Shelton performed his hit single “Stay Country or Die Tryin'” while Stefani performed a medley from her ‘Love. Angel. Music. Baby.’ album

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani attend Opry 100: A Live Celebration at Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium on March 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.Credit : 

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani may have taken the stage at the 2025 American Music Awards — but the live audience got a bit of a different show.

Fans who attended the 2025 AMAs revealed on TikTok that the musical couple did not perform live during the show — and similar to at-home viewers — they were treated instead to a pre-recorded video showing the pair performing on stage.

One person shared a TikTok video showing the stage as Shelton performed his hit song “Stay Country or Die Tryin'” in a blue striped shirt and jeans. A video of the country singer could be seen on a big screen on stage showing the performance. Meanwhile, band members and crew took their places for the next segment of the AMAs.

“When Blake Shelton is “performing” at the [American Music Awards] but there’s no Blake Shelton in sight 🫠,” the fan captioned the video.

In this image released on May 26, 2025, Blake Shelton performs onstage at the 2025 American Music Awards.Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty

The same thing apparently happened during Stefani’s medley performance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her 2004 album Love. Angel. Music. Baby., which spun some of her greatest hits including “Hollaback Girl,” “What You Waiting For?” and “Rich Girl.”

One viewer in the AMAs audience shared a TikTok video of Stefani’s performance, and the “Just a Girl” singer could be seen on the AMA’s big screen in a pre-recorded performance singing “The Sweet Escape” and her latest hit “Swallow My Tears” in an orange dress, which transformed into a pink frilly minidress as dancers surrounded her and a live band played.

As for the show stage itself, the fan showed that it was encased in black lighting as crew and band members prepared for the next AMAs segment — with Stefani nowhere in sight just like her husband.

In this image released on May 26, 2025, Gwen Stefani performs onstage at the 2025 American Music Awards.Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty

“Gwen Stefani Live at the AMAs… the live view… “We’ve been lied to,” the audience member wrote over the TikTok, adding in the caption, “LIKE WHATTT… why would they say performing live when they aren’t even here?? 😭.”

Shelton was also seen introducing his wife’s performance in front of audience members (in the same wardrobe as his pre-recorded song), saying, “Tonight, she’s celebrating the 20th anniversary of that AMA win by performing two of her biggest hits and her newest hit. Let’s hear it for my one and only, the one and only Gwen Stefani.” However, it’s unclear if the introduction was also live or taped earlier. Neither had walked the carpet earlier in the night.

The American Music Awards, hosted by Jennifer Lopez, was live at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on May 26. Shelton and Stefani were announced as performers at this year’s award show alongside Lopez and Janet Jackson and Rod Stewart, who received the ICON Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.

Other live performances announced included Gloria Estefan, Benson Boone, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, Becky G, Manuel Turizo and Alex Warren.

Billie Eilish took home the “Artist of the Year,” “Album of the Year” and “Song of the Year” awards and accepted the award in a pre-recorded speech. Gracie Abrams was also named “New Artist of the Year.”