American Music Awards 2011
Taylor Swift and Adele tied with three wins at the American Music Awards, but the event belonged to the country superstar after she beat the soulful crooner, as well as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Lil Wayne, to win artist of the year, the ceremony’s highest accolade, which the 21-year-old singer-songwriter previously claimed in 2009.
“This is so crazy” – beamed Swift, who also picked up the trophies for favorite country female artist and favorite country album for “Speak Now.”
Adele had been the night’s leading nominee with four bids, but the soulful singer didn’t have much of a presence during the show – She was absent from the ceremony because she is recovering from recent throat surgery. Adele tied Swift with three awards, nabbing favorite pop/rock female artist, adult contemporary artist and pop/rock album for “21.”
Other winners included Maroon 5 as favorite pop-rock band/duo/group, Beyonce as favorite soul/R&B female artist, Bruno Mars as pop/rock male artist, Foo Fighters as favorite alternative rock artist, Rihanna for favorite soul/R&B album for “Loud,” Hot Chelle Rae as new artist of the year and Lady Antebellum as favorite country band/duo/group.
“We thank you very much for an incredible year” – Lady A singer Charles Kelley told fans.
Nicki Minaj kicked off the 39th annual fan-favorite ceremony with an over-the-top performance that featured the pink-loving singer sporting a pair of speakers on her much-talked about derriere. She later earned two trophies – favorite rap/hip-hop artist, besting a group that included mentor Lil Wayne, and favorite rap/hip-hop album for “Pink Friday.”
“Chase your dreams” – the pink-haired Minaj encouraged the audience. “I never thought this could be possible.”
The sprawling three-hour ceremony inside the Nokia Theatre in an unusually rainy Los Angeles was drenched with musical performances, including Justin Bieber getting into the holiday spirit amid a forest of neon lights with “Under the Mistletoe,” and Kelly Clarkson channeling the big-band era with a swinging rendition of “Mr. Know It All.”
Taylor Swift.
Even though the American Music Awards have always lived in the imposing shadow of the Grammys, there was a time, back when Dick Clark truly ran the show, that the awards meant a little something and even fostered events such as We Are the World.
But now they’re just a glorified People’s Choice Awards.
Anyway, for those who care, Taylor Swift was the big winner with three AMAs: Artist of the Year, Best Country Female Artist and Country Album. The excitable country princess said one of the smartest things of the night to her fans… she thanked them not only for remembering her lyrics, but “for caring about lyrics.”
In a year of “Party Rock Anthem”s and various will.i.am virtual concoctions, she makes a valid point.
The show aired live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. A list of winners is at the end of this post, but first, let’s take a look at some high and low lights.
Let’s Make a Deal Award: Dear Maroon 5. Congrats on your first-ever American Music Award. I’m sorry it wasn’t for one of your decent songs, like “This Love” or “Makes Me Wonder,” but if it had to be for the worst song you’ve ever recorded, how about this: Now that’s you’ve won an award for and performed the ingratiating “Moves Like Jagger” on the AMAs, how about I never have to hear it again until the Grammys?
Who Knew The Jetsons Were Still Cool? Award – To Justin Bieber, for his Elroy-esque space suit getup during “Under the Mistletoe.” At least there was something to distract from his strained performance of the weakest track on his otherwise solid Christmas album.
The Why Oh Why? Award – So Chris Brown is a blond again. Wasn’t a good look the first time. Hasn’t improved this time. But hearing him sing for once (“All Back”) instead of being Auto-Tuned into the ground was… oh, wait, there it is, the inevitable electronic vocal manipulation on “Say it With Me.”
Most Sincere Acceptance Speech – For those ready to throttle Taylor Swift the next time she feigns shock at being popular, let’s all appreciate J. Lo for acknowledging her publicly tumultuous year: “It’s been up and down and exciting and overwhelming and so many things…I’m grateful for all of my blessings.” She then delivered a portion of her speech in Spanish – fitting, since her award was for Best Latin Artist. That almost makes up for…
Nicki Minaj opened the ceremony at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre performing her hit “Super Bass,” backed by French DJ David Guetta and dressed in a metallic outfit that turned her into a human audio system.
It began a winning night for Minaj who managed a clean sweep of the rap/hip-hop awards, taking home Best Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album for “Pink Friday.”
“This one could actually make me cry” – Minaj said, while accepting her second trophy.
Jennifer Lopez dazzled in a flesh-colored catsuit covered in strategically placed diamantes as she performed a medley of her songs with rapper Pitbull – who later performed alongside Lopez’s ex-husband Marc Anthony – before picking up the Favorite Latin Artist award.
“Everybody says it but I didn’t expect to win” – Lopez said as she collected her award.
“It’s been a really amazing year in so many ways … exciting and overwhelming. I’m so grateful for all my blessings. Thank you to my family and my beautiful babies who inspire me every day.”
Beyonce, who is pregnant with her first child, was not present at the awards but sent a message of thanks after picking up Best Female Soul/R&B Artist, while Nashville-based pop rock band Hot Chelle Rae won Best New Artist.
Katy Perry collected a surprise award of achievement for becoming the first woman to score five number one singles from the same album – “Teenage Dream” – after performing her song “The One That Got Away” while dressed in a pink “Star Trek”-esque dress paired with her pink hair.
Christina Aguilera also provided a surprise, joining Maroon 5 on stage as they performed “Moves Like Jagger,” after the band picked up their first ever AMA award – for Best Pop/Rock Group.
“To get one of these, you have to have loyal fans” – frontman Adam Levine said of the awards, which are voted by members of the public.
Paying tribute to his fans, Bruno Mars won Best Pop/Rock Male Artist and thanked “his family back home in Hawaii,” while Rihanna won Best Soul/R&B Album for “Loud” and Usher collected Best Soul/R&B Male Artist.
Brad Shelton won Best Male Country Artist and Lady Antebellum collected the gong for Best Country Album.
The ceremony closed with LMFAO performing their hit “Party Rock Anthem,” with the band joined on stage by Justin Bieber, David Hasselhoff and YouTube sensation Keenan Cahill.