Last night, the world’s biggest artists and pop culture icons came together to honor idols, newcomers and record-breakers at the “2019 American Music Awards,” which is voted on entirely by fans.
AMA nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring.
These measurements are then tracked by Billboard and its data partners, reflect the time period of September 28, 2018 through September 26, 2019.
Multi-platinum selling artist Ciara hosted the show, and kicked the night off with an electric performance of her new single, Melanin.
Taylor Swift Named Artist of the Decade
In one of the most talked about musical performances of the year, Artist of the Decade Award recipient, Taylor Swift, brought the house down with a medley of her biggest hits from the past ten years including The Man, Love Story, I Knew You Were Trouble, Blank Space, Shake It Off, where she was joined by Halsey and Camila Cabello, and Lover.
She accepted her award with an impassioned speech, telling her fans that all artists want to do is “create something that will last,” and thanking them for the “fun, incredible, exhilarating times” and countless memories they have shared together over the years.
ALSO READ: K-Pop Star Goo Hara dead at 28
Having won six awards tonight, Swift also broke Michael Jackson’s long-standing record of most American Music Award wins of all time; she now tops the list with a total of 29.
Selena Gomez delivered an emotional opening to the show, taking the stage for the first time in two years for the world television premiere of her new songs, Lose You To Love Me and Look At Her Now.
There were performances for everyone, featuring newcomers and American Music Awards veterans alike.
Breakout artist Billie Eilish crushed her very first award show performance, with a fiery rendition of all the good girls go to hell.
Superstar Lizzo graced the AMA stage for the first time with a passionate performance of her single Jerome. T
Three-time American Music Award winners, Green Day, celebrated the 25th anniversary of their legendary 1994 album, Dookie, with a performance of Basket Case as well as their latest hit, Father of All…
Toni Braxton celebrated the 25th anniversary of her first AMAs performance, and had the audience singing along to her chart-topping hits Breathe Again and Unbreak My Heart.
The night was also filled with incredible collaborations including the world television premiere of Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World’s new single Fall On Me, plus an electrifying performance from Post Malone featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott and WATT for the world television premiere of their new song Take What You Want.
The show included additional knockout performances from Camila Cabello with Living Proof, Shawn Mendes & Cabello with Señorita, Dua Lipa with Don’t Start Now, Halsey with Graveyard, Kesha feat. Big Freedia with Raising Hell and TiK ToK and Thomas Rhett with Look What God Gave Her.
The night ended on a high, with the entire audience on their feet for Shania Twain’s return to the American Music Awards stage for the first time in 16 years. The country icon performed a crowd-pleasing medley of her biggest hits: You’re Still the One, Any Man of Mine, That Don’t Impress Me Much and Man! I Feel Like A Woman!
A big winner with two new trophies tonight, presenter, Carrie Underwood, now holds the record for most wins in the Favorite Album – Country category, surpassing legend Kenny Rogers, with whom she was previously tied.
Not The Lowest Rating, but…
Despite all of the star power on stage for the AMA’s, the ratings were less than something to sing about. Unless you are looking for the blues.
According to The Wrap, the 2019 AMAs posted a 1.75 rating/7 share among adults 18-49, down a bit from last year’s 1.82 rating — the awards show’s previous record low.
Last night’s celebration of pop music drew 6.733 million total viewers, up 2% from the prior year’s 6.585 million.
One of the reasons — football. NBC’s Sunday Night Football dominated yet again.
AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS 2019 WINNERS:
Artist of the Decade
Taylor Swift
Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift
New Artist of the Year
Billie Eilish
Collaboration of the Year
Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – Señorita
Tour of the Year
BTS
Favorite Music Video
Taylor Swift – You Need to Calm Down
Favorite Social Artist
BTS
Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock
Khalid
Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock
Taylor Swift
Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock
BTS
Favorite Album – Pop/Rock
Taylor Swift – Lover
Favorite Song – Pop/Rock
Halsey Without Me
Favorite Male Artist – Country
Kane Brown
Favorite Female Artist – Country
Carrie Underwood
Favorite Duo or Group – Country
Dan + Shay
Favorite Album – Country
Carrie Underwood – Cry Pretty
Favorite Song – Country
Dan + Shay – Speechless
Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop
Cardi B
Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop
Post Malone – Hollywood’s Bleeding
Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road
Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B
Bruno Mars
Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B
Beyoncé
Favorite Album – Soul/R&B
Khalid – Free Spirit
Favorite Song – Soul/R&B
Khalid – Talk
Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock
Billie Eilish
Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary
Taylor Swift
Favorite Artist – Latin
J Balvin
Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
Lauren Daigle
Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
Marshmello
Favorite Soundtrack
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
SOURCE: American Music Awards
