By Armando
dick clark productions
It was a night full of great music and stars on Sunday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles for the 45th annual American Music Awards.
Jamie Fox and his daughter Corinne Foxx opened the show with a powerful tribute to tragedy victims and first responders. “This year, more than perhaps any other in recent history, we needed the power of music to help us escape the news of the day,” said Foxx. “We needed the power of music to help us heal. 2017 was a year that tested our faith. In these moments of crisis, heroes emerged.” Foxx and his daughter were joined by a group of first responders the tragedies that occurred throughout the year.
He then closed with a hopeful message. “For even as we mourn those who are lost, we know this, together our strength will pull us through, together we shall overcome the pain, together we can unite as a people and a nation.”
Pink and Kelly Clarkson took the state in their first ever performance together with an emotional rendition of “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. During one of the night’s highlights, Pink performed her latest ‘Beautiful Trauma’ while hanging from the side of the high-rise JW Marriott Hotel alongside acrobatic dancers. Prior to the performance, Pink stated on her Instagram during rehearsals that the gravity-defying performance is making her nervous. “This is by far the craziest, most insane thing I’ve ever attempted to do,” Pink said. “This is the first time that I’ve ever panicked.”
Legendary singer Diana Ross made a rare appearance to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award. Barack and Michelle Obama and Taylor Swift delivered their message via videos. “You have paved the way for everyone who does what we do now, including me, so thank you,” says Swift.
The iconic former lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes performed some of her hits “I’m Coming Out” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” among others. “This is all about love. This says it all. This is my family. And I’m sending love out there to all of you, each and every one of you, of our global family. I feel so humbled by this,” says Ross while accepting the award.
The night also saw performances from Selena Gomez with Marshmello on drums, Lady Gaga performing from her show in Washington, D.C., Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, Christina Aguilera, Niall Horan, Macklemore and Skylar Grey, Alessia Cara with Zedd on the piano, K-pop boy band BTS, Shawn Mendes, and Portugal. The Man, as well as collaborations from Imagine Dragons and Khalid, Hailee Steinfeld with Alesso, Andrew Watt and Florida Georgia Line, and Bebe Rexha with Florida Georgia Line.
Here’s the list of the night’s big winners:
Artist of the year:
Bruno Mars
New artist of the year presented by T-mobile:
Niall Horan
Collaboration of the year presented by Xfinity:
“Despacito” Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber
Tour of the year:
Coldplay
Favorite female artist — pop rock:
Lady Gaga
Favorite duo or group — pop/rock:
Imagine Dragons
For a full list of winners, head over to: theamas.com
