Janet Jackson is getting the recognition she deserves—again.
The legendary performer will receive the prestigious ICON Award at the 2025 American Music Awards, airing live from Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Monday, May 26. Not only that, but fans will also get to see her light up the stage with a highly anticipated performance—her first TV performance since 2018.
The ICON Award is one of the AMAs’ highest honors, given to artists whose impact on global music and culture is undeniable. Janet, 58, joins an elite group of honorees: Rihanna, who received the award in 2013, and Lionel Richie, who took it home in 2022.
With a career spanning more than four decades, Janet Jackson’s influence on pop and R&B is hard to overstate. From “Control” and “Rhythm Nation” to “That’s the Way Love Goes” and “All for You,” she’s shaped the sound and style of generations of artists.
This latest accolade celebrates Janet not only as a chart-topping hitmaker but as a true cultural force. The AMAs describe the ICON Award as recognizing “artists whose music has had undeniable cultural and global influence over the music industry,” and honestly—who fits that description better than Janet?
Fans can also look forward to Jennifer Lopez pulling double duty as both host and performer during the broadcast. The show kicks off live at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBS, and will also be available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
For those who want to be there in person, tickets are already on sale via Ticketmaster.
Janet’s return to the stage comes at a moment when her legacy is being celebrated more than ever. In recent years, she’s headlined festivals, reissued classic albums, and continued to advocate for social change—all while reminding us of her unmatched presence in the music world.
