Jennifer Lopez Recalls Her First American Music Awards Performance as Show Celebrates 50 Years: 'The Energy Was Electric'

Jennifer Lopez recalls some of her most memorable experiences at the 50th anniversary of the American Music Awards.

During American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special on Sunday, October 6, Lopez, 55, was overcome with nostalgia during recorded interview as she shared her fondest memories of appearing at the AMAs many times over the years. She began by reflecting on the landmark anniversary and how she watched the show as a child with big dreams.

“It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? Fifty years of the American Music Awards. I remember watching them at home when I was a little girl,” she said, before recalling her first appearance at the event in 2001.

“What?” she said with a laugh as a flashback of her performance from that year flashed on the screen. “It was so long ago – but the energy in the room was very electrifying.”

Lopez — who wore a pink silk blouse with a bow for the segment — then recalled the moment in 2011 when she won Favorite Latin Female Artist. “Winning a fan-voted award is incredibly special because it comes directly from the people you make music for. It’s just a humbling experience,” she said of the honor.

Elsewhere in her interview, the “Can’t Get Enough” singer reflected on her time as host of ceremonies in 2015, calling the role “a huge honor” and nodding to her many wardrobe changes throughout the night.

“I decided that I would change every time I came there [onstage]”, she explained. “We made this dance mashup to all these amazing songs from that year, and I wanted everyone to feel that love and energy.”

Then she teased, “Maybe I’ll do it again sometime. Who knows?”

Lopez also took a moment to reflect on the power of music. “Music truly has the power to heal and lift us up and connect us, and the AMAs have been showing that for half a century,” she said, adding, “I’m excited for the next 50 years of music — and magic.”

Jennifer Lopez at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6.

Emma McIntyre/Getty

American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special Announcement, Additional Performers and Guests: See the Lineup

The singer’s AMAs cameo in “This Is Me… Now” came amid her rise from Ben Affleck.

The couple was recently spotted out to lunch together at the Polo Lounge inside the Beverly Hills Hotel on September 14 with Affleck’s children Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12, and Lopez’s 16-year-old twins, Max and Emme. The meeting took place less than a month after Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck, 52.

The source is close Unstoppable the actress previously told PEOPLE that she and Accountant star are “still moving forward with their divorce” despite their friendly outing, as they are “still focused on the kids.”

Lopez arrives at the Road to Golden Globes party on September 7.

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Other special guests at the 50th Anniversary Special — held in lieu of the usual American Music Awards to commemorate the show’s 50 years — include Carrie Underwood, who has won 17 career AMAs, multiple honoree Gloria Estefan, and five-time AMA host Jimmy Kimmel.

The broadcast will also welcome special appearances from Reba McEntire, actor Samuel L. Jackson, Kate Hudson, Backstreet Boys alumnus AJ McLean, Cedric the Entertainer, *NSYNC member Lance Bass and Smokey Robinson.

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Brad Paisley, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Green Day, Jennifer Hudson, Kane Brown, Mariah Carey, RAYE and Stray Kids are set to perform.

CBS called the special “an evening celebrating half a century of groundbreaking music, iconic moments, unforgettable performances and rich pop culture history.” This is the first AMAs event since the ceremony last aired in November 2022. The regular AMAs have been postponed and will air in May 2025.

The American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+ (Live for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers) at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 AM PT on October 6.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education