Queen Latifah in Los Angeles in March 2026
Credit: Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
NEED TO KNOW
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Queen Latifah is set to host the 2026 American Music Awards
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She previously hosted the show in 1995 and performed in 2008
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The 2026 AMAs will air live from Las Vegas on May 25 on CBS and stream on Paramount+
Queen Latifah is ready to take over the American Music Awards.
On Tuesday, April 7, CBS and Dick Clark Productions announced that the singer and actress (real name Dana Owens) will take on the role of host at the 52nd annual awards show.
“I am so excited to return to the American Music Awards stage to host this year,” Latifah, 56, said in a press release. “It’s been an incredible year for music and there is no better place to celebrate than in Vegas.”
This will be Latifah’s second time hosting the awards show, as she previously served as co-host in 1995 with Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan. In 2008, she also took the stage to perform “Superwoman” with Alicia Keys and Kathleen Battle.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Queen Latifah back as host of the American Music Awards,” Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions, added. “A true powerhouse and trailblazer, she brings a dynamic presence and deep connection to both fans and fellow artists, making her the perfect choice to lead a night celebrating the biggest names and most defining moments in music.”
Nominations for this year’s awards show will be announced on Tuesday, April 14 and fan voting will open the same day. The voting period will end on May 8.
Meanwhile, additional information regarding performers, presenters and special honorees will be announced in the coming weeks.
Queen Latifah in Los Angeles in March 2026
Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty
Last year’s show was hosted by Jennifer Lopez and she performed a medley of 23 of her biggest hits. The show also featured performances by Janet Jackson, Alex Warren, Becky G and Manuel Turizo, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp and Rod Stewart.
Lately, Latifah has been working on her biopic that is being produced by her company Flavor Unit Entertainment, Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Jesse Collins Entertainment. She is also set to reprise her role as Ellie in Ice Age: Boiling Point, which is set for release in 2027.
This 2026 AMAs will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 25. Viewers can tune in on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
Read the original article on People