A near-endless stream of performances and stars took over the Microsoft Theatre venue Sunday night for the high energy American Music Awards telecast.
Host Jennifer Lopez kicked off the show with an intricate dance routine set to the year’s most popular songs. “Tonight’s not about me; tonight’s about the music,”; she reminded the crowd at the top of the telecast. “Do you want to dance with me?”;
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The first award of the night, Favourite R&B/Soul Album, was handed out by Prince to Toronto-born The Weeknd. The award marked his first AMAs win ever! He then returned to the stage, twice, to deliver a fiery (literally!) performance of his hit “The Hills,” and later, picked up another AMA for Favourite Soul R&B Male Artist.
One Direction also took home two AMAs, include the honour of the night — Artist of the Year. After losing out to Justin Bieber for the no. 1 spot on the charts, the win is a small consolation prize for the Brits. The “Drag Me Down”; singers were also awarded top prize for Favourite Pop/Rock duo or group — their third win in this category so far. “To say that we have won this award for three years on a bounce is a pretty incredible thing to be able to say. It’s as simple as this: we won’t be able to do this without our fans,”; Niall Horan told fans.
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Nicki Minaj managed to keep things drama-free on Sunday night. She did away with her MTV Music Award antics, and instead, delivered some wise and thoughtful words as she accepted prizes for Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Album. “Please find your voice and find your purpose before it’s too late,” she advised her fans.
The biggest upset of the night was delivered by Sam Hunt, who beat out The Weeknd, Fetty Wap and Walk The Moon for Favourite New Artist of The Year. The win prompted many viewers to take to Twitter wondering who the artist was?
Guys, who is Sam Hunt? #AMAs
— Phillip Picardi (@pfpicardi) November 23, 2015
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This is who won… Sam Hunt pic.twitter.com/aURv2NvO4w
— of coarse (@InsomniacDraws) November 23, 2015
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Chart topper Justin Bieber along with Skrillex and Diplo took the AMA stage to accept their award for Collaboration of the year. The Canadian pop star made it rain (really!) with an amazing medley of his latest hits “What Do You Mean,” “Where Are U Now” and “Sorry.”
And though they decided to skip the show, rumoured on-and-off couple Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris each won an award of their own. Swift fans voted her Favourite Contemporary Artist of the Year while Harris won for Favourite Electronic Dance Music Artist.
Check out the complete list of winners below:
Artist of the Year: One Direction
Favorite Soul/R&B Album: The Weeknd — “Beauty Behind the Madness”;
Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Nicki Minaj — “The Pinkprint”;
New Artist of the Year: Sam Hunt
Favorite Pop/Rock Duo or Group: One Direction
Favorite Country Male Artist: Luke Bryan
Top Soundtrack: “Pitch Perfect 2″
Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist: Ariana Grande
Favorite Country Female Artist: Carrie Underwood
Collaboration of the Year: Skrillex & Diplo, featuring Justin Bieber –”Where Are U Now”;
Favorite Alternative Pop/Rock Artist: Fall Out Boy
Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist: The Weeknd
Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
Favorite Pop/Rock Album: Taylor Swift — “1989”;
Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist: Rihanna
Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Country Duo or Group: Florida Georgia Line
Favorite Latin Artist: Enrique Iglesias
Favorite Electronic Dance Music Artist: Calvin Harris

