Why Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and More Stars Skipped the 2025 American Music Awards

Jennifer Lopez hosted the American Music Awards on Monday, May 26, as the awards show made its return to network TV — but tons of stars skipped out on the night.

Billie Eilish came out on top, sweeping all seven categories she was nominated in — including Album of the Year and Song of the Year, among others — following the April 2024 release of her Hit Me Hard and Soft record. Despite her multiple wins, Eilish didn’t attend the AMAs. She did, however, share a video message to fans.

“This is so crazy, I feel speechless. Thank you so much. I love you all so much. I wish I could be there tonight, I’m on tour, getting to see you all over the world,” Eilish said when taking home her Artist of the Year win. “Thank you to the AMAs. Thank you to the fans, I know you voted for this. This means the world to me. I am just so lucky to get to do what I do and to do it with you.”

Taylor Swift fans were also shook when the singer was missing from the awards show, especially after speculating she had a Reputation (Taylor’s Version) announcement in the pipeline.

Keep scrolling to see who else skipped out on the AMAs:

Taylor Swift

Swift was up for six categories on Monday, losing in all of them. Fans speculated that the singer would attend the AMAs and make a major announcement but were disappointed when she skipped out.

Machine Gun Kelly

The rapper walked the red carpet on Monday before explaining to fans that he wouldn’t be staying for the ceremony because his newborn daughter was under the weather. (MGK and ex Megan Fox welcomed their baby girl in March.)

“She has a little bit of a fever, so I’m gonna just walk the carpet and go back, you know what I mean, and handle my business,” he told E! News. “Give her my pheromones and let her heal up.”

Beyoncé

Beyoncé was up for a few awards — winning Favorite Country Album and Favorite Female Country Artist — but missed out on the AMAs for her Cowboy Carter tour.

Billie Eilish

Similarly, Eilish is also on tour, which explained her absence from the show.

Gracie Abrams

Abrams took home the New Artist of the Year award, sending a video message to fans, but she didn’t quite explain her absence from the awards show.

Doechii

The rapper shared an Instagram message from what appeared to be her backyard after taking home the Social Song of the Year for her hit “Anxiety.”

Post Malone

The rapper won Favorite Male Country Artist and Favorite Country Song but is also on tour so missed out on Monday’s AMAs.

Megan Thee Stallion

She celebrated her win in the Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist category with a social media post, but it’s unclear why she skipped out on the ceremony.

Lady Gaga

Gaga took home Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Music Video wins for her song “Die With a Smile” with Bruno Mars. Gaga also won in the Favorite Dance/Electronic Artist category but didn’t appear at the AMAs to celebrate her successes.