Pink, Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera led female artists of pop music dominating the American Music Awards stage on Sunday with powerful performances, despite being edged out by male artists in most award categories this year.
Bruno Mars won Artist of the Year, former One Direction member Niall Horan won New Artist of the Year and Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, Justin Bieber and Daddy Yankee won Collaboration of the Year for the catchy “Despacito.”
The women of pop delivered the night’s biggest moments.
Pink and Kelly Clarkson sang REM’s “Everybody Hurts,” dedicated to first responders and victims of the recent hurricanes and wildfires that have ravaged parts of the United States.
Pink later performed aerial acrobatics from a high-rise building while singing “Beautiful Trauma.”
Lady Gaga performed “The Cure” from the Washington D.C. stop of her tour, playing on a Perspex piano and then dancing as sparks rained down on stage. She won favorite female pop/rock artist.
“Just remember that if you feel different or not understood, don’t you dare give up on who you are, fight like hell for what you believe in,” Lady Gaga said.
Motown superstar Diana Ross received this year’s lifetime achievement award with video tributes from Barack and Michelle Obama and Taylor Swift. Ross performed a medley of her hits including “I’m Coming Out,” “Take Me Higher” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
“I feel so humbled by this,” Ross said, surrounded by her family on stage.
The fan-voted American Music Awards show, televised on ABC, features performances from pop music’s biggest names.
Actress Viola Davis paid tribute to the late Whitney Houston and the 25th anniversary of Houston’s film “The Bodyguard,” as Christina Aguilera belted a medley of hits from the film. Houston died in 2012 aged 48 after drowning in a hotel bathtub.
Demi Lovato, who was accompanied by newly-elected Virginia legislator Danica Roem, the first openly transgender person to win a state legislative seat, performed her latest hit “Sorry/Not Sorry.”
Selena Gomez sang “Wolves” with DJ Marshmello, Alessia Cara and DJ Zedd performed a stripped down version of their dance track “Stay” and Hailee Steinfeld joined DJ Alesso, country duo Florida Georgia Line and musician Watt for “Let Me Go.”
Korean boy band BTS garnered some of the loudest screams from the audience as they performed “DNA” on a neon-lit stage.
Linkin Park was named best alternative rock artist, a bittersweet win for the band after the July suicide of frontman Chester Bennington.
The band dedicated the win to Bennington and “his memory, his talent, his sense of humor, to his joy.”
Following are winners in key categories.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bruno Mars
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Niall Horan
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
“Despacito” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
TOUR OF THE YEAR
Coldplay
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars
AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Diana Ross
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST -POP/ROCK
Bruno Mars
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Lady Gaga
FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
Imagine Dragons
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
“24K Magic” – Bruno Mars
FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Linkin Park
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Keith Urban
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Carrie Underwood
FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY
Little Big Town
FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY
“Ripcord” – Keith Urban
FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban
FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
The Chainsmokers
FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
Drake
FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
“DAMN.” – Kendrick Lamar
FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP
“I’m the One” – DJ Khaled feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Bruno Mars
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Beyonce
FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
“24K Magic” – Bruno Mars
FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars
