Janet Jackson didn’t just pull up to the 2025 American Music Awards—she shut it all the way down. The legend graced the stage at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas for her first televised performance in seven years, serving vocals and choreography like it was 1993 all over again. Backed by a dazzling set and a roaring audience, she ran through “Someone to Call My Lover” and “All For You”—a nod to her 2001 era that’s recently gone viral again thanks to TikTok.

And just when we caught our breath, Miss Jackson (if you're nasty) was presented with the AMAs’ Icon Award, joining the ranks of Rihanna and Lionel Richie. But in true Janet fashion, she stayed humble. “I don't consider myself an icon,” she told the crowd. “Fame came as a result of hard work and dedication. I just hope I’ve inspired others to follow their dreams.”

Let’s be clear: icon is the bare minimum. From breaking records with Rhythm Nation 1814—the only album with seven Top 5 hits—to snatching 11 AMAs, five Grammys, and a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Janet’s fingerprints are everywhere in the culture. Hits like “Nasty,” “What Have You Done For Me Lately,” and “Together Again” shaped the sound and swagger of modern pop and R&B.

And even through industry double standards and the 2004 Super Bowl fallout, where she took the fall for a moment that nearly derailed her career, Janet stood tall. It took years for Timberlake to speak up, but Black women never stopped riding for her. We knew the truth.

Now 59 and still unstoppable, Janet’s in the middle of a Vegas residency at Resorts World Theatre—with three more sold-out shows this week. So if you're still sleeping on her impact, it might be time to wake up.