As the American Music Awards kicked off on Monday evening, Queen Latifah made a high-profile return to the stage as host for the second time — more than three decades after her first turn at the helm.
Latifah previously fronted the ceremony in 1995, sharing hosting duties with Tom Jones and country star Lorrie Morgan. After that earlier appearance proved popular with viewers, organisers turned to her again to lead the 2026 edition of the annual awards show.
Looking back on how much has changed since her first time hosting, Latifah told Variety: “It’s been a long time, but it was exciting then and It’s exciting now.I’m just a little bit different person, but you know, we still gotta make get it popping like we did then.”
With the AMAs set to celebrate some of the year’s biggest names and moments in music, Taylor Swift entered the night out in front with eight nominations across several categories.
Even though Swift isn’t attending the ceremony, Latifah still took time to highlight what she believes has fueled the singer’s continued success — and why she remains such a standout contender.
“I don’t know if I call myself a Swiftie, but I’m a fan of Taylor Swift, for sure,” Latifah says.
“I always have been. I think she makes great songs. She makes really great, catchy songs that we love.”
“She was able to get those records played on the radio. That’s step one. Can you get your record played?”
Latifah explains. “When she got her records played, there were a bunch of girls who looked like her who connected to those songs. She wrote to what a lot of young girls were feeling, and young people, for that matter. And then, as you got to hear her talk, she seemed to be like someone who wanted to stick up for people rather than talk down to people.”
While Latifah’s comments focused on Swift’s impact, some viewers were also hoping the host might showcase her own musical talents, with many wondering if she would perform during the broadcast.
She didn’t entirely dismiss the idea, but emphasised the night’s spotlight belongs to the nominees, stressing: “This isn’t the Queen Latifah show.”
She said:” It is the American Music Awards, and there are lovely people that are nominated, and they deserve to have the stage and really rock the stage. I’m here to facilitate their greatness, that’s all I’m here to do.”
And when asked if she could be persuaded to do something spontaneous, Latifah left the door open with a playful response: “I’m always prepared for whatever. Roll up with a piano and if a guitar appears from nowhere, I’m sure I can figure something out!”