Queen Latifah says she’s a Taylor Swift fan amid 2026 AMAs hosting gig: ‘She makes great songs’
NEVADA, LAS VEGAS: Singer and actress Queen Latifah praised singer Taylor Swift for her songwriting, audience connection, and enduring popularity before the 2026 American Music Awards, where Swift entered the night with eight nominations.
Latifah returned to host the music awards more than three decades after first appearing as a cohost in 1995 alongside Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan. She also spoke about the excitement and nerves of taking on hosting duties solo this year.
Queen Latifah praises Taylor Swift ahead of AMAs
Speaking to Variety, she said returning to the AMAs stage after decades felt both nostalgic and exciting. “It’s been a long time, but it was exciting then and it’s exciting now," adding, “I’m just a little bit different person, but you know, we still gotta make get it popping like we did then.”
Latifah also admitted to long admiring Swift’s music and success. “I don’t know if I call myself a Swiftie, but I’m a fan of Taylor Swift, for sure," adding, “I always have been. I think she makes great songs. She makes really great, catchy songs that we love.”
Latifah said she was never surprised by Swift’s massive popularity and credited her ability to connect with listeners early in her career. “She was able to get those records played on the radio. That’s step one. Can you get your record played?” she explained.
She further stated, “When she got her records played, there were a bunch of girls who looked like her who connected to those songs. She wrote to what a lot of young girls were feeling, and young people, for that matter," and praised her public image, saying, “As you got to hear her talk, she seemed to be like someone who wanted to stick up for people rather than talk down to people.”
During the interview, she also revealed she may finally release new music after years away from albums following her 2009 record 'Persona.'
She stated, “I am going to try and drop something this year, I guess I have to, at least start letting some of this music out that I’ve been holding on my computer for so long.”
Latifah added that the upcoming project would blend several genres. “There’s nothing that really sounds like me or is my style that is out there. There’s bits and pieces here and there, but there’s only one me, so I think I need to put some of this music out.”
Asked whether the album would include hip hop, jazz, or soul influences, she responded, “It’ll be a mixture.”
Taylor Swift leaves AMAs without a win
Despite entering the awards as the night’s leading nominee with eight nominations, Taylor Swift left the ceremony without a win. The singer, who did not attend the event, received nominations including artist of the year, album of the year for 'The Life of a Showgirl,' and song of the year for 'The Fate of Ophelia.'
Despite being the most-awarded artist in AMAs history with 40 career wins, she was shut out of the major categories announced on CBS and Paramount.
Instead, artist of the year went to BTS, while song of the year was awarded to EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami for 'Golden' as The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X.
Latifah also told PEOPLE she felt both “nervous” and “excited” about hosting solo this time around. “I know it’s going to be great just because of the people that are performing and that this is a fan-favorite show."
Latifah further said, “The fans get to pick who they want to see and who they should think should win.” She also shared her enthusiasm for the planned performance by The Pussycat Dolls and Busta Rhymes, saying, “I think that’s going to tear the house down.”
Looking back on the 1995 ceremony, she fondly remembered her red leather outfit, velvet dress, and “lots of curls and lots of hairspray,” describing the look as “cute at the time” but also “a little bit of a timestamp.”
