New Kids on the Block brought “the right stuff” to the 2026 American Music Awards on Monday night.
The group — consisting of Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, 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 “You Got It (The Right Stuff).”
Beginning in front of a white piano, the group performed a slower tempo version of the song before hopping in a white car reminiscent of the one from the “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” music video and driving onto the stage.
Then, in front of a Las Vegas-centric backdrop, the group, dressed in matching black suits with rhinestone lapels, performed the song’s iconic dance to the delight of the audience, who could also be seen singing and dancing along.
The performance also featured a handful of pyrotechnic moments.
“You Got It (The Right Stuff)” was the second single released from the band’s massively successful sophomore album, 1988’s Hangin’ Tough (1988).
Prior to their performance, the AMAs showed a highlight reel of the group’s past AMAs appearances.
NKOTB’s AMAs performance comes nearly a year after they launched their Las Vegas residency at the Dolby Live theater at Park MGM. In November, they added several more dates due to “overwhelming demand.”
The 2026 American Music Awards, hosted by Queen Latifah, aired live on CBS and Paramount+.
Top winners, with three trophies each included BTS, who won all the awards for which they were nominated; Sombr; KATSEYE, who delivered a dance-heavy performance of their song “Pinky Up”; Bruno Mars; Cardi B; Sabrina Carpenter; and the singing voices of Huntrix (EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami) from KPop Demon Hunters. EJAE took home a fourth award with a best soundtrack win for KPop Demon Hunters.
Other performers included lifetime achievement award recipient Billy Idol, International Artist Award of Excellence recipient Karol G, Hootie & the Blowfish, Katseye, Keith Urban, Maluma, Riley Green, Sombr, 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 that also owns The Hollywood Reporter.
Hilary Lewis contributed to this report.
