The 2019 American Music Awards took place in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 24. In case you missed it, here is an in-depth recap (or play-by-play) from OCM Weekly.
Opening the show was “Lose You To Love Me” singer Selena Gomez. Performing on the AMAs was her big comeback, she told fans. She has been battling lupus and other health issues the last couple of years and has not really performed.
Gomez wore a floor length, elegant black dress during her first song. Transitioning into her second song, “Look At Her Now,” she traded the dress for a silver sparkly leotard with black knee high boots. Gomez earned the first standing ovation of the night with her set – even though she sounded a bit off-key. E! News reported that her pitch issues were the result of suffering an anxiety and panic attack before going on stage.
“She definitely had a panic attack. She was nervous. She hasn’t been on stage in two years, and it’s an important song in her career,” says the source. “She really wanted to deliver.” - says a source.
Despite being off, fans (both in the crowd and on social media) still showered in love and support. Gomez wrote on her social media, “Feels good to be back. Thank you to my entire team and to my fans that stand by me. All of this is for you and because of you. Excited for this chapter.” Personally, I feel like her vulnerable performance just showed that she is human and feels emotions just like all of us. We love you Selena!
Following Gomez, AMA host Ciara took the stage and performed “Melanin.” She came down from the ceiling and immediately broke into dance. She ended her performance by thanking fans and introducing the AMAs, herself, and Chadwick Boseman – the first award presenter of the night.
Boseman presented the award for “Favorite Alternative Rock Artist.” Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, and Panic! At The Disco were all nominated; however, Eilish won her first AMA for this category.
“This is so pretty,” Eilish said in regards to her award.
Beating out the Jonas Brothers, Panic!, Post Malone, and others, “Favorite Pop Rock Song” went to Halsey for “Without Me.” Along with Eilish, this was Halsey’s first AMA award ever.
Model Tyra Banks introduced the next performer Lizzo who performed her new song “Jerome.” Her performance was impactful and emotional as she sang amidst thousands of waving lights.
AMA nominee followed Lizzo by introducing singer and friend, Thomas Rhett, who performed his 13th number one song: “Look At What God Gave Her.” Rhett touched hands with various fans along the stage edge all while not missing a beat. Much like his recent show here in Knoxville, Rhett could not be confined to the stage as he briefly left the AMA stage to walk and dance through the crowd.
The next performance heated up the stage with Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s “Senorita.” The couple held nothing back as they showed their immense chemistry with one another on stage; however, there was no kiss this time – even though everyone wanted it to happen based on their reactions in the audience.
The next award was presented by the “Favorite Pop Rock Album” where Taylor Swift’s “Lover” beat Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish and took home her first AMA of the night. Swift, as always, accepted her award with grace and humility. She thanked fans, guest appearance artists, her record label, and everyone else included in the creation of the album.
“I did not think I was going to win this one,” Swift said.
Giving an energetic and gospel feeling type of performance, Kesha performed a new song “Raising Hell.” She even threw it back a few years by performing her hit song “Tik Tok.” Following Kesha was Toni Braxton singing “Unbreak My Heart.”
“Favorite Country Album” went to “Cry Pretty” by Carrie Underwood. This was Underwood’s 14th time winning an AMA and sixth time winning this category. While accepting the first award, she was also given the award for “Favorite Female Country Artist.” Underwood thanked God for giving people gifts and talent as well as her family and her supporters.
K-Pop group, BTS, won “Tour of Year” and accepted their award via video.
Tyler the Creator introduced Eilish’s fiery performance of “All The Good Girls Go To Hell.”
Jamie Lee Curtis and Katherine Langford presented “Collaboration of the Year.” The award went to Mendes and Cabello for “Senorita.” The two joined the stage and collectively thanked everyone for their award and even gave a shout out to Mendes’ mom in Toronto, Canada.
“New Artist of the Year” was between Luke Combs, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, and Ella Mai. The AMA went to Eilish as she took her second award for the night.
AMA “Favorite Pop Rock Song” winner, Halsey performed hit song “Graveyard.” Her stage was pure white, with bright white lights, and she and her dancer wore pure white suits..until she dipped her hands in the brightly colored paints and the two proceed to (seductively) cover everything and themselves in paint.
Green Day also made an appearance as a performer on the show. They sang “Father of All…” and “Basket Case.”
“Favorite Rap/HipHop Album” went to Post Malone for “Hollywood’s Bleeding.”
“...I love grapes,” Post Malone said as he ended his acceptance speech.
Cabello performed her solo “Living Proof” in a while light box that depicted the sky and then a flower filled garden that later was a flower garden on fire. Her song started off and sounded innocent but the end was anything but as the dancers seductively danced.
Following Cabello, the Jonas Brothers performed hit song “Only Human,” in Boston, off of their newest album. The crowd was singing so loud that they almost over powered the brothers.
Legend, Carol King, introduced Swift who has a total of 23 AMAs (before 2019).
Leading up to her performance for “Artist of the Decade” various of Swift’s accomplishments were showcased. She opened her set with “The Man” that transitioned into throwback: “Love Story.” Another throwback from her “Red” album was “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Swift's performance was electric and energetic she never slowed down. She performed a medley of songs from the last 10 years which included: “Blank Space,” “Shake It Off,” (where she was joined by friends Cabello and Halsey), and finishing it out with “Lover.”
Swift threw some not so subtle shade at her music manager, Scooter Braun by singing some of her older songs – as they have recently been having a dispute about her music.
Upon receiving her award, Swift shared just how much King and her music meant to her as a person, singer, and songwriter.
“I’m so lucky I get to do this,” Swift concluded her accepted speech with.
“Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Song” went to Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus for “Old Town Road.” Following this award, Christina Aguilera and Great Big World performed their heartfelt ballad: “Fall On Me.”
Post Malone performed number one hit “Circles” before taking the stage with Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott as they sang “Take What You Want” off of new album “Hollywood’s Bleeding.” The three of them gave a truly firey performance.
Following the trio’s performance, Dua Lipa sang her hit song: “Don’t Start Now.”
“Favorite Country Song” nominees included Luke Combs “Beautiful Crazy,” Dan + Shay “Speechless,” and Blake Shelton “God’s Country.” Dan + Shay won the AMA and thanked everyone they needed to in their short time on stage.
The biggest award of the year, “Artist of the Year,” went to Swift as she beat out Drake, Halsey, Ariana Grande, and Post Malone. This marked Swift’s sixth award for the night.
"The last year of my life has had some of the most amazing times and also some of the hardest things I've gone through," Swift said. "I wanted to thank you so much for being the thing that has been a constant in my life.”
Previously, Michael Jackson held the title of having the most AMAs (he had 26). After this years AMAs, Swift now has 29 AMAs.
Shania Twain performed an acoustic medley of hit songs from 21 Pilots, Post Malone, Swift, Drake, and others. Of course, she also performed part of her hit song “Still the One” and then transitioned from acoustic to full band hit songs “Any Man of Mine” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” She closed out her set with “Man! I Feel Like A Woman.”
Twain and Swift embraced on stage as Ciara closed out the show by sharing the news of Swift breaking the AMA record.
If you want to watch this years AMAs. you can on Hulu or ABC.