Queen Latifah will host the 52nd American Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 25, returning to the hosting role three decades after first co-hosting in 1995, a move seen as a strategic reset to boost the show’s relevance.

Dick Clark Productions CEO Jay Penske lauds Latifah as a powerhouse and trailblazer with a dynamic presence that resonates with fans and artists alike.

Latifah’s career spans music, acting and producing, with Grammy recognition for U.N.I.T.Y., a Kennedy Center Honor in 2023, and a National Medal of the Arts in 2024, underscoring her versatility and enduring influence.

Industry observers expect Latifah’s hosting to bring a polished, memorable broadcast with moments that fuel post-show discussion.

Press credentials for the AMAs can be requested via the official credential application, and tickets are available through AXS.

The 2026 AMAs plan to feature 50 categories, expanding from 37 the prior year to highlight more emerging talents across breakthrough categories.

The show will celebrate today’s influential artists with multi-genre performances and special moments, broadcast coast-to-coast and streaming on Paramount+.

Nominations will be announced on April 14, with fan voting running through May 8, and the ceremony will be aired live on CBS with streaming via Paramount+.

Further details on performers, presenters and honorees will be announced in the coming weeks as the lineup takes shape.

The AMAs have shifted away from multi-host formats since 2003, signaling a preference for a single, strong host in recent years.

Latifah is actively developing a biopic with ongoing casting discussions, emphasizing the need for versatile actors to portray the breadth of roles she has played since age 17.

Excitement around Latifah’s hosting already building, even as the full lineup of performers and presenters remains undisclosed.