Jennifer Lopez Sparks Controversy with Onstage Kiss at American Music Awards

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Jennifer Lopez is facing backlash after her headline performance at the 2025 American Music Awards featured a surprise kiss with both male and female dancers, sparking confusion and criticism online.

The 55-year-old singer opened the Las Vegas show with a high-energy set that included performances of Dance Again, Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish, and Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us. But it was her intimate moment with two backup dancers—one male and one female—that grabbed the most attention.

Dressed in a semi-transparent catsuit embellished with silver and jewels, Lopez moved through a series of outfit changes and choreographed routines.

The kiss, delivered during one of the songs, left viewers divided. Many took to social media, with one writing, “JLo is kissing everyone now?” while another commented, “This was just embarrassing.”

Some suggested the moment may have been a calculated move to generate headlines or even to provoke her ex-husband Ben Affleck, from whom she finalized her divorce earlier this year. The couple rekindled their romance in 2021, married in 2022, and announced their separation in early 2025.

The performance wasn’t without incident beforehand. Lopez recently revealed a visible cut on her nose sustained during rehearsals, which required stitches. She shared images of the injury on social media, joking about the mishap.

Despite the controversy, Lopez was praised by producers for her return as host of the AMAs. Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions, said her presence brought unmatched energy to the ceremony, which saw other major names like Taylor Swift absent.

While Lopez has a long history with the AMAs, having performed ten times since 2001, this year’s show may be her most talked-about yet.