Singers Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and country duo Dan + Shay have emerged top winners at American Music Awards (AMAs) 2020, earning three trophies each at this year’s hybrid edition.
The award ceremony was hosted by “Empire” star Taraji P Henson at Microsoft Theater for a live broadcast on Sunday night, which was attended by a limited audience of invited guests in small groups from the same families, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
At the beginning of the show, Henson said the audience members were sitting in a socially distanced manner and were tested for COVID-19. The small crowd, wearing masks in the balcony, was shown applauding and cheering throughout the show.
Swift, who didn’t attend the show in person, scooped up prize of the night – artist of the year – and another two AMAs for the favourite music video for “Cardigan” as well as favourite female artist – pop/rock.
In a video acceptance speech, she said she was busy re-recording her earlier albums in the studio where she originally recorded them. She holds the record for most AMA career wins by a single artist with 32.
The Weeknd earned three trophies in the soul/R&B category for favourite male artist, favourite album for “After Hours‘”, and favourite song for “Heartless”.
He accepted the award for “After Hours” ahead of his performance wearing bandages that covered his entire face apart from his mouth and nose, and dedicated it to Prince, noting he had last accepted the award from the late musician.
Duo Dan + Shay bagged two awards for their song “10,000 Hours” featuring Justin Bieber in the collaboration of the year and favourite song – country categories. They were also adjudged favourite duo or group – country.
Rapper Doja Cat won two awards: new artist of the year and favourite female artist – soul/R&B.
K-pop sensation BTS, who were the closing act at the ceremony performing from their native South Korea, won two AMAs for favourite social artist and favourite duo/group – pop/rock.
Dua Lipa won the award for favourite song – pop/rock for her song “Don’t Start Now” and Harry Styles won his first solo AMA for “Fine Line” that was named favourite album – pop/rock.
“WAP”, arguably this year’s most explosive track by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, won the title of favourite song – rap/hip hop.
Nicki Minaj and Juice WRLD won the favourite artiste female and male, respectively, in the rap/hip hop category.
Roddy Ricch earned favourite album – rap/hip hop for “Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial”.
The ceremony also featured performances from Megan Thee Stallion, Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Lopez, Maluma, Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes, among others.
See the full list of nominees and winners indicated in bold.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Justin Bieber
Post Malone
Roddy Ricch
Taylor Swift (WINNER)
The Weeknd
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lewis Capaldi
Doja Cat (WINNER)
DaBaby
Lil Baby
Roddy Ricch
Megan Thee Stallion
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar”
Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours” (WINNER)
Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, “Rain On Me”
Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé, “Savage Remix”
FAVOURITE SOCIAL ARTIST
BTS (WINNER)
Billie Eilish
EXO
Ariana Grande
NCT 127
FAVOURITE MUSIC VIDEO
Doja Cat, “Say So”
Future ft. Drake, “Life Is Good”
Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, “Rain On Me”
Taylor Swift, “Cardigan” (WINNER)
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
FAVOURITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Justin Bieber (WINNER)
Post Malone
The Weeknd
FAVOURITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Dua Lipa
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift (WINNER)
FAVOURITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
BTS (WINNER)
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5
FAVOURITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
Harry Styles, “Fine Line” (WINNER)
Taylor Swift, “Folklore”
The Weeknd, “After Hours”
FAVOURITE SONG – POP/ROCK
Lewis Capaldi, “Someone You Loved”
Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now” (WINNER)
Post Malone, “Circles”
Roddy Ricch, “The Box”
The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
FAVOURITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Kane Brown (WINNER)
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
FAVOURITE FEMALE ARTIST- COUNTRY
Gabby Barrett
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris (WINNER)
FAVOURITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY
Dan + Shay (WINNER)
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion
FAVOURITE ALBUM – COUNTRY
Luke Combs, “What You See Is What You Get”
Blake Shelton, “Fully Loaded: God’s Country” (WINNER)
Morgan Wallen, “If I Know Me”
FAVOURITE SONG – COUNTRY
Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours” (WINNER)
Maren Morris, “The Bones”
Blake Shelton (duet with Gwen Stefani), “Nobody But You”
FAVOURITE MALE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
DaBaby
Juice WRLD (WINNER)
Roddy Ricch
FAVOURITE FEMALE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
Cardi B
Nicki Minaj (WINNER)
Megan Thee Stallion
FAVOURITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
Lil Baby, “My Turn”
Lil Uzi Vert, “Eternal Atake”
Roddy Ricch, “Please Forgive Me For Being Anti Social” (WINNER)
FAVOURITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP” (WINNER)
DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar”
Roddy Rich, “The Box”
FAVOURITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Chris Brown
John Legend
The Weeknd (WINNER)
FAVOURITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Jhene Aiko
Doja Cat (WINNER)
Summer Walker
FAVOURITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
Doja Cat, “Hot Pink”
Summer Walker, “Over It”
The Weeknd, “After Hours” (WINNER)
FAVOURITE SONG – SOUL/R&B
Chris Brown ft. Drake, “No Guidance”
Summer Walker, “Playing Games”
The Weeknd, “Heartless” (WINNER)
FAVOURITE MALE ARTIST – LATIN, PRESENTED BY CHEETOS
Bad Bunny (WINNER)
J Balvin
Ozuna
FAVOURITE FEMALE ARTIST- LATIN, PRESENTED BY CHEETOS
Becky G (WINNER)
Karol G
Rosalía
FAVOURITE ALBUM – LATIN, PRESENTED BY CHEETOS
Anuel AA, “Emmanuel”
Bad Bunny, “Las Que No Iban A Salir”
Bad Bunny, “YHLQMDLG” (WINNER)
FAVOURITE SONG – LATIN, PRESENTED BY CHEETOS
Bad Bunny “Vete”
Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin, “RITMO (Bad Boys for Life)”
Karol G & Nicki Minaj, “Tusa” (WINNER)
FAVOURITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Billie Eilish
Tame Impala
Twenty One Pilots (WINNER)
FAVOURITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Lewis Capaldi
Jonas Brothers (WINNER)
Maroon 5
FAVOURITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Lauren Daigle (WINNER)
For King & Country
Kanye West
FAVOURITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
Kygo
Lady Gaga (WINNER)
Marshmello
FAVOURITE SOUNDTRACK
“Birds of Prey: The Album” (WINNER)
“Frozen 2”
“Trolls: World Tour”
