Hilary Duff made a highly anticipated return to the American Music Awards on Monday night, her first appearance at the ceremony in 21 years.
The singer and actress, 38, walked the red carpet at the 52nd AMAs at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, wearing an elegant metallic silver dress with a V-neckline, teamed with matching silver pumps and minimal accessories.
Her blonde hair was styled into a bouncy blowout, her makeup soft and natural. She is featured on the show as a presenter, joining a lineup that includes John Legend, Nikki Glaser, Paula Abdul and Lisa Rinna, among others.
Duff last attended the AMAs in 2005, which means tonight marks a 21-year gap between appearances, a span that covers an awful lot of ground in her personal and professional life.
The timing seems particularly appropriate given that she’s in the midst of a large-scale creative comeback.
In February, she released lucky…or something like thathis first album in over a decade, and kicked him off Small parts, big nerves tour in January, his first time on the road in over a decade.
She’s also made waves outside of music.
Duff recently appeared in 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover star, photographed in South Caicos by Kat Irlin. Her fellow cover stars this year include Alix Earle, Tiffany Haddish and Nicole Williams English.
Tonight’s ceremony is hosted by Queen Latifah, who co-hosted the AMAs in 1995 and also performed at the 2008 show alongside Alicia Keys.
Performers for the evening include Billy Idol, who receives the Lifetime Achievement Award, Karol G, the Pussycat Dolls with Busta Rhymes, Twenty One Pilots, Hootie & the Blowfish, Teddy Swims, Teyana Taylor, Maluma, New Kids on the Block, Riley Green, Sombr and Katseye.
The show is broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ Premium.
For Duff, however, this evening is a statement in itself, proof that after two decades away from this particular stage, she is back.
