In a pre-recorded speech, Taylor Swift accepted Artist of The Year at last night’s (11-22) American Music Awards. She thanked her fans and apologized for not being there, stating that she was in the studio re-recording her old music. She also won Music Video and Female Artist of the Year.
The show opened with Justin Bieber and a dramatic performance of “Lonely,” and “Holy.” He was then joined by Shawn Mendes, who came back in the second hour of the show to perform again. Bieber won in 3 categories, Favorite Male Artist, Favorite Country Song, and Collaboration of the Year. The latter two he shared with Dan + Shay, who also picked up Favorite Country Duo.
Also winning 3 AMA’s, The Weeknd, performed and accepted while wearing a large, white bandage that covered nearly his entire head and face. It was never mentioned on the show, which was confusing, however, fans online assumed that it was part of a promotion for his album, in which he sports a bloodied nose on the cover.
Doja Cat took home New Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist.
BTS performed from Korea and won Favorite Social Artist and Favorite Group.
From the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, actress/host Taraji P. Henson danced onto the stage with a medley of songs including “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince. Except for life-size cut-outs of artists like Beyonce, Stevie Nicks, and Dolly Parton, the downstairs of the theatre was empty. Small groups from the same families were allowed in the balcony. Socially distanced, they were all wearing masks, and covid tested. Henson called it “Our small, but mighty, covid-free audience.”
HIGHLIGHTS
(10x Platinum, GRAMMY-nominated) Bebe Rexha and Doja Cat performed “Baby I’m Jealous.”
BTS performed from South Korea. It looked like a live performance until they suddenly were wearing different clothes.
The Weeknd dedicated his win for Best Album for R&B to his hero Prince. He later performed with Kenny G.
Doja Cat winning her second award of the night… “Wow! Again? Thank you so much!”
Dan + Shay made their AMA performance debut.
PERFORMANCES
Bell Biv Devoe who made their AMA debut 30 years ago, returned to perform “Do Me,” and “Poison.”
Billie Eilish performed “Therefore I am” socially distanced from her band. The band members were wearing masks.
Megan Thee Stallion world premiered a song from her debut album, Good News.
(5 time AMA winner) Katy Perry, and Darius Rucker swapped lyrics for her song “Only Love.” Just the two of them on stage. Darius also played acoustic guitar.
Lewis Capaldi gave a slowed down performance of “Before You Go.”
Lil Baby made his AMA debut with a live performance of “Emotionally Scarred.”
Justin Bieber sang “Lonely,” and he backed it up with “Holy.” And before the audience stopped clapping Shawn Mendes joined him on stage.
Shawn Mendes returned in the second hour to sing “I Wonder.”
24KGoldn with Iann Dior performed “Mood.”
Dua Lipa performed “Levitating.” At the end of the song… it looked like she was actually levitating.
Jennifer Lopez and Maluma world premiered “Pa’ Ti” and “Lonely.”
Dan + Shay performed “I Should Probably Go To Bed.”
Machine Gun Kelly, fresh off his #1 album debut performed a medley of his songs and was joined by Travis Barker.
The Weeknd performed a rendition of “In Your Eyes” featuring Kenny G, and the world television premiere of “Save Your Tears.”
WINNERS
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO: Taylor Swift “Cardigan”
FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP POP/ROCK: BTS
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Doja Cat
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR: Dan + Shay featuring Justin Bieber “10,000 Hours”
ALTERNATIVE ROCK ARTIST: Twenty One Pilots
FAVORITE SOCIAL ARTIST: BTS
FAVORITE SONG – POP ROCK:- Dua Lipa “Don’t Stop Now”
FAVORITE SONG- RAP/HIP-HOP: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion
FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B: The Weeknd “Heartless”
FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY: Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours”
FAVORITE SONG – LATIN: Karol G and Nicki Minaj “Tusa”
FAVORITE SONG– RAP/HIP-HOP: “WAP” Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion
FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B: The Weekend
FAVORITE SONG – LATIN: Nicki Minaj
FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY: Dan + Shay
FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B – The Weeknd After Hours
FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP: Roddy Ricch Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK: Harry Styles Fine Line
FAVORITE ALBUM – LATIN: Bad Bunny Las Que No Iban A Salir
FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY: Blake Shelton Fully Loaded: God’s Country
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY: Maren Morris
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST SOUL/R&B: Doja Cat
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – LATIN: Becky G
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP: Nicki Minaj
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK: Taylor Swift
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK: Justin Bieber
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B: The Weeknd
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – LATIN: Bad Bunny
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP: Juice Wrld
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY: Kane Brown
FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP: Nicki Minaj
FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY: Jonas Brothers
FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL: Lauren Daigle
FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC: Lady Gaga
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK: Harry Styles Fine Line
FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK: Birds of Prey: The Album
TL;DR:
- Taylor Swift won Artist of The Year at last night’s (11-22) American Music Awards.
- She also won Music Video and Female Artist of the Year.
- Other artists winning 3 awards: Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and Dan + Shay.
- Doja Cat took home New Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist.
- BTS performed from Korea and won Favorite Social Artist and Favorite Group.
- There was a small audience, socially distanced and wearing masks.