New Kids on the Block performed their hit song "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" during the 2026 American Music Awards on Monday night [1].
The appearance serves as a promotional vehicle for the group's upcoming summer residency in Las Vegas [2]. By leveraging a major televised award show, the band aims to drive ticket sales and recapture a broad audience for their live residency shows.
All five members of the group — Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood — took the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena [3, 4]. The performance took place during the 52nd American Music Awards [5].
Reception to the set was divided among viewers and critics. Some reports said the performance rocked the arena and stood as one of the best moments of the night [6]. Conversely, other viewers said the performance was embarrassing [2].
The group's return to the AMAs stage highlights the enduring nature of nostalgia-driven entertainment in the U.S. music market. The performance focused on the high-energy choreography and sound that defined their early career, attempting to bridge the gap between their original fan base and new audiences in Las Vegas [3, 4].
“New Kids on the Block performed their hit song "You Got It (The Right Stuff)"”
The divide in audience reaction underscores the challenge legacy acts face when attempting to modernize their image for current award show audiences while maintaining the nostalgia that drives residency ticket sales.
