This puts the 2025 AMAs in a whole class of their own all on its own! The legendary Janet Jackson superstar will be bestowed with the Icon award, and also get to do her first American televised performance in seven years. SEVEN. YEARS. The show will air on Memorial Day, Monday, the 26th on CBS and Paramount+; therefore, how can anyone NOT tune in?
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This is huge. Janet has not done a TV performance since her Billboard Music Awards medley in 2018, which was iconic, let’s be real. Since the 80s, she has made massive contributions to the building of pop culture, and the fact she is still worthy of receiving honors is telling of the unstoppable force that she remains. ARAs calling her one of the most influential entertainers of the modern era is not just talk.
Speaking of reactions, the internet went literally nuts!
Fam, TC was nice with the wholesome vibes: “A wonderful birthday gift for Janet, whose birthday is May 16.” JRockij101 was in full hype mode, declaring Janet THE GREATEST LIVING PERFORMER, encouraging her to show “these girls how it’s done!!”
Kevy Kev captured perfectly why this moment is important: “50+ years in the industry and still being honored, that’s what an Icon is.” Then Kevy Kev said she’d “snatch” everything—everything outfit-wise, choreography-wise, wig-wise—just strip it all away. And honestly? I believe it.
Reactions were not just cheering. A request came in from TonyTokaATL, “Her Team and her need to drop a new single rn!! Now is the time please dont let this opportunity pass by!” Such desperation, y’all. In the meanwhile, Gg was all in for the dream medley and insisted “SOMEONE TO CALL MY LOVER” better be there.
Of course, a few chose to drag other artists in this. Ameya Vivek Arondekar started light shade suggesting Beyonce should honor Janet but “doubt it’ll happen as she’s on tour.” Oop.
HE_IS_SUPERIOR continues their winning streak for chaotic energy, screaming “JANET!!!, LOOK INTO MY EYES!!!!!!!” to a gif of…well, something intense. We’re not quite sure what’s going on there, but the passion? Admirable.
What’s bizarre is how many people genuinely had no idea how long it had been screaming since she last performed on TV. Kevin S’s mouth dropped open: “Omg. Really janet to perform on tv omg 😲 this is a long time coming wow im excited.” Same, Kevin, same.
And we cannot forget NotSure4727: “The older I get, the more I appreciate the work you did to make it look easy & the fun you have given to us, the audience!” That’s just it about Janet-her impact is wrapped around generations.
No word on what management has up their sleeves just yet, but if it’s Janet, then big things can be expected. Career-spanning medley? Possibly. Surprise new single? Let’s hope so. Something physically demanding that half of us will be asking for a tutorial on walking again? Or all of the above?
Whatever happens, May 26 will remain in history. So do not miss this if you’ve been watching Janet ever since “Control” or if you only know her as the aunt that made “Rhythm Nation” a TikTok trend. The AMAs went up a level and are so blessed to witness it.
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Pardon us while we go back to watching this BMMA 2018 performance on loop till May!