2015 American Music Awards
The 2015 American Music Awards opened with Jennifer Lopez performing Waiting for Tonight. She started out soft and slow before saying, “Wait, tonight is not about me. Tonight is about the music,” and then broke into a typical Lopez dance performance with a stage full of dancers performing fast routines to several of the songs nominated for American Music Awards.
Prince Thrills
After Jennifer’s opening performance, the audience went wild as Prince took the stage to present the first Award of the evening for best Soul R&B Album. Wearing his signature three lenses glasses, Prince said, “And the winner is” followed by The Weeknd’s name splashed across the screen. The Weeknd rattled off the names of all the folks he struggled to remember and ended his acceptance speech by thanking his mother before saying, “Bye.”
Jennifer Returns
Jennifer then took on hosting duties and came back to the stage to welcome the audience to the 2015 American Music Awards and said how excited and honored she was to host the awards. She remembered all the great performers on past shows and welcomed the second presenters of the evening, Hannah Davis and Wiz Khalifa. They introduced 5 Seconds of Summer singing Hey Everybody.
The show went straight into the next performance which was Selena Gomez performing Same Old Love. They censored the word ‘sh_t’ in her lyrics. Network TV still isn’t ready for that yet.
It’s Still One Direction
Nicki Minaj was the next presenter in a barely-there dress for the Pop/Rock Duo or Group category. And the American Music Award went to One Direction. It was their sixth American Music Award of their fast-moving five-year career. They didn’t rattle off a lot of industry names during their acceptance speech but did thank their fans.
Jenny McCarthy was the next presenter and she introduced Carrie Underwood’s performance of Heartbeat. Underwood was followed by Demi Lovato singing Confident. She had the audience on their feet.
The show kept moving with Megan Trainer performing Like I’m going to Lose You. She was joined by Charlie Puth and they sang Marvin Gaye Let’s Get It On and ended with a very long (somewhat awkward) kiss.
The next award was the Country Male category and the American Music Award went to Luke Bryan, his fourth in that category.
Jennifer introduced Ariana Grande for her performance of Focus On Me. She wasn’t wearing her signature ponytail, maybe because she was in character for the opening of her song. Her lyrics were also censored for network television.
Tyrese Gibson and Wilmer Valderrama were the next presenters for Top Sound Track. The American Music Award went to Pitch Perfect 2. All the stars of the movie took the stage to accept the award. Anna Kendrick pulled out a piece of paper and said, “I know this is annoying, but bear with me.” She wanted to make sure she got through her speech, and it wasn’t a list of ‘thank you’s.’
Gigi Hadid and Kylie Jenner were the next presenters for favorite Rap Hip-Hop Album. The American Music Award went to Nicki Minaj. Her fifth American Music Award so far. She did a little dance up to the mike. “Thank you so much for being so sweet tonight.” She also said she personally feels she has the best fans on the planet.
Zendaya was up next. She introduced One Direction performing Baby I’m Perfect. Alicia Silverstone and Jeremy Silverstone of ‘Clueless’ followed and they introduced Gwen Stefani who performed her emotional hit Use to Love You.
Nick Jonas Does Three
The new band DNCE introduced Nick Jonas. He performed three of his hits from this year. He started with Chains, went into Levels, and played the piano and the drums before ending with Jealous. He performed Jealous with a full choir and had the audience on their feet.
Jennifer returned to announce the nominees for New Artist of the Year and the viewers voted for Sam Hunt. The next performance came from Walk the Moon with Shut Up and Dance.
Paula Abdul and Donnie Wahlberg took the stage together. They announced the nominees for favorite Pop Rock Female. The award went to Ariana Grande, her second so far. She was surprised to win and at a loss for words. She said,” I didn’t think about this part.” She must have let a bad word slip during her acceptance speech because she was censored too.
Fall Out Boy were the presenters for the performance by Cold Play. They performed Adventure of a Lifetime, and dancers dressed as gorillas performed with Chris Martin throughout the song.
Favorite Country Female winner was Carrie Underwood, her ninth American Music Award. She said she was so thankful, and thanked her son, husband and fans.
The Weeknd Was on Fire
Jennifer returned, of course in a new gown each time. This time before the performance by The Weeknd who sang his hit The Hills. The stage was on fire, literally, throughout his performance. He was censored as well.
Sean Puffy Daddy Combs took the stage next. He came to present the Collaboration of the Year Award. The American Music Award went to Skrillex and Diplo with Justin Bieber for Where Are You Now. This was Justin Bieber’s eighth AMA.
Little Big Town introduced Luke Brian performing Home Alone Tonight. He performed with their band member Karen Fairchild. They were followed by a performance by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
Favorite Alternative Rock Artist category was next, and the AMA went to Fall Out Boy. It was their first American Music Award. “Wow, crazy” were their first words, and they thanked their fans.
Anna Kendrick was next to introduce Alanis Morissette with Demi Lovato who perform You Oughta Know. The audience stood through the entire song.
Favorite Rap Hip-Hop Artist was the next AMA, and Nicki Minaj won again. This makes it six. She won this category in 2011 and 2012. She thanked the AMA’s for being supportive of her career. She also thanked Lil Wayne, Drake, Chris Brown and Meek Mill. She also gave a shout-out Fetty Wap for his incredible success. She looked concerned when leaving the stage about the names she may have forgotten.
Paris is Remembered
The tragedy in Paris was recognized with an outpouring of support for the people with a moving performance by Celine Dion. Images of Paris flashed across the screen behind her and people in the audience couldn’t hold back their tears.
The show came back with a clip of Star Wars before Harrison Ford took the stage. He paid tribute to the many musical scores of John Williams. The Penatonic’s followed with an A Capella performance of the Star Wars theme accompanied by a full orchestra.
The next category was favorite Soul R&B Male performer and The Weeknd took the prize. His second of the evening, and again he thanked his fans.
Next was the Artist of the Year Award, and the AMA went to One Direction. This is their second year to win this award.
Bieber Takes it Away
Ciara followed to introduce the finale performance by Justin Bieber to close the show. He started with What Do You Mean and went into Where Are U Now. The audience was dancing now. Then the rain began to fall all over him, the stage and his dancers as they splashed through a lot of water singing Sorry. The audience went crazy.
Jennifer signed off thanking the AMA’s and the folks