The America Music Awards are turning to multiple award-winning host in the show’s return to Las Vegas.
Queen Latifah is steering the 52nd AMAs, set for MGM Grand Garden Arena on Memorial Day, May 25. The show broadcasts live at 5 p.m. Pacific time on CBS and Paramount+.
Latifah co-hosted the show alongside Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan 1995, when the ceremony took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Jennifer Lopez hosted the AMA’s one-off show at BleauLive Theater last May.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is hosting the show for the first time and is the largest venue to ever host the event. Tickets are available AXS.com.
Nominations for this year’s awards will be announced April 14. Fan voting opens the same day, remaining open until May 8. Performers, presenters and special honorees are to be announced “in the coming weeks,” according to a release from show producer Dick Clark Productions.
Latifah won the 1994 Grammy for Best Rap Performance for “U.N.I.T.Y.” She has earned seven Grammy nominations total. She was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Mama Horton in “Chicago,”
The 56-year-old, multi-hyphenate performer is the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in 2006. She was recognized with the National Medal of the Arts in 2024, and honors at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors.
Latifah made her film debut in Spike Lee’s 1991 film, “Jungle Fever,” and more recently headlined and executive produced CBS’ “The Equalizer,” which ended its four-year run in 2025.
The superstar said she is excited to return as AMA’s host: “It’s been an incredible year for music and there is no better place to celebrate than in Vegas.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.