The American Music Awards has lengthy been one of many greatest nights in music — and popular culture generally. Through the years, the AMAs has given us some really unforgettable (and downright chaotic) moments: Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s notorious matching denim, Kanye West storming out after dropping Greatest New Artist (peak Ye conduct), and Girl Gaga making her grand entrance on a mechanical horse. This 12 months, although, the drama did not come from jaw-dropping trend or backstage antics — it got here from the headliner lineup. Followers had been left scratching their heads when Blake Shelton was revealed as a top-billed performer. Shelton isn’t any stranger to awards reveals, positive, however the CMAs and ACMs are extra his pace. The AMAs? Not a lot.

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Is that this karma for the way issues went down with Miranda Lambert? Possibly. Many could not assist however roll their eyes and query why a rustic crooner many contemplate previous his prime was taking heart stage at a present meant to have a good time what’s sizzling proper now. Sure, he is nabbed just a few AMA trophies lately, however this was his first time really acting on the AMA stage — and funnily sufficient, it didn’t go easily. A piece of his set ended up getting muted on the dwell stream, leaving viewers confused — and fully unimpressed. “I can not hear Blake Shelton? Simply faux clapping and cheers??? Lmaooo,” one viewer tweeted, with one other saying, “Eeeeeeek! No sound for Blake Shelton. Any individual’s getting fired for this.” Suffice it to say, this wasn’t precisely Shelton’s shining second.

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Blake Shelton could contemplate the 2025 AMAs a profession milestone — it was, in spite of everything, his efficiency debut on the present — however followers clearly did not really feel the identical means. The web wasted no time questioning why the nation star, whose popular culture relevance has been on a gentle decline, was even within the headliner lineup to start with.

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“No Sabrina, Taylor or Gracie however they’ve Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani as performers? They have to’ve been determined to get folks,” one tweeted, dragging not simply Shelton however his spouse into the combo. One other included host Jennifer Lopez of their grievance, writing, “Nothing like J Lo and Blake Shelton headlining #AMAs in 2025 to indicate a useless music business.” One even misplaced their general curiosity in watching the present altogether when Shelton appeared on stage. “Blake Shelton being the primary performer?? Yea turning this off instantly,” they quipped. What a brutal assessment!

Blake Shelton performs “Keep Nation or Die Tryin'” on the #amas pic.twitter.com/9agPFKzKSM

— Dwell Efficiency Hub (@performancesdly) Could 27, 2025

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To his credit score, Shelton regarded proud as he saluted the viewers with a Memorial Day tribute after his efficiency, however provided that a part of his set received muted throughout the livestream, that satisfaction could have been a bit of misguided. If nothing else, his shaky AMA second may simply encourage his ex, Miranda Lambert, to pen one other chart-topping hit. Based on one in all her shut associates, Shelton nonetheless lingers in her inventive course of regardless of her having already moved on. “Miranda is older and wiser now and she or he not lays all of the blame at Blake’s toes,” they informed InTouch. “Now it nonetheless provides her fodder for writing hit songs!” We won’t wait!