Best Nostalgic Night: The Pussycat Dolls, NKOTB & More Took Over the 2026 AMAs

The 2026 AMAs delivered a wave of nostalgia for fans of ’90s and early-2000s music, with unforgettable appearances from Hootie & the Blowfish — nearly 30 years after their last American Music Awards performance — alongside The Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes, and New Kids on the Block.

And the throwbacks didn’t stop there. Paula Abdul, 4 Non Blondes’ Linda Perry, and Hilary Duff also took the stage as presenters, turning the night into a full celebration of iconic pop culture eras.