The whispers turned to roars when what fans have been desperately awaiting – Janet Jackson is returning to television. After a seven-year absence from the small screen, your patience will finally be rewarded when the icon takes the AMA stage on May 26, 2025. This performance isn’t just another celebrity appearance; it represents a significant moment for an artist whose cultural significance spans generations.
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you’ve likely encountered the unexpected resurgence of “Someone to Call My Lover.” The 2001 hit has found new life among Gen Z creators, catapulting back onto the Billboard charts at No. 3 on the R&B digital songs chart. This revival demonstrates exactly how Jackson’s music continues to resonate across age groups despite the ever-shifting landscape of digital platforms and shortened attention spans.
Jackson’s achievements speak volumes about her lasting impact in the music industry. She has garnered 11 American Music Awards already, along with five Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards. Her global influence is further highlighted by over 180 million albums sold worldwide, making her one of the few artists to achieve a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 across four consecutive decades.
Jackson’s Las Vegas residency, which began in December 2024, will continue with six shows from May 21-31 at Resorts World Theatre. The strategic scheduling around the AMAs appearance places Jackson firmly in the spotlight during this period, connecting her live performances with this significant television moment.
What makes Jackson’s continued relevance particularly noteworthy is her pioneering approach to artistic control. When “Control” dropped in 1986, it made history as the first album by a woman to produce five top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, shattering expectations for female artists at the time.
Her follow-up album “Rhythm Nation 1814” achieved another remarkable feat, becoming the only album to yield seven top-five charting songs on the Billboard Hot 100. These statistics aren’t just numbers – they represent groundbreaking achievements that changed the music industry’s expectations for female artists.
Just as Paul Simon’s recently announced “A Quiet Celebration” theater tour marks his return from retirement with intimate performances, Jackson’s reemergence on television represents a significant moment for fans who’ve waited years to see her perform on a national broadcast.
For fans of Jackson’s live performances, her return to television offers a glimpse of what audiences have been experiencing during her recent “Together Again” tour. The tour has seen multiple sell-outs in North America, celebrating the 50th anniversary of her family’s musical debut and 40 years since her solo career began.
Streaming data reveals Jackson’s enduring popularity extends beyond live performances. Following her Nashville performance in May 2024, streaming of “The Velvet Rope” rose 35% on Spotify, demonstrating how her visibility drives renewed interest in her extensive catalog.
The 2025 AMAs broadcast will air live from the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Memorial Day, delivering what promises to be one of the year’s most talked-about music television moments. The awards will air at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+, with fans able to participate in the voting process until the deadline. Set your calendar alerts now – this is one performance you won’t want to miss.
