an even bigger deal.
09:37It was the first time a K-pop group performed on that stage, and the first time their song
09:41DNA was performed live on US TV.
09:44Talk about huge!
09:45K-pop had officially arrived on the world stage, and it wasn't here to play.
09:57With electric energy, sharp dance moves, and dynamic staging, the seven members turned the
10:02stage into the BTS show, and everyone was hooked from start to finish.
10:06The crowd's roar said it all.
10:16This group always lights up the stage.
10:18It's almost as if performing is in their DNA.
10:20Number 11. Bruno Mars, the 44th Annual American Music Awards.
10:33When it comes to live performances, we always expect magic from Bruno Mars.
10:38Or should we say 24-karat magic?
10:39He's got that natural groove that makes everyone want to move.
10:51Don't believe us?
10:52Just watch the audience.
10:53They're vibing hard.
10:55Mars is effortlessly cool, and he's got the vocals to match.
10:59But it's the epic dance break that takes this performance to another level.
11:02It's sharp, controlled, smooth, and just ridiculously captivating.
11:09The way he and his dancers sink every move to the beat while making it look so effortless
11:18is phenomenal.
11:19Mars told us it was showtime, and he more than delivered.
11:32Number 10. Justin Bieber, the 43rd Annual American Music Awards.
11:392015 was a massive year for Justin off the strength of his Purpose album,
11:47and he gave the performance of a lifetime to showcase his recent hits.
11:51Singing a trio of songs, including Sorry, Justin showed that he still had the moves,
11:56as he and his backup dancers came on with the hard-hitting choreography.
11:59As they performed, rain poured down around them, making it that much more epic to watch
12:13as they hit their marks.
12:15Justin's vocals were angelic as always, and it really made for a dynamic performance.
12:20Yeah, is it too late now to say sorry?
12:25Cause I'm missing more than just your body.
12:30Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
12:38Pink may be known for her acrobatic performances now,
12:46but her 2012 performance of Try at the AMA's is what showed the world this hidden talent.
12:51Through an expertly choreographed contemporary style number,
12:54Pink and her male dance partner showcased a crumbling relationship as they fought in a decaying room.
13:08The physical performance showed off the singer's control as she sang while doing the intricate moves.
13:13She made swinging from a chandelier look easy as she danced in a burning room.
13:17The performance felt intimate and earned a standing ovation from the crowd.
13:34Number 8, Taylor Swift, the 42nd annual American Music Awards.
13:43During her 2014 appearance at the AMA's, Taylor brought the drama in the best way possible.
13:49In her first televised performance of Blank Space, Taylor embodied the man-eating character from the video.
13:55With a slightly crazed look in her eye, she shot down suitor after suitor, even poisoning one lover at the dinner table.
14:02So it's gonna be forever, or it's gonna go down and playin'.
14:07Taylor utilized the stage and her elaborate staging that mimicked the posh mansion in the video.
14:12It was clear she was having the time of her life, which made the performance all the more fun to watch.
14:17No wonder Swifties were so excited for her performance of I did something bad at the 2018 awards ceremony.
14:33Number 7, Britney Spears, the 28th annual American Music Awards.
14:47Britney is award show royalty, and for the AMA's, she gave us three consecutive years of pure fire, starting with this performance of Stronger.
14:56The princess of pop proved she could rock too. She had that fire in her step and a can't look away kind of magnetism.
15:10Every move said, now watch me, and the hair whips alone gave a second-hand whiplash.
15:15She danced like she knew the stage belonged to her, and she wasn't sharing. You could tell she was loving every second.
15:29Just when we thought she couldn't top it, she served vocals on I'm Not A Girl the next year, and blew us away with Me Against The Music the year after.
15:44Crown firmly intact, thank you very much.
15:55Number 6, Lady Gaga, the 37th annual American Music Awards.
16:00Gaga, ooh la la, what's your bad romance?
16:08Known for her theatrical performances, Lady Gaga did not disappoint at the 2009 ceremony.
16:14Starting off with her mega-hit Bad Romance, Gaga and her backup dancers, dressed in skeletal-like flesh-colored outfits, stomped and danced around the stage in a high-energy frenzy of choreography.
16:24Ending the song by using her microphone stand to break the glass surrounding the piano behind her, Gaga shifted to a more subdued, but equally awe-inspiring performance of her ballad, Speechless.
16:42The piano was literally on fire as she played, but that was secondary to the raw emotion in her soaring vocals.
