The 2016 American Music Awards took place on November 20, 2016 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The star-studded event was filled with fashion, music, and recognition for the year's top musicians. The show was hosted by Jay Pharaoh and Gigi Hadid. Gigi's multi-shade red dress is not the best dress she wore throughout the evening. Her impersonation of Malia Trump was spot-on, making the audience laugh. The hosts made sure to put the election aside to focus on the music of 2016.
Bruno Mars performed "24k Magic." This song was performed in true Bruno Mars fashion. A group of dancers backed him up as he performed one of his latest hits. Niall Horan performed "This Town." While the background was static and boring, the emotion and story of the song made up for it. Fifth Harmony performed "That's My Girl." The band entered on a platform in nooses while singing the song about rising from challenges. The Chainsmokers and Halsey performed "We Ain't Never Gettin' Older." This song was so much fun and the audience seemed to really enjoy it. James Bay performed "Let It Go." The whole band got into this song emotionally. Even the drummer made some intense faces while performing. Shawn Mendez performed "Treat You Better." The sound of the song was incredible. However, the background was a bit distracting, taking attention away from the song. The Weeknd performed "Starboy." The background illusion of him being in a hall or cave of crystals looked really awesome. His voice sounded awesome.
Arianna Grande and Nicki Minaj performed "Side to Side." This performance is what people have come to expect from Grande and Minaj. The scene of the beach was cool. John Legend performed "Love Me Now." The stage effects for this song were spectacular. The images that were occasionally in the background were beautiful and fitting.This song is perfect timing for everything that has happened this year. Twenty One Plots performed "Stressed Out." The stage setup looked like a typical rock concert but then evolved into something more intense. The song was fitting as it took a look at current events issues. Justin Bieber performed "Let Me Love You." Fans in the audience had physically evident emotional reactions to this song.
Lady Gaga performed "Million Reasons" off her latest album. She played her own guitar. The stage setting looked like she was sitting in the country with stars up above and grass all around. Green Day performed "Bang Bang." The rebellious song was fired up with fire bursts and angry political yelling. It was a passionate performance. Sting performed a medley of his greatest hits. The audience was on their feet the whole song. This came before he received the AMA Award of Merit. DJ Khaled performed "I Have the Keys." Nicki Minaj joined them on stage for the performance and the audience loved it. Maroon Five and Kendrick Lamar performed "Don't Wanna Know." This song was the first time a band teamed up with a solo artist to perform on television. The song was the finale of the 2016 American Music Awards.
Twenty One Pilots won Favorite Pop Rock Duo or Group. This is their first AMA award. Drake won Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album for "Views." This is his first AMA award.The Chainsmokers won Favorite Electronic Dance Music Artist. This is their first AMA award. Fifth Harmony and Ty Dolla $ign won Collaboration of the Year for "Work From Home." Tim McGraw won Favorite Country Song for "Humble and Kind." This is his 11th AMA award. Zayn won New Artist of the Year. This is his first solo AMA award nomination and win.
Drake won Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist. "Purple Rain" won Best Soundtrack. This is the third time "Purple Rain" won an AMA. Florida Georgia Line won Favorite Country Duo or Group. This is the band's fifth AMA award. Twenty One Pilots won Favorite Alternative Rock Artist. Sting won the American Music Award of Merit. Selena Gomez won Favorite Female Artist- Pop Rock. This is her first AMA award. Arianna Grande won Artist of the Year.
