The City of Angels was full of glitz, glamour and OMG moments, as the 2013 American Music Awards exploded from the Nokia Theater.
Of all the events that took place, there were a few that stood out among others.
This year’s festivities were hosted by Miami born rapper Pitbull, who returned midway through the show to perform “Timber” with pop singer Ke$ha.
Katy Perry’s set everything off, as she opened with her new song, “Unconditionally”. With a beautiful and creative Japanese inspired performance, Perry dressed as a Geisha girl.
A comedic Justin Timberlake picked up the first award of the evening for Favorite Male Pop Rock Artist for his massive banger “Suit and Tie”
Jennifer “J-Lo” Lopez performed a jaw dropping tribute to the late Celia Cruz, complete with the Cuban legend’s trademark salsa routines and an array of vibrantly colorful outfits.
Rihanna’s mother, Monica Braithwaite Fenty, presented her daughter with the first ever Icon Award, after an emotional performance of her massive hit “Diamonds”. During her endearing speech, the Barbados beauty stated that she couldn’t believe that she was receiving such a high honor at the age of 25. Afterwards she thanked her die-hard fans for sticking by her through the good times and bad.
The crowd went wild, and experienced a piece of rock history when Rock goddess Joan Jett, along with Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl, took the stage to present alternative rock band – the Imagine Dragons with the Favorite Artist Award.
Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas of the mega girl group TLC reunited to perform their crossover hit “Waterfalls” with
rapper/actress Lil Mama standing in for the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.
The always exciting Lady Gaga and the musically gifted R-Kelly did an Oval Office inspired performance of her new hit” Do What You Want”
Miley Cyrus closing performance of her smash “Wrecking Ball” in front of an outer space-themed big screen which featured a giant video kitten mimicking her lyrics. Cyrus was the picture of provocative perfection in a 2-piece feline print leotard.
Clad in a Julien McDonald metallic gold mini-dress, Taylor Swift, who was one of the night’s biggest winners, took home the Artist of the Year for the 3rd time. Wow! – is all that I can say.
In case you
missed it, here’s a full run down of this year’s winners:
Favorite Male Pop Rock Artist – Justin Timberlake
Favorite Female Artist, Soul/R&B – Rihanna
Favorite Album, Country – “Red,” by Taylor Swift
Favorite Album, Rap/Hip-Hop – “The Heist,” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Favorite Artist, Alternative Rock – Imagine Dragons
Favorite Artist, Latin – Marc Anthony
Favorite Album, Pop or Rock – “Take Me Home,” by One Direction
New Artist of the Year, presented by Kohl’s – Ariana Grande
Favorite Male Artist, Soul/R&B – Justin Timberlake
Favorite Female Artist, Country – Taylor Swift
Single of the Year – “Cruise,” by Florida Georgia Line, featuring Nelly
Favorite Album, Soul/R&B – “The 20/20 Experience,” by Justin Timberlake
Favorite Artist, Electronic DanceMusic (EDM) – Avicii
Favorite Artist, Adult Contemporary – Maroon 5
Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational – Matthew West
Top Soundtrack – Pitch Perfect
Favorite Male Artist, Country – Luke Bryan
Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Pop or Rock – One Direction
Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Country – Lady Antebellum
Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift
I can’t wait to see what musical magic 2014 will bring!