By a certain point, you can tell when something’s off. That’s how it felt for many watching the 2025 American Music Awards, which returned after a two-year hiatus with promises of a glamorous comeback. The ceremony, staged at the new Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, was meant to be a celebration. Instead, for fans, especially those inside the room, it ended up feeling like a letdown.

The confusion started when Gwen Stefani appeared on screen rather than stepping onto the stage. She performed a medley honoring 20 years of Love. Angel. Music. Baby., but the moment didn’t land. A beat later, Blake Shelton showed up the same way - pre-recorded - singing his new single Stay Country or Die Tryin’. What was billed as a live show suddenly didn’t feel very live.

It soon became clear that Stefani and Shelton were the only performers who had pre-taped their sets. Everyone else from Janet Jackson to Jennifer Lopez, delivered live performances. Which left the obvious question hanging in the air: why were these two the exception?

Neither the artists nor the show’s producers have addressed it. But the backlash was swift. Fans who showed up expecting live music felt misled, especially after Stefani promoted her performance heavily on social media. On the night of the show, she even posted a birthday message to her son, proof she wasn’t anywhere near the venue.

It’s part of a bigger problem the AMAs are struggling with. After a long absence, they needed a reset. But many of the night’s top nominees including Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Billie Eilish, weren’t in attendance. To avoid airing a string of pre-taped acceptance speeches, producers skipped over announcing major wins entirely. Instead, the focus was on performances so it is understandable the disappointment of many music fans who were expecting a big night. At its best, a live show builds something real between artist and audience, an energy you can’t fake. This year, that feeling was missing.