Queen Latifah is set to host the American Music Awards (AMAs) on Monday night, marking her first time as solo host since she co-hosted the event in 1995 alongside Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan. The rapper and actress expressed excitement about returning to the role, saying, 'It’s been a long time, but it was exciting then and it’s exciting now.'
In an interview, Latifah spoke about her admiration for Taylor Swift, who leads the nominations this year. 'I don’t know if I call myself a Swiftie, but I’m a fan of Taylor Swift, for sure,' she said. 'She makes really great, catchy songs that we love.' Latifah attributed Swift's success to her ability to connect with audiences, particularly young girls, through relatable songwriting.
Latifah emphasised her role as a facilitator for the nominees, stating, 'This isn’t the Queen Latifah show. It is the American Music Awards... I’m here to facilitate their greatness.' She also revealed she plans to release new music this year, her first album since 2009's 'Persona'. 'I am going to try and drop something this year,' she said. 'There’s only one me, so I think I need to put some of this music out.'
The AMAs will air live on CBS on Memorial Day, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and will be available on Paramount+. Coverage from the red carpet begins at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET.
