Blake Shelton recently addressed the mini-controversy surrounding his and Gwen Stefani’s performances for the American Music Awards (AMAs) after some fans expressed frustration over their pre-taped segments. He took to social media to clarify the situation.
On Tuesday, Shelton posted a message stating, “Just now seeing these stories about Gwen and I pretaping our performances for the AMA’s. We came and performed when the show asked us to.. Really nothing else to say.” His post also featured a shrugging emoji, indicating his nonchalance about the criticism.
The performances in question were recorded on Saturday afternoon, shortly after Shelton’s 30-minute acoustic set at his Ole Red venue in Las Vegas. Shelton performed his song “Stay Country or Die Tryin” and recorded an introduction for Stefani, who sang a medley that included hits such as “The Sweet Escape,” “Hollaback Girl,” and her latest single, “Swallow My Tears.” Although the videos were displayed on screens for the audience in attendance, viewers at home were left unaware that the performances had been pre-recorded.
This reality led to dissatisfaction among some fans who attended the live show. Reports on TikTok suggested that AMA producers misled ticket holders, claiming the performances were live. Shelton and Stefani were prominently listed as performers in the Monday lineup, the only acts whose segments had been pre-recorded.
It is worth noting that pre-recording performances is not an uncommon practice for awards shows, particularly for high-profile events like the AMAs. Several acceptance speeches were also recorded beforehand and aired during the broadcast, reflecting a broader trend in the industry.
Billie Eilish, who won an impressive seven awards, participated in the show remotely, further exemplifying how some artists engage with awards shows outside of the live venue. Sza was the sole Artist of the Year winner present at the BleauLive Theater during the telecast, highlighting the mix of live and pre-recorded components of the event.
In the wake of these developments, viewers were given the complete list of winners, which showcased a diverse range of talent across various genres. Billie Eilish dominated the 2025 AMAs, winning Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” and Song of the Year for “Birds of a Feather.”
Gwen Stefani also marked her presence with a standout performance, even amidst the pre-taped performance controversy. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars took home the award for Favorite Music Video for their collaboration, “Die With a Smile.”
The awards ceremony also celebrated artists in categories including hip-hop, R&B, country, and Latin music. Post Malone was recognized as both Favorite Male Country Artist and for his collaboration with Morgan Wallen, while Beyoncé was named Favorite Female Country Artist and won for her country album “COWBOY CARTER.”
Other notable winners included Eminem for Favorite Male Hip-Hop Artist and Megan Thee Stallion for Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist, while The Weeknd and SZA captured awards in the respective R&B categories.
The ceremony provided a platform for various artists to showcase their talents, amidst the backdrop of discussions regarding the nature of live performances in an evolving music industry. As the social media debates continue, the focus remains on the celebration of music and artistry as evident in this year’s AMAs.
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