While the 2025 American Music Awards had plenty of celebrated (and somewhat controversial) moments, it was a wonderful night for humble megastar Janet Jackson. The singer was honored with the ICON Award — with her being only the third artist to ever receive it — and she accepted it with her signature grace, but not before delivering a showstopping performance with two jams from her All For You era.
Janet kicked off the performance with “Someone To Call My Lover,” her 2001 hit that went viral on social media in recent months after younger generations rediscovered the bop. Flanked by five dancers and dressed head-to-toe in Vetements, she breezed through the choreography while the audience cheered and clapped along. She then surprised everyone by incorporating a bit of Mariah Carey’s “Shake It Off” before wrapping the song up on the bridge.
That then led to her major hit “All For You.” Janet commanded her way through that performance as well, never missing a step or a beat as she worked it out on stage. She even made time for the song’s signature breakdown (which incorporates a few of her other hits in the process) before striking a pose with her dancers to signify her own version of a mic-drop moment.
The singer then approached her speech with the humility that we’ve come to know from her. Reflecting on her family and upbringing, she spoke about her story and what it took to get there.
“I am so honored and so grateful. I mean, no disrespect in any way, but I don’t consider myself an icon,” she told the crowd. “My family, myself, our dream was to… It wasn’t ever to be famous, we weren’t always like that. We always had a special love for music, dancing and singing. Fame came with the result of hard work and dedication.”
Whether she considers herself to be an icon or not, Janet will forever be our queen. Watch her do it like only she can, and watch her accept the ICON Award below. And, if you haven't already, be sure to book tickets to the September run of her Janet Jackson: Las Vegas residency before they sell out.
