Queen Latifah to Host 52nd American Music Awards

Queen Latifah will take the stage as host of the 52nd American Music Awards this May 25th in Las Vegas. This marks a significant full-circle moment, arriving exactly three decades after she first co-hosted the ceremony back in 1995. "Returning to host the American Music Awards is incredibly exciting for me," Latifah stated. "With such a phenomenal year in music, Vegas is the ideal spot to honor it all." The event, once again produced by Dick Clark Productions and broadcast by CBS, will air live on Memorial Day at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with streaming and on-demand availability on Paramount+.

Fan engagement is a cornerstone of the AMAs. The full list of nominees will be revealed on April 14th, immediately opening a voting window that runs through May 8th. Industry analysts note that this fan-voted format has been crucial to the show's longevity and relevance. Additional announcements regarding performers and presenters are expected in the lead-up to the ceremony, and tickets are currently on sale via AXS.

Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions, expressed strong support for the hosting choice. "We are thrilled to welcome Queen Latifah back," Penske said. "As a true powerhouse and trailblazer, she possesses a dynamic presence and a deep connection with both fans and artists, making her the perfect host to helm a night celebrating music's biggest moments." The rapper, actress, and producer, whose groundbreaking early work in hip-hop earned her a Grammy in 1995, has long been celebrated for her versatility and influence across entertainment.

The 2025 broadcast represents a continued effort to rebuild the awards show's audience. After a shift in 2022 to a fall broadcast on ABC from Los Angeles resulted in a record-low viewership of 3.53 million, last year's Memorial Day event staged a notable comeback. The 2024 ceremony averaged 5.2 million viewers, marking its strongest performance since 2019 and demonstrating the potential of its current scheduling and production strategy. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Variety's parent company, PMC, through a joint venture with Eldridge.