New Kids on the Block brought “the right stuff” to the 2026 American Music Awards on Monday night.
The group — consisting of Jordan, Jonathan Knight, Joey McEntire, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood — hit the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for a live performance of their 1988 hit song “You Got It (The Right Stuff).”
Starting in front of a white piano, the group performed a slower-tempo version of the song before jumping into a white car reminiscent of the one in the “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” music video and driving onto the stage.
Then, in front of a Las Vegas-themed backdrop, the group, dressed in matching black suits with rhinestone lapels, performed the song’s iconic dance number to the delight of the audience, who could also be seen singing and dancing.
The performance also featured a few fireworks moments.
“You Got It (The Right Stuff)” was the second single released from the band’s hugely successful second album in 1988. Hanging hard (1988).
Before their performance, the AMAs showed a highlight clip of the group’s previous AMAs appearance.
NKOTB’s AMAs performance comes nearly a year after the launch of their Las Vegas residency at the Dolby Live Theater at Park MGM. In November, they added several more dates due to “huge demand.”
The 2026 American Music Awards, hosted by Queen Latifah, aired live on CBS and Paramount+.
The top winners, with three awards each, are BTS, who won all the awards they were nominated for; sad. KATSEYE, who delivered a dance-heavy rendition of their song “Pinky Up”; Bruno Mars; Cardi B. Sabrina Carpenter; And the singing voices of Hentrix (Ejae, Audrey Nona, and Rey Ami) from Demon hunters in kpop. EJAE took fourth prize with it winning Best Original Score Demon hunters in kpop.
Other artists include Lifetime Achievement Award winner Billy Idol, International Artist of Excellence Award recipient Karol G, Hootie & the Blowfish, Katsi, Keith Urban, Maluma, Riley Green, Somber, Teddy Swims, Teyana Taylor and Twenty One Pilots.
AMAs producer Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge, which also owns Hollywood Reporter.
Hilary Lewis contributed to this report.
