Jennifer Lopez delivered a sizzling, show-stopping opening performance at the 2025 American Music Awards on Monday night, reminding audiences why she remains one of pop culture’s most electrifying performers. The global superstar set the stage ablaze with a six-minute dance medley featuring 23 of the year’s hottest songs—and yes, a steamy make-out session with her backup dancers.

Returning as the AMAs host for the first time since 2015, Lopez made her grand entrance with a cinematic performance that transported viewers into a high-octane musical multiverse. Opening with a slowed-down rendition of her 2012 hit “Dance Again,” the Bronx-born icon eased audiences into what quickly became one of the most talked-about performances of the night.

A Tribute to the Year’s Biggest Bangers

The high-energy medley took fans on a whirlwind journey through 2025’s biggest chart-toppers. Lopez moved effortlessly across genres, dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s gritty “Squabble Up,” Doechii’s soul-stirring “Denial Is a River,” and the viral sensation “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey. Her performance also included Bruno Mars and Rosé’s TikTok-fueled “APT,” which had the audience on their feet and fans across social media scrambling to recreate the choreography.

Midway through the set, Lopez turned up the heat with a sensual mash-up of Chappell Roan’s queer-pop anthems “Hot to Go!” and “Good Luck, Babe!”—both LGBTQ+ favorites that have dominated dance floors and gay bars all year long. Wearing a glittering, custom-designed catsuit, Lopez fanned herself dramatically while strutting across the stage, clearly in tune with Roan’s sultry, self-empowered lyrics.

She then paid tribute to musical icons Billie Eilish and Beyoncé with a nod to “Birds of a Feather” and the country-tinged “Texas Hold ’Em,” before closing the segment with a gravity-defying dance break set to Bad Bunny’s reggaeton club hit “NuevaYol.” The moment channeled “Dancing with the Stars” meets underground vogue ballroom—flips, dips, and high kicks included.

A Queer-Inclusive Kiss-Off

In one of the night’s most headline-making moments, Lopez leaned into her “nasty” side. As Teddy Swims’ hit ballad “Lose Control” played, Lopez shared passionate onstage kisses with multiple backup dancers of all genders, in a clear nod to inclusivity and self-expression. The kisses weren’t just for shock value—they emphasized the diversity of love, identity, and sensuality at the core of Lopez’s performance ethos.

Lopez then transitioned into Tinashe’s bold and unapologetic “Nasty,” grinding and gliding across the stage as pyrotechnics exploded behind her. The performance wrapped up with an explosive mash-up of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and the buzzy track “TV Off,” as the camera zoomed in on Lopez striking a triumphant pose, glowing under the lights.

A Legacy of Pop Performance Excellence

“I had to kick things off by turning it up to the biggest songs of the year and dancing my heart out for all of you,” Lopez told the star-studded crowd as the performance ended. “But tonight, the spotlight belongs to you, because this is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, where you decide the winners.”

Lopez added that the 2025 American Music Awards saw a record-breaking number of votes, underscoring the dedication of fans across the globe.

This year marks a full-circle moment for Lopez, who last hosted the AMAs a decade ago in 2015. Her previous hosting gig also included a jaw-dropping dance medley, featuring hits like Beyoncé’s “7/11,” Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” and Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen.” But 2025’s opening performance proves that the multi-hyphenate entertainer has only gotten bolder, more fearless, and more inclusive.