The 2016 American Music Awards ushered the best in the music industry, with many of the brightest artists taking the stage to perform and to receive their much-deserved honors last November 20.
On Sunday, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber were just a few of the pop stars who graced the AMAs stage while model Gigi Hadid and stand-up performer/rapper Jay Pharoah took turns hosting the big-name event.
Bruno Mars, decked out in ‘90s-inspired tracksuits, kicked off the night as he sang a lively cover of ‘24K Magic’ off his latest album with the same title.
Hosts Pharoah and Hadid welcomed the audience at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, assuring the crowd that the night will only revolve around one thing- music.
“Don’t worry guys tonight we do not have to deal with the electoral college, so…,” the 21-year-old model quipped.
“Tonight, it’s all about the music,” her comedian co-host added.
Pharoah, who gained popularity for his impersonations during his time on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ delivered a Jay-Z impersonation while Hadid offered her own take on Melania Trump.
The voice actor also made an impersonation of singer John Legend and, later on, Donald Trump while stating: “I love Bruno Mars. I don’t know what color he is so I can’t deport him.”
The first award, which recognized the Pop Rock Duo or Group of the year, was presented by Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae and Octavia Spencer. Twenty One Pilots joined the ladies on stage as they took home the award.
Performances in between receiving the awards included One Direction member Niall Horan, who was presented by Sara Foster and Erin Foster, and sang ‘This Town.’
Girl group Fifth Harmony also impressed the crowd with their theatrical performance that entailed flames, singing ‘That’s My Girl.’
The Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album was presented by Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough, and was received by Drake for his ‘Views’ album. The rapper raked in 13 nominations for Sunday’s event.
“Me and Nina were on ‘Degrassi’ together -- we’ve come a long way,” Drake happily acknowledged Dobrev as he picked up his first American Music Award.
The Chainsmokers and James Bay also went ahead to perform for the crowd, singing ‘Closer’ and ‘Let It Go,’ respectively. The Chainsmokers later on went up the stage once more to receive the AMAs for the electronic dance music category.
“For those of you over 60, EDM is not a medical condition. Electronic music dance music is incredibly addictive and what we’re celebrating in this category,” singer Ciara joked before handing over the honors to the duo.
Not to be outdone, audience members Heidi Klum, DJ Khaled, Matt Bomer and Frankie Grande took part in the widely popular social media trend and did their best for the mannequin challenge, with which they were joined by Pharoah.
The LGBT community was well represented, with transgender model Gigi Gorgeous taking the lead. She, along with singer Bebe Rexha, presented Shawn Mendes to the audience for his performance of ‘Treat You’ and ‘Mercy.’ Gigi also had a special message to all viewers, saying: “Today marks the end of transgender awareness week, which celebrates people for who they are and who they’re meant to be.”
Other recipients of the AMAs 2016 include Fifth Harmony and Ty Dolla $ign for their collaboration, ‘Work From Home’ and Tim McGraw for his country song ‘Humble and Kind.’
The Weeknd performed ‘Starboy’ that brought the crowd into huge cheers. He was also nominated for three awards this year. This was the singer’s third time to perform on the AMAs stage; he previously sang his hit single ‘The Hills’ last year and ‘Love Me Harder’ with Ariana Grande in 2014.
Grande was also present this year to perform ‘Side to Side’ with Nicki Minaj on a palm-covered platform complete with shirtless male dancers, after being introduced by Hadid’s fellow model and good pal, Karlie Kloss.
The following is the list of all nominations and winners for the 2016 American Music Awards.
Favorite Artist — Alternative Rock
Coldplay
Twenty One Pilots (winner)
X Ambassadors
Favorite Duo or Group — Country
Zac Brown Band
Florida Georgia Line (winner)
Old Dominion
Top Soundtrack
Purple Rain (winner)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Suicide Squad: The Album
Favorite Artist — Rap/Hip-Hop
Drake (winner)
Fetty Wap
Future
New Artist of the Year Un-Leashed By T-Mobile
Alessia Cara
The Chainsmokers
DNCE
Shawn Mendes
Zayn (winner)
Favorite Song — Country
Florida Georgia Line, “H.O.L.Y”
Tim McGraw, “Humble And Kind” (winner)
Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man”
Collaboration of the Year
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Fifth Harmony Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, “Work From Home” (winner)
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”
Meghan Trainor Featuring John Legend, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You
Favorite Artist — Electronic Dance Music
The Chainsmokers (winner)
Calvin Harris
Major Lazer
Favorite Album — Rap/Hip-Hop
Drake, Views (winner)
Drake & Future, What A Time To Be Alive
Fetty Wap, Fetty Wap
Favorite Duo or Group — Pop/Rock
The Chainsmokers
DNCE
Twenty One Pilots (winner)
Artist of the Year
Adele
Beyoncé
Justin Bieber
Drake
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande (winner)
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
Carrie Underwood
The Weeknd
Tour of the Year
Beyoncé (winner)
Madonna
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
Video of the Year
Justin Bieber, “Sorry” (winner)
Desiigner, “Panda”
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work”
Favorite Male Artist — Pop/Rock
Justin Bieber (winner)
Drake
The Weeknd
Favorite Female Artist — Pop/Rock
Adele
Selena Gomez (winner)
Rihanna
Favorite Album — Pop/Rock
Adele, 25
Justin Bieber, Purpose (winner)
Drake, Views
Favorite Song — Pop/Rock
Adele, “Hello”
Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself” (winner)
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Favorite Male Artist — Country
Luke Bryan
Thomas Rhett
Blake Shelton (winner)
Favorite Female Artist — Country
Kelsea Ballerini
Cam
Carrie Underwood (winner)
Favorite Album — Country
Luke Bryan, Kill The Lights
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Carrie Underwood, Storyteller (winner)
Favorite Song — Rap/Hip-Hop
Desiigner, “Panda”
Drake, “Hotline Bling” (winner)
Fetty Wap, “679”
Favorite Male Artist — Soul/R&B
Chris Brown (winner)
Bryson Tiller
The Weeknd
Favorite Female Artist — Soul/R&B
Beyoncé
Janet Jackson
Rihanna (winner)
Favorite Album — Soul/R&B
Beyoncé, Lemonade
Rihanna, Anti (winner)
Bryson Tiller, T R A P S O U L
Favorite Song — Soul/R&B
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla, “One Dance”
Rihanna Featuring Drake, “Work” (winner)
Bryson Tiller, “Don’t”
Favorite Artist — Adult Contemporary
Adele (winner)
Rachel Platten
Meghan Trainor
Favorite Artist — Latin
J Balvin
Enrique Iglesias (winner)
Nicky Jam
Favorite Artist — Contemporary Inspirational
Lauren Daigle
Hillsong United (winner)
Chris Tomlin
