AMAs 2025: Where Did All the Stars Go?
The American Music Awards have always leaned on their fan-voted format, setting them apart from industry-judged ceremonies. But this year, the AMAs couldn’t escape one glaring issue: the absence of just about every top-tier celebrity you’d expect on the guest list. Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar—these aren’t just any nominees. They practically define pop culture right now. Their decision to stay home had fans and critics scratching their heads, and the phrase 'embarrassing mess' started trending well before the final trophy was handed out.
Fans took to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, not to celebrate the winners, but to question whether the AMAs still matter if nobody’s actually showing up. When artists like Taylor Swift and BTS once built their legacies on AMAs wins—Taylor’s record seven Artist of the Year nods set a high bar—you can’t help but notice the shift. This year, both Swift and BTS were missing from the seats and the stage. Billie Eilish reportedly outright refused to attend, and Kendrick Lamar didn’t make an appearance either. Even viral acts like Chappell Roan joined the list of prominent names who skipped the event. For a show that’s always touted fan engagement as its backbone, the lack of fan favorites in the building said it all.
What’s Up With the Fan-Voted Format?
The anti-climax didn’t just start on red carpet night. If you’ve scrolled through the AMAs official Instagram or caught any promos on Paramount+, you’ll see the show clinging to their identity: this is the fan-voted awards show, where listeners—not industry insiders—have their say. In theory, that should guarantee excitement and connection with stars. But in 2025, that concept backfired. With so many artists skipping out, fans wondered if their involvement carried any real weight. Who wants to vote if their favorite won’t even accept an award?
Still, the AMAs did their best to maintain the illusion of business as usual. Host segments and video montages paid tribute to legends like Reba McEntire (with 11 wins in country categories) and lauded R&B trailblazers like Beyoncé and Rihanna, who each have seven wins. Those numbers sound impressive, but they also underline the nostalgia vibe that hung over the night. The ceremony flirted with past glories, while the present felt like a ghost town.
Why the mass exodus? Some industry insiders have whispered about 'award show fatigue,' or frustration over the rapid boom in streaming and voting irregularities. Maybe some stars just don’t see the AMAs as a must-attend event anymore. Others point out that with more artists bypassing the show, even major performers like Justin Bieber are now giving it a pass. It’s hard to keep up excitement when the headlines are about empty chairs rather than sensational performances or breakout moments.
The debate isn’t going away soon. The AMAs' brand might live or die by fan involvement, but in the end, you really need stars to make a show shine. And for 2025, the biggest story was who didn’t show up.
