Lopez reminiscing about her first AMA performance during the 50th Anniversary Special.
Jennifer Lopez recently took a trip down memory lane during the American Music Awards’ 50th Anniversary Special, reflecting on her history with the show.
The event aired on Sunday, October 6, and featured Lopez in a taped interview sharing some of her favorite moments from the AMAs throughout the years.
Now 55, Lopez fondly remembered watching the show as a young girl with dreams of becoming a star. “It’s pretty incredible, right? Fifty years of the American Music Awards. I remember watching them at home when I was a little girl,” Lopez said.
She then recalled her first time performing at the AMAs back in 2001, reflecting on the excitement of the experience. “What?” Lopez said with a laugh as footage of her 2001 performance played. “It was so long ago — but the energy in the room was very electric.”
In addition to her performance memories, Lopez also looked back on the night in 2011 when she won the award for Favorite Latin Artist. She highlighted how much it meant to her because the award was fan-voted.
“Winning a fan-voted award is incredibly special because it’s directly from the people that you make the music for,” Lopez said. “It’s just a humbling experience.”
The singer, who wore a pink silk blouse for the segment, also reminisced about her time hosting the AMAs in 2015. She called it “a huge honor” and remembered the numerous wardrobe changes she made throughout the night, wanting to bring energy to every performance.
“We did this dance medley to all of these amazing songs from that year, and I wanted everyone to feel that love and energy,” Lopez explained.
She also teased the idea of returning to host again someday, saying, “Maybe I’ll do it again one day. Who knows?”
Lopez’s reflection on the AMAs wasn’t just about her personal experiences. She also shared her thoughts on the importance of music itself.
“Music really does have the power to heal and uplift and to connect us, and the AMAs have been showcasing that for half a century now,” Lopez said, expressing her excitement for what the next 50 years of music will bring.
This interview came at a time of personal change for Lopez, who is currently going through a split from actor Ben Affleck. The two were recently spotted together with their children at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills, just weeks after Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck.
A source close to the couple confirmed that they are still moving forward with the separation but are staying focused on their children.
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In addition to Lopez’s appearance, the American Music Awards’ 50th Anniversary Special featured several other notable guests and performances.
Carrie Underwood, Gloria Estefan, and five-time host Jimmy Kimmel made special appearances, while performances came from a star-studded lineup, including Brad Paisley, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Green Day, Jennifer Hudson, Kane Brown, and Mariah Carey.
CBS has described the event as “an evening celebrating half a century of groundbreaking music, iconic moments, unforgettable performances, and rich pop culture history.”
This special broadcast took the place of the usual American Music Awards ceremony, which has been rescheduled to air in May 2025.
Fans could catch the special live on CBS or stream it on Paramount+, where it was available for both live and on-demand viewing. The night was a tribute to the show’s legacy and a celebration of the impact music has had on fans and artists alike over the past five decades.
