American Music Award WInners

The American Music Awards, the biggest fan-voted music celebration, aired live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles at 8 pm EST on ABC. This year, R&B star Ciara took on the hosting duties. (She previously co-hosted the 2016 Billboard Music Awards with Ludacris).

Selena Gomez kicked the party off with a smoking “Lose You to Love Me,” and yes, the crowd was there for it, singing, clapping and dancing along. Social media … less so, with many asking “who told Selena to sing live?”

Taylor Swift, with 23 AMAs under her belt before the show kicked off, surpassed Michael Jackson‘s previous record of 24, winning 26 with this year’s Artist of the Decade, Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Artist of the Year. This was Swift’s fifth win for Artist of the Year. Billie Eilish also won big, snagging New Artist of the Year and Favorite Alternative Artist.

Going in, Post Malone led the charge with seven nominations, with Ariana Grande and first-time nominee Eilish following with six each. Swift was also up for Artist of the Year against Malone, Grande, Halsey and Drake.

HIGHLIGHTS

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Billie Eilish got the party rolling and set off the bleep-o-meter while accepting the award for Best Alternative Artist.

Halsey gave an impassioned speech saluting the American Music Awards, the only “fan-voted” awards show. As she says, it’s the fans who keep the music industry humming … and their appreciation means everything.

That time Swift low-key slammed Scooter Braun by thanking Universal and Republic for giving her the freedom to flex her creative muscle. “This album really felt like a new beginning, and I also really love my record label, Universal and Republic. Monte Lipman, Lucian Grange, thank you for being so generous to me and allowing me to make whatever music I want to make,” she said onstage. “As a songwriter it’s so thrilling to me that I get to keep doing that. And I’m so excited I get to perform for you all later.”

Kesha gently poked fun at Kanye West by introducing her own “Sunday Service” with “Raising Hell.”

Following some serious drama between Scooter Braun, Scott Borchetta and her former record label Big Machine, Swift performed a medley of hits, including “Love Story,” “Blank Space” and “Shake It Off” … with a decidedly feminist girl-power bent, somehow making it both fierce and completely adorable. And yes, she came onstage wearing the names of the albums she wants back from Braun on her shirt. Halsey, Camila Cabello and Misty Copeland-yep, that Misty Copeland, the first African American woman to perform as principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre‘s 75-year history-joined her onstage to sing, celebrate and dance.

PERFORMANCES

Lizzo brought passion, style, heartbreak and red-hot glam with “Jerome.”

Thomas Rhett told us, “Look What God Gave Her.”

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello mesmerized the crowd with a sensual and slow “Senorita.”

Kesha showed us how beautiful “Raising Hell” can be.

Toni Braxton reminded us why still love her with “Un-break My Heart.”

Billie Eilish set the stage on fire with “All the Good Girls Go To Hell.”

Halsey dug deep in “Graveyard.”

Green Day made it cool to be a “Basket Case” again in celebration of the 25^th anniversary of Dookie.

Camila Cabelo had everyone singing “Hallelujah” with “Living Proof.”

The Jonas Brothers claimed they were “Only Human.” The shrieks of delight seemed to tell a different story.

Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World showed how to “Fall on Me.”

Post Malone, featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott and Watt told us to “Take What You Want” as they set the stage on fire and threw guitars around.

“Don’t Start Now,” Dua Lipa told us.

Shania Twain returned to the AMAs for the first time in 16 years with a medley of her hits and others.

WINNERS

ALTERNATIVE ARTIST: Billie Eilish

FAVORITE SONG – POP ROCK: Halsey, “Without Me”

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP / ROCK: BTS

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY: Dan + Shay

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK: Taylor Swift, Lover

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY: Carrie Underwood, Cry Pretty

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY: Carrie Underwood

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR: Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello, “Seorita”

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Billie Eilish

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP: Post Malone, Hollyood’s Bleeding

FAVORITE SONG- RAP/HIP-HOP: Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road”

FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY: Dan + Shay, “Speechless”

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift