Top 20 Best American Music Awards Performances

51st Annual American Music Awards (2025)

The 2025 AMAs delivered a night of medleysfrom JLos sizzling opener to Gwen Stefani and Gloria Estefans hit parade. But the real moment was Janet Jacksons return after seven years away from televised performances. She stepped back into the spotlight to collect her Icon Award and remind everyone why shes earned it ten times over. Singing Someone to Call My Lover and All For You, she lit up the stage like only Janet can. The whole thing felt like the story of her career, oozing with empowerment, control, and freedom. She later said she doesnt feel like an icon, but this performance says otherwise. And dont worrythis wont be Ms Jacksons only appearance here.

43rd Annual American Music Awards (2015)

You might not know this, but J.Los first time on the AMA stage was in 1991 as a backup dancer for New Kids on the Block. Since then, shes delivered plenty of standout moments, like her Celia Cruz tribute. But none were as ambitious, or iconic, as her 2015 opening medley. She starts with Waiting for Tonight before launching into a rapid-fire dance tribute to the years biggest hits, from Uptown Funk to Bad Blood to Thinking Out Loud. From Drake to Nicki to The Weeknd, she hit every beat with a level of stamina that should honestly be studied. In a snazzy bodysuit and heels, she turned the AMAs into a party. Now thats a glow-up.

41st Annual American Music Awards (2013)

With a wild-child personality like Miley Cyrus during her Bangerz era, most came to expect from the singer an over-the-top performance full of sexual innuendo that was sure to leave jaws dropping. But at the 2013 AMAs, Miley chose to shock audiences by doing just the opposite: a simple performance that showcased her pipes. While standing in front of a screen with a giant lip-synching kitten behind her, Miley belted out the heart-wrenching lyrics of Wrecking Ball, her ballad about a strained relationship. Besides the kitten, there werent any theatrics and Miley proved that above all else shes a star because of her talent, not her antics.

30th Annual American Music Awards (2003)

Xtina had officially shed the bubblegum image, and her AMAs appearance that year was a full-throttle declaration of her Stripped era. Dressed to the nines with platinum waves and smoky eyes, she stood still while the vocals did all the heavy liftingsoaring, growling, and belting with zero backup dancers or distractions. It was sheer perfection from an artist who couldve gone full spectacle but chose soul instead. Could any theatrics even hold a candle to her voice anyway? In a night full of flash, she reminded everyone that sometimes the boldest move is to simply stand there and sing your face off. It would be Impossible to forget about this Beautiful performance.

38th Annual American Music Awards (2010)

By the 2010s, boy bands seemed like a thing of the past - but that doesnt mean wed turn down a performance from groups as legendary as the Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block. In their first televised performance together, the two groups gave audiences a taste of their boy band supergroup. With so many hits between them, they gave fans what they wanted as they sang a medley including I Want It That Way and The Right Stuff. And they proved they still had their precise choreography down pat. The union of the two groups was the stuff of teenage dreams.

18th Annual American Music Awards (1991)

Mariah Carey is another artist who doesnt need fanfare. Her voice is the show. In 1991, she was still a relatively fresh face in the biz, but her AMAs performance of Someday made it crystal clear: she was just as good live, if not better, than on her studio albums. With razor-sharp runs, sky-high belts, and those signature whistle notes, all delivered flawlessly, Carey showed off her vast range and impressive control. She brought confidence, and the kind of stage presence that doesnt need dancers or pyrotechnics to feel huge. And with one last whistle note, she had her mic drop moment. Not bad for a relative newcomer who was already performing like a legend.

42nd Annual American Music Awards (2014)

Sometimes a performance is more than a performance and instead serves as an emotional catharsis for the artist. That was the case with Selena Gomez during the 2014 show. Caught in an up-and-down, tabloid fodder of a relationship with Justin Bieber, Selena took to the stage in a stunning ball gown to perform her emotional ballad, The Heart Wants What It Wants. As the songstress sang, it was clear the emotions of the song got to her and at times she was unable to sing as she fought not to tear up. The authenticity of the moment struck a chord with audiences, and it remains one of the shows most memorable moments.

22nd Annual American Music Awards (1995)

When you think of Madonnas performances, you probably picture theatrics, cone bras, and maybe some voguing. But at the 1995 AMAs, the queen of reinvention surprised everyone by doing the exact opposite and keeping things simple. And it was just stunning. Singing with Babyface, she performed the song Take a Bow as a quiet, emotional duet. No dancers, no fancy movesjust the two of them side by side, singing from the heart. It was a moment where the music and feelings took center stage, proving that sometimes less really is more. It felt honest and personal, showing a softer side of Madonna that many didnt expect: stripped down, soulful, and quietly powerful.

45th Annual American Music Awards (2017)

Theres no denying that BTSs 2020 performance will stay in our memories forever. However, their AMA debut in 2017 was an even bigger dealit was the first time a K-pop group performed on that stage and the first time their song DNA was performed live on U.S. TV. Talk about huge! K-pop had officially arrived on the world stageand it wasnt here to play. With electric energy, sharp dance moves, and dynamic staging, the seven members turned the stage into the BTS show, and everyone was hooked from start to finish. The crowds roar said it all. This group always lights up the stage; its almost as if performing is in their DNA.

