One consistent shining star throughout the night was Nicki Minaj, who took home the awards for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for “The Pinkprint”. Plus, 1D performed their latest single, Perfect.
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Swift picked up three awards despite not being at the ceremony. “It’s a testament to how incredible our fans are”, Louis Tomlinson said.
Though 1D earned loud applause, the night was about girl power.
2 – The Performances – Alanis, Bieber, Meghan and More! The singers made out onstage after singing their song, “Marvin Gaye“, which features the lyrics: “Let’s Marvin Gaye and get it on”. Favorite male country artist victor Luke Bryan commented that the “smooch” kept rolling after the commercial break started. Ed Sheeran won Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist, ? while Ariana Grande won Favourite Pop/Rock Female Artist.
The 46-year-old star donned a sequined bodysuit to open the show with a slowed-down version of her 1999 hit “Waiting For Tonight” but insisted she wasn’t looking for applause.
The evening ended with a three-song medley by comeback kid Justin Bieber, riding high on the success of his new album, Purpose, which topped the USA charts last week. Florida Georgia Line won the favorite duo or group award and the favorite album prize also went to the group for their work “Anything Goes”.
Swift is the top nominee with six, thanks to her top-selling album “1989” and hits like “Bad Blood” and “Black Space”. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) Singer Carrie Underwood poses backstage with her award for Favorite Country Female Artist during the 2015 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California November 22, 2015.
The Weeknd was also nominated for Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year, and his hit “Can’t Feel My Face” was nominated for Song of the Year.
Harry Styles added: “To everyone who worked with us and has supported us for the last five years, thank you all, you are brilliant to work with and we love you all”. The Weeknd also took the favorite album award in that category for his work “Beauty Behind the Madness“.
“Tonight we honour the victims of the unimaginable violence that took place in Paris and around the world”, said Leto, who sings with rock band 30 Seconds to Mars.
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But it was Dion who delivered the moment of the night, with an emotional tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks with a rendition of Edith Piaf’s “Hymne a L’Amour” alongside a montage of Parisian landmarks, leaving much of the audience in tears.