16:54Number 5, Beyoncé, the 36th annual American Music Awards.
17:12Beyoncé is never a performer who phones it in, but somehow she still manages to top herself each time.
17:26Her 2008 appearance at the AMAs to perform single ladies is one of those times the Beehive is still talking about today.
17:37With the expertly executed choreography, Bey and her two backing dancers gave such a high-intensity performance as they moved across the stage.
17:44The three women were perfectly in sync, and kept all eyes on them.
17:56Beyoncé hit all the highs, and there definitely were not any low points in this performance.
18:01Number 4, Janet Jackson, the 14th annual American Music Awards.
18:13This was Janet's chance to take control, and she made it count.
18:17Breaking away from her family's legacy, she stepped out on that stage and claimed her spot as a music powerhouse.
18:22She moved like a machine with soul, tight, clean, and commanding, never losing the audience for even a beat.
18:37Every move hit hard, every look was fierce, and the confidence was off the charts.
18:42She was here to make a statement, and everyone felt it.
18:45This is the kind of number that likely sparked water cooler conversations everywhere, and set the gold standard for what a live performance could be.
18:59Janet was stepping into her power, and we were witnessing the rise of an icon.
19:04Number 3, Whitney Houston, the 21st annual American Music Awards.
19:24On the same night Whitney took home a record eight trophies, she gave an absolutely show-stopping performance.
19:31Singing a medley of songs including I Have Nothing, Whitney gave it her all as she belted out each one.
19:37I have nothing, nothing, nothing, if I don't have you.
19:48With just the backing band behind her, it was a spotlight for her voice, and a testament to her star power.
19:54Culminating in a moment for the ages, Whitney showed that her talent was second to none.
19:59As not many performers, dead or alive, can capture the crowd the way she did.
20:15Number 2, Michael Jackson, the 20th annual American Music Awards.
20:20We know, we know, how does anyone choose just one MJ performance?
20:24But we decided to live on the dangerous side and single one out.
20:28Hey, we've gotta give everyone else a shot too, right?
20:30Still, this one was something else.
20:32And don't you pretend you never did me before
20:36With tears in her eyes and my baby walked out the door
20:40The choreography is so next level, it's like every limb, no, every joint has its own control panel.
20:46MJ leads the crew with this impossible mix of precision and fluidity, hitting every beat like he's possessed by the music.
20:52And the control, whether going full out or hitting clean counts, is powerful enough to send chills moonwalking through your body.
21:06Who needs flashy sets when you've got moves like that?
21:09It wasn't just dangerous, it was untouchable. Still is.
21:21Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.
21:23Megan Thee Stallion, the 48th annual American Music Awards.
21:27Her performance served so much body-oddy-oddy that it practically needed its own dressing room.
21:38Adam Lambert, the 37th annual American Music Awards.
21:42Take note folks, that's how you make a debut.
21:51NSYNC, the 27th annual American Music Awards.
21:54NSYNC pulled out all the stops and the strings for this performance.
22:04Psy and MC Hammer, the 40th annual American Music Awards.
22:08The collaboration we didn't know we wanted until this very moment.
22:19Ariana Grande, the 43rd annual American Music Awards.
22:22A performance that put her vocals in full focus.
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22:48Number 1, Prince and the Revolution, the 12th annual American Music Awards.
22:54There are artists and there are performers.
23:00And then there are those who manage to transcend both of those labels to become legends like the sorely missed Prince.
23:06During the 1985 telecast of the ceremony, Prince and his backing band The Revolution took to the stage to perform Purple Rain, the now iconic hit song.
23:24Prince gave one of the show's most memorable performances as he wowed the audience with his vocals and lengthy guitar solo at the song's end.
23:32It's not often that you witness an awards show crowd as transfixed as they were during a set.
23:42But this is one of those magical moments any artist would love to replicate.
23:46Which AMA performance would you give the top spot to?
24:00Let us know in the comments.
24:02This show is over.
24:04Say goodbye.
24:06This show is over.
24:08Say goodbye.
24:10This show is over.
24:12Say goodbye.
24:14Cause I was young.
24:16Time to do.
24:18I have aRETTY.
24:20Followed.
24:22Do.
24:24It's a leans.
24:26It's extremely easy.
24:28No one wants to do than do a alpha.
24:30Can you have a try?
24:32Uh, I know, be a good.
24:34How would the sound of a happy house actually come and make a neful figure Ilined?
24:38Alright, let's watch my ambiguity.
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