44th Annual American Music Awards (2016)

When it comes to live performances, we always expect magic from Bruno Mars. Or should we say 24K Magic? Hes got that natural groove that makes everyone want to move. Dont believe us? Just watch the audiencetheyre vibing hard. Mars is effortlessly cool, and hes got the vocals to match. But its the epic dance break that takes this performance to another level. Its sharp, controlled, smooth, and just ridiculously captivating. The way he and his dancers sync every move to the beat while making it look so effortless is phenomenal. Mars told us it was showtime, and he more than delivered.

43rd Annual American Music Awards (2015)

2015 was a massive year for Justin off of the strength of his Purpose album, and he gave the performance of a lifetime to showcase his recent hits. Singing a trio of songs, including Sorry, Justin showed that he still had the moves as he and his backup dancers came on with the hard-hitting choreography. As they performed, rain poured down around them, making it that much more epic to watch as they hit their marks. Justins vocals were angelic as always, and it really made for a dynamic performance.

40th Annual American Music Awards (2012)

Pink may be known for her acrobatic performances now, but her 2012 performance of Try at the AMAs is what showed the world this hidden talent. Through an expertly choreographed contemporary style number, Pink and her male dance partner showcased a crumbling relationship as they fought in a decaying room. The physical performance showed off the singers control as she sang while doing the intricate moves. She made swinging from a chandelier look easy as she danced in a burning room. The performance felt intimate and earned her a standing ovation from the crowd.

42nd Annual American Music Awards (2014)

During her 2014 appearance at the AMAs, Taylor brought the drama in the best possible way. In her first televised performance of Blank Space, Taylor embodied the man-eating character from the video. With a slightly crazed look in her eye, she shot down suitor after suitor, even poisoning one lover at the dinner table. Taylor utilized the stage and her elaborate staging that mimicked the posh mansion in the video. It was clear she was having the time of her life, which made the performance all the more fun to watch. No wonder Swifties were so excited for her performance of I Did Something Bad at the 2018 award ceremony.

28th Annual American Music Awards (2001)

Britney is award show royalty, and for the AMAs, she gave us three consecutive years of pure fire, starting with this performance of Stronger. The Princess of Pop proved she could rock, too. She had that fire in her step and a cant-look-away kind of magnetism. Every move said, Now watch me, and the hair whips alone gave us secondhand whiplash. She danced like she knew the stage belonged to her, and she wasnt sharing. You could tell she was loving every second. Just when we thought she couldnt top it, she served vocals on Im Not a Girl the next year and blew us away with Me Against the Music the year after. Crown firmly intact, thank you very much.

37th Annual American Music Awards (2009)

Known for her theatrical performances, Lady Gaga didnt disappoint at the 2009 ceremony. Starting 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. Ending 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. The piano was literally on fire as she played, but it was secondary to the raw emotion in her soaring vocals.

36th Annual American Music Awards (2008)

Beyoncé is never a performer who phones it in, but somehow she still manages to top herself each time. Her 2008 appearance at the AMAs to perform Single Ladies is one of those times the Beyhive is still talking about today. With the expertly executed choreography, Bey and her two backing dancers gave such a high intensity performance as they moved across the stage. The three women were perfectly in-sync and kept all eyes on them. Beyoncé hit all the highs, and there definitely werent any low points in this performance.

14th Annual American Music Awards (1987)

This was Janets chance to take Control, and she made it count. Breaking away from her familys legacy, she stepped out on that stage and claimed her spot as a music powerhouse. She moved like a machine with soul, tight, clean, and commanding, never losing the audience for even a beat. Every move hit hard, every look was fierce, and the confidence was off the charts. She was here to make a statement, and everyone felt it. This is the kind of number that likely sparked watercooler conversations everywhere and set the gold standard for what a live performance could be. Janet was stepping into her power, and we were witnessing the rise of an icon.

21st Annual American Music Awards (1994)

On the same night Whitney took home a record 8 trophies, she gave an absolutely show-stopping performance. Singing a medley of songs, including I Have Nothing, Whitney gave it her all as she belted out each one. With just the backing band behind her, it was a spotlight for her voice and a testament to her star power, accumulating to a moment for the ages. Whitney showed that her talent was second to none as not many performers, dead or alive, can capture the crowd the way she did.

20th Annual American Music Awards (1993)

We know, we knowhow does anyone choose just one MJ performance? But we decided to live on the Dangerous side and single one out (hey, weve gotta give everyone else a shot too, right?). Still, this one was something else. The choreography is so next-level; its like every limbno, every jointhas its own control panel. MJ leads the crew with this impossible mix of precision and fluidity, hitting every beat like hes possessed by the music. And the control, whether going full out or hitting clean counts, is powerful enough to send chills moonwalking through your body. Who needs flashy sets when youve got moves like that? It wasnt just dangerous. It was untouchable. Still is.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Her Performance Served So Much Body-Ody-Ody that It Practically Needed Its Own Dressing Room

Take Note, Folks, Thats How You Make a Debut

NSYNC Pulled Out All the Stops (& the Strings) for This Performance

The Collaboration We Didnt Know We Wanted Until This Very Moment

Sources: broll

A Performance That Put Her Vocals in Full Focus

12th Annual American Music Awards (1985)

There are artists and there are performers. And there are those who manage to transcend both of those labels to become legends like the sorely missed, Prince. During 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. Prince gave one of the shows most memorable performances as he wowed the audience with his vocals and lengthy guitar solo at the songs end. Its not often that you witness an awards show crowd as transfixed as they were during his set, but this is one of those magical moments any artist would love to replicate.

Which AMA performance would you give the top spot to? Let us know in the comments