On the night of October 6, the American Music Awards marked its 50th anniversary with a two-hour special broadcast on CBS. The event celebrated decades of music with nostalgic moments and fresh performances from today’s top artists, each representing different genres. Stray Kids took center stage for the boy band tribute, delivering what was arguably the most visually captivating and high-energy performance of the night.
Before Stray Kids took the stage, *NSYNC’s Lance Bass and Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean introduced them, reflecting on the impact of boy bands on the AMAs. “Fifty years — the American Music Awards have been around long enough that a lot of boy bands have grown up with the show,” Bass noted. McLean added, “Lance and I are proud to be part of that legacy on the American Music Awards, a boy band legacy worth remembering and even screaming for.”
At the start of their set, strings descended from the ceiling, attached to the members’ limbs as a nod to *NSYNC’s iconic marionette-themed performance of "Bye Bye Bye" from the 2000 AMAs. As the *NSYNC hit played through the speakers, Stray Kids paid tribute by incorporating the original choreography before transitioning into their own track, “Chk Chk Boom.” Dressed in sleek black outfits, Stray Kids exuded energy, style, and confidence, backed by a dynamic group of dancers. Toward the end of the performance, they seamlessly blended elements of "Bye Bye Bye" back into their song, earning a roar of applause from the audience who sang along.
Before their performance, Stray Kids spoke with Billboard’s Tetris Kelly, expressing gratitude to their fans, the Stays, and acknowledging the boy bands that paved the way, including *NSYNC.