Jennifer Lopez made her first major public appearance since she filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, as she appeared in a prerecorded segment Sunday at the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special.
The actress-singer, 55, said in the segment that she had childhood memories of watching the award show, inspiring her on her path to international superstardom.
‘It’s pretty incredible, right?’ the perennial A-lister said. ‘Fifty years of the American Music Awards. I remember watching them at home when I was a little girl.’
The Love Don’t Cost a Thing artist noted how she made her American Music Awards debut in 2001, recalling: ‘It was so long ago – but the energy in the room was very electric.’
The Jenny from the Block songstress filed for divorce from Ben Affleck on August 20 — their two-year wedding anniversary following their lavish Georgia ceremony in 2022.
The two-hour retrospective special aired Sunday, filling the time slot originally held by the 2024 AMAs, which has been pushed to May 2025.
The long-running awards show, which premiered in 1974, will make its CBS debut after 49 years on ABC. The changes were announced by Dick Clark Productions in late April.
Lopez has performed on the AMA stage numerous times throughout her illustrious entertainment career.
On Thursday, the official American Music Awards Instagram account teased her upcoming spot with its nearly one million followers.
Sharing a montage of performance clips, the caption read: ‘@jlo has been no stranger to the #AMAs over the last 50 years, and she’ll be back this SUNDAY to celebrate the #AMAs50 with us on @cbstv and streaming on @paramountplus.’
Other celebrities who appeared at the anniversary celebration included Mariah Carey, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, and Jennifer Hudson.
Nelly, Nile Rodgers & Chic, and Sheila E. were among the talent that composed the lineup of talent slated to hit the stage, with Kate Hudson, Lance Bass, Samuel L. Jackson and Reba McEntire also appearing.
The broadcast featured special guests, artist interviews, special guests, and never-seen footage from Dick Clark Productions’ archive.
The segments offered a retrospective on particular artists and genres and marked award and performance milestones.
Per a press release, the program was slated to ‘serve as a tribute to the past 50 years and feature dazzling new performances, heartfelt artist interviews, legendary special guests… and iconic moments that have defined the awards show and shaped pop culture.’
Kane Brown highlighted the impact of country music with a performance that includes classic and present day hits.
Mariah Carey kicked off the 20th anniversary celebration of her album The Emancipation of Mimi, which will turn 20 in April 2025.
Singer-songwriter Raye graced the stage to deliver a rendition of James Brown’s 1966 hit It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World.
