Jennifer Lopez Recalls Her First American Music Awards Performance as Show Celebrates 50 Years: ‘The Energy Was Electric’

Despite her breakup with Ben Affleck, Lopez participated in a filmed interview during the 50th anniversary special, which aired on October 6, to commemorate the AMAs’ history.

As the American Music Awards enter its 50th year, Jennifer Lopez is reflecting on some of her favorite moments from the event.

Lopez, 55, became sentimental during a taped interview during the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special on Sunday, October 6, sharing her best recollections of making numerous appearances at the AMAs throughout the years. She started out by talking about the significant anniversary and how, as a young child with huge hopes, she used to watch the show.

It’s quite amazing, don’t you think? The American Music Awards celebrate 50 years. She began, “I remember watching them at home when I was a little girl,” and then talked about her 2001 debut at the event.

“What?” she exclaimed, laughing nostalgically.

There have been many memorable moments during the 50-year history of the #AMAs, thanks to @JLo! Relive the finest of JLo by saying “Let’s Get Loud”!  #AMAs50

Watch NOW on @CBS and streaming on @paramountplus. pic.twitter.com/6pdiEfUQ4K

— October 7, 2024, American Music Awards (@AMAs)

Lopez then talked back about the occasion when she was named Favorite Latin Artist in 2011 while sporting a pink pussy-bow silk shirt. “Getting an award that is decided by your fans is quite significant since it comes from the people you write music for. Regarding the honor, she remarked, “It’s just a humbling experience.”

The “Can’t Get Enough” singer mentioned in another interview that she considered hosting the ceremony in 2015 to be “a huge honor” and acknowledged that she changed her outfit numerous times that evening.

“I decided that I was gonna change for every time I came out there [onstage],” she said. “We did this dance medley to all of these amazing songs from that year, and I wanted everyone to feel that love and energy.”

“Maybe I’ll do it again one day,” she teasingly said. Who knows?”

Lopez paused to consider the influence of music as well. “Music really does have the power to heal and uplift and to connect us, and the AMAs have been showcasing that for half a century now,” she said. She continued, “And I’m excited for the next 50 years of music — and magic.”

The “This Is Me… Now” singer’s appearance on the AMAs coincided with her ongoing breakup with Ben Affleck.

The duo were recently spotted heading out for lunch together at the Polo Lounge inside the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sept. 14 with Affleck’s kids Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12, and Lopez’s 16-year-old twins, Max and Emme. Less than a month had passed since Lopez and 52-year-old Affleck filed for divorce.

A source close to the Unstoppable actress recently told PEOPLE that she and the Accountant star “are still moving forward with the divorce” despite their cordial excursion, as they “continue to focus on the kids.”

To celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary, the 50th Anniversary Special will take place in lieu of the regular American Music Awards ceremony. Notable attendees include multiple award-winner Gloria Estefan, five-time AMA host Jimmy Kimmel, and 17-time winner Carrie Underwood.

Reba McEntire, actor Samuel L. Jackson, Kate Hudson, former Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean, Cedric the Entertainer, Lance Bass of *NSYNC, and Smokey Robinson will also make special appearances on the broadcast.

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Performers scheduled to appear include Brad Paisley, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Green Day, Jennifer Hudson, Kane Brown, Mariah Carey, RAYE, and Stray Kids.

The CBS special will be “an evening celebrating half a century of groundbreaking music, iconic moments, unforgettable performances, and rich pop culture history.” This is the first AMAs ceremony since November 2022, when the last one aired. The scheduled AMAs have been rescheduled for May 2025.

On October 6, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, CBS will broadcast the 50th Anniversary Special of the American Music Awards, which may also be streamed live on Paramount+ for members who have SHOWTIME or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers.