Staff Reports
The 2025 American Music Awards showcased a cavalcade of familiar names and some surprise additions, but it also served as a glaring reminder of where the state of pop culture is heading. One standout moment involved the ever-controversial Gwen Stefani, who was flanked by Rod Stewart, and a newcomer named Keelani, who seemingly took the stage straight from a middle school art project. With tattoos of key facts and clip art sprawled across her skin, Keelani resembled a human scrapbook, raising the question: is this what we’ve become?
The night’s proceedings were helmed by Jennifer Lopez, an actress and musician whose hosting gig might be more indicative of her career’s current trajectory than a smart choice for the AMAs. Lopez kicked off the evening with a medley of the year’s biggest hits, complemented by a performance that involved kissing a trio of dancers, both male and female. While some may applaud this as audacious, it almost feels like a desperate attempt to cling to relevance. If true boldness is the aim, perhaps JLo should consider introducing her third marriage to the mix—now that would certainly grab attention.
In the broader cultural landscape, what’s being presented on awards shows like this can hardly be dismissed as mere entertainment. These flashy antics reflect a recurring theme in Hollywood: the overt use of sexuality as a marketing tool. Sadly, this trend isn’t novel. Take a look at pop icons like Madonna, who for decades has relied on shock value and queerbaiting to maintain her place in the spotlight. It’s a tactic that raises eyebrows but often neglects substance.
The allure of this kind of performance art is not lost on younger audiences. However, real-life implications come into play when artists like Harry Styles parade in dresses and declare themselves “queer” while maintaining romantic ties to an array of beautiful women. Is this truly a celebration of gender and sexual fluidity, or just a carefully crafted persona to sell more records? The irony strikes hard when these declarations may not reflect genuinely lived experiences but merely serve the performance of a convenient identity.
Ultimately, the American Music Awards may offer entertainment value, but they also illuminate a more troubling truth about modern pop culture. The need to rely on shock tactics instead of genuine artistry might lead us down a slippery slope, where authenticity is sacrificed for the next viral moment. As America watches its celebrities, one can’t help but wonder if the glamour of the night overshadows deeper connections in music and culture. Perhaps what’s needed isn’t more flash but artists who can convey meaningful messages, leading to a richer cultural landscape in the years to come.
