Jennifer Lopez's Cringe-Worthy AMA Performance Sparks Major Backlash

Jennifer Lopez has had a rocky year or two. The fifty-five-year-old has been criticized for everything from her music and acting to her personal life. But now the "Waiting For Tonight" singer appears to be revamping her image following her controversial appearance at this year's American Music Awards. She has lately announced that she will be embarking on a significant new music project similar to her previously failed world tour. However, as J.Lo's recent stage performance has sparked controversy on social media, many are branding her as cringe and questioning if her latest attempts at a comeback are nothing more than desperate PR stunts.

Jennifer Lopez Lambasted Online for Raunchy AMA’s Performance

On Monday, May 26, Jennifer Lopez hosted the 2025 American Music Awards. As one of today's most prolific performers, her presence at the awards ceremony generated fervor discourse. Lopez certainly lived up to her somewhat controversial name when she took to the stage to perform a medley of her most famous hit songs. However, it wasn't her songs that raised eyebrows but rather the fact that Lopez shared several steamy kisses with male and female backup dancers. The incident sparked heated discourse on social media, with one viewer posting on X, "Bro, what in the world did Jennifer Lopez just do at the #AMA's? Just when I thought she couldn't get any more cringe, she proved me wrong. Just a totally shameless PR stunt." Although several media outlets praised the singer for her impressive six-minute set, many echoed the sentiments of fans online, with Fox News branding the kissing incident as 'vulgar'.

The controversial performance follows J. Lo's divorce from Ben Affleck, which was finalized earlier this year. The "Love Don't Cost A Thing" singer has also been romantically linked with a string of people, including actor Kevin Costner. In addition to her AMA performance and hosting duties, Lopez also made headlines after making a prominent announcement on social media. On Instagram, Lopez wrote to her 240+ million followers that she was returning to the stage with a residency in Las Vegas: "SURPRISE! JLOVERS! We're back! I'm doing a residency in Las Vegas! Join me for Up All Night! Live in Las Vegas at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Dec 30 — Jan 3, & select dates in March! Tickets are on sale Friday, June 6 at 10 AM PT."

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While many fans are celebrating the monumental news, it is worth mentioning that Lopez's 2024 North American tour, "THIS IS ME… LIVE," was canceled. At the time, representatives for Lopez stated that Lopez had abruptly canceled the tour to spend time with her children, family, and friends. However, several media outlets speculated that the tour was abruptly canceled due to her tumultuous marriage to Ben Affleck and low ticket sales. One fan wrote on Reddit regarding the cancellation, "That series of screenshots of the arenas with barely any tickets sold is absolutely diabolical. It goes to show how important booking and researching/analyzing your potential audience is."

Jennifer Lopez Mocked By Media Outlets Following AMA's Kiss

Following Jennifer Lopez's raunchy performance at this year's American Music Awards, more publications are giving their two cents on it. For example, the media outlet Metro UK hailed the moment she kissed her backup dancers as a desperate publicity stunt. The Daily Mail also reported on the performance, calling it "cringe-worthy and a desperate attempt to boost her career", and implying that she was trying to make her ex-husband, Ben Affleck, jealous. The publication also reported on Lopez's rather wild antics following the prestigious event. The fifty-five-year-old was captured partying on top of a bus with several male back-up dancers in Las Vegas to celebrate her hosting duties and her upcoming residency in Vegas. Meanwhile, News Australia not only called Lopez's performance 'cringe' but also accused her of copying Britney Spears, Madonna, and Christina Aguilera's three-way kiss at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.

Recently, J Lo revealed her harrowing experience days prior to the AMA's. As it turns out, the singer was recovering from a serious injury she sustained during rehearsals. Lopez stated in a recent interview with People Magazine. “I hurt my nose. I hit it in rehearsal, and I had to get stitches. It was fine. A few of us have gotten hurt in rehearsals. We’re doing a very high-energy, athletic number so it’s, I guess, bound to happen.”

Amal Clooney Wore Optical Illusion Jeans Cosigned by Jennifer Lopez—Fall-Ready Styles Start at $44

My list of must-try jean trends for 2026 is growing; it currently includes all the silhouettes one denim expert revealed to me as the must-watch of the year (save for baggy jeans, because I’ve been wearing those for years). That said, one style that didn’t land on said aforementioned list, but is clearly due for big, big things this year, is flare jeans. With a growing list of celebrity fans that includes Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Cindy Crawford, Kendrick Lamar (you know that moment), and, of course, Amal Clooney, there’s no denying the retro denim style that was popular in the early aughts is back—and bigger than ever.

The fact that Clooney wore flared jeans is noteworthy in and of itself. The human rights lawyer is known for her refined dressing approach, regularly opting for billowy trousers, trendy boho blouses, and comfy sweater dresses—all staples that read elegant and timeless. So, when I spotted her earlier this year in the laid-back blues while out to dinner with hubby George Clooney, I knew I had to write about it. Of course, the fact that she wore flare jeans, the style countless celebs have worn the last few weeks, is noteworthy, too, as it further cements the style’s ‘It’ status for 2026. 

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Clooney opted for a pair of medium-wash jeans with subtle fading (another Y2K reference, IMO). Her blues had an ultra-high waist—so high, in fact, that they appeared to hit at the ribcage. It’s the complete opposite of the controversial low-rise denim, so it’s a possible sign that the high-high waist is coming back, too. Not to mention, Clooney’s jeans had a slightly oversized fit from the thighs to the ankles, but it’s that flared hem that has all my attention; it’s taking me back to my middle school days when I’d wear my True Religion flares every single day. (No joke.)

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It’s undeniable that Clooney’s jeans have that nostalgic flair (ahem, flare, wink, wink), but it’s also undeniable that celebs are clamoring to the style because it’s incredibly flattering. The blues basically act like an optical illusion, making legs look super long, especially when paired with a style that has an extra-long hemline and sky-high platforms á la Lopez; the singer is 5-feet-5-inches, but don’t you agree with me that she looks way taller in these jeans? Yeah, that’s thanks to the flares. The flare hem and longer inseams help create the look of legs for days, but add in a high-waisted cut, platform heels, and a crop top, and you’ll fool people into thinking you’re inches taller. 

Leg-elongating factor aside, there’s no denying that flares are fun and nostalgia-inducing—and that’s exactly what I need right now. So, shop some more fun, funky flares from Frame, NYDJ, and Mavi below.

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