Let us all agree on ONE thing right away:
New host next year right?
Mr. Worldwide Pitbull hosted the 2014 American Music Awards (unfortunately) and it brought us a whole slew of amazing performances…and of course the odd dud here & there. Let’s not focus on the negative though right?
It was all about the performances!!
The night kicked off in grand fashion as pop/country/all around fab star Taylor Swift performed her new single “Blank Space” to a killer routine that was giving yours truly some serious shades of true pop realness. Taylor commanded the stage and lit it up with her energy. Check out the performance below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS-t7Ah47oA
There was plenty more from where that came from though!
From Imagine Dragons, to a surprise performance from Lil’ Wayne (and a returning to the stage Christina Milian) to 5 Seconds of Summer, there was music at every turn, but only a few others stood out for yours truly.
Lorde stormed the stage and gave a breakout performance of her new single “Yellow Flicker Beat” from the “Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” soundtrack. The goth diva really channeled her inner dancer as she flailed around the stage and hit the notes to almost perfection. Her energy was almost unmatched throughout the rest of the night. Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljSMgsC_hz4
And now moving on to heartbreaking.
Selena Gomez has come under fire in previous years with her vocal performances. At times, the delivery is there but shaky. Other times, the performances tend to be lip syncing.
American Music Awards 2014 will be the night that changed the haters perception of my beloved Selena Gomez, because she BROUGHT IT to that stage. Singing completely live, Selena bared her soul performing “The Heart Wants What It Wants”. The emotion pouring out of her was almost too much to handle, but yours truly stayed composed…..
Until the end, when the camera panned to BFF Taylor Swift crying in the front row.
See for yourselves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kce2lo425vE
So much emotion.
Bravo Selena.
Back to the show however.
The night continued on with performances by R&B legend Mary J. Blige, powerhouse (and future Grammy winner hopefully) Sam Smith, Charli XCX, and Nicki Minaj featuring Skylar Grey. We of course couldn’t forget the boys of One Direction!
Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall and a recovered Zayn performed their new single “Night Changes” from their new album “FOUR” and all 5 guys sounded incredible!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW8vp1dPojo
Only a few performances left, and it was time for a trio!
Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj performed a MUCH BETTER rendition of “Bang Bang” as opposed to their MTV Video Music Awards one, with all 3 ladies hitting their parts flawlessly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPSAdhqolxs
And how AMAZING were all those dance moves by the stars during Jessie’s intro? Khloe Kardashian getting down, Frankie Grande dancing ridiculously, Taylor and Lorde….
And of course Sam Smith!
With only one fiery performance left on the schedule, there was another piece of business to tend to:
The recipient of the very first Dick Clark Award for Excellence, presented by the iconic, legendary Miss Diana Ross!!
Taylor Swift tearfully accepted the honor (while throwing minor shade at Spotify) while her BFF’s Selena Gomez and Lorde looked on lovingly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdZIf2Lf4iU
And with that my beloved PopWrapped readers:
It was time for…..
THE BOOTY
Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea took to the stage for their performance, but the booty didn’t last long as Jenny from the Block made the stage her own in an explosive choreographed number:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK_cPEL2Fpg
That wraps up the evening folks, but if you came here just to find out who took home a trophy and don’t care about all of the above mentioned performances, here you go!
Artist Of The Year
One Direction
Favorite Album – Country
Brantley Gilbert, Just As I Am
Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop
Iggy Azalea
New Artist Of The Year Presented By Kohl’s
5 Seconds of Summer
Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock
Imagine Dragons
Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock
Katy Perry
Favorite Album – Pop/Rock
One Direction, “Midnight Memories”
Favorite Male Artist – Country
Luke Bryan
Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock
Sam Smith
Favorite Artist – Latin
Enrique Iglesias
Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop
Iggy Azalea, The New Classic
Favorite Band, Duo Or Group – Pop/Rock
One Direction
Single Of The Year
Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J, “Dark Horse”
Favorite Female Artist – Country
Carrie Underwood
Favorite Band, Duo Or Group – Country
Florida Georgia Line
Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B
John Legend
Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B
Beyoncé
Favorite Album – Soul/R&B
Beyoncé, Beyoncé
Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary
Katy Perry
Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
Casting Crowns
Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
Calvin Harris
Top Soundtrack
Frozen
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