The 2026 American Music Awards delivered a moment of nostalgia and reconciliation as Fergie reunited with her former Black Eyed Peas bandmates on stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, May 25. The 51-year-old singer joined will.i.am, APL.DE.AP and Taboo to accept the Best Throwback Song Award for their 2010 hit "Rock That Body," marking a significant milestone in the group's storied history.
The emotional appearance represented the first time the classic lineup has shared a major awards show stage since Fergie stepped away from the group in 2018 to focus on her solo career. Her enthusiasm was palpable as she addressed the audience during the acceptance speech.
"'Rock That Body,' we did it," Fergie beamed during the ceremony. "Black Eyed Peas, 'Rock That Body,' American Music Awards 2026, let's go!"
The Best Throwback Song Award represents a new category at the American Music Awards, designed to celebrate classic songs that dominated pop radio during their era. "Rock That Body" triumphed over formidable competition, including 4 Non Blondes' "What's Up?" and Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris," demonstrating the enduring appeal of the Black Eyed Peas' signature sound.
The group had built anticipation for the nomination through social media, sharing a montage of TikToks set to "Rock That Body" on Instagram on April 15. In their post, the band reflected on the song's lasting impact: "We're honored to be nominated for the 2026 @amas !! 'Rock That Body' up for Best Throwback Song... a song we made all those years ago, still making an impact today."
Fergie served as the lead vocalist of the Black Eyed Peas from 2002 to 2018, a period during which the group achieved unprecedented commercial success. The band sold more than 80 million albums worldwide and topped the Billboard Hot 100 three times with 2009's "Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling" as well as 2010's "Imma Be."
When Fergie departed in 2018, will.i.am, 51, addressed the transition in an interview with Ahlan, emphasizing the group's collaborative history with female vocalists. "Since the beginning of Black Eyed Peas, we've always had amazing vocalists that appeared on the mic with us," he explained. "People like Macy Gray, Esthero, Debi Nova, Fergie. On Elephunk, there were several females that appeared on that album."
He continued, "As far as replacing [Fergie], what people know The Black Eyed Peas to be, nobody is replacing Fergie. She's working on her solo project at the moment, we're on this brand-new experience, celebrating 20 years of Black Eyed Peas putting out music."
The groundwork for Monday's reunion was laid in December 2025, when the classic lineup gathered to celebrate all four members reaching their 50th birthdays. Fergie shared photos from the intimate gathering on social media, writing, "Finally got to break bread and celebrate our milestone birthdays together. What a special night with my brothers, filled with so much love."
That December reunion appeared to rekindle the chemistry between Fergie and her former bandmates, setting the stage for their appearance at the American Music Awards. The performance and acceptance speech demonstrated that despite years of pursuing separate projects, the bond between the four artists remains strong.
The 2026 American Music Awards aired on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, providing a fitting venue for the reunion. Las Vegas has long been a significant location for the Black Eyed Peas, though the group previously canceled a Las Vegas residency due to what they described as "current circumstances."
The Best Throwback Song Award win and reunion performance raise questions about whether this represents a one-time celebration or the beginning of renewed collaboration between Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas. For now, fans can celebrate seeing the classic lineup together again, honoring a song that continues to resonate more than 15 years after its release.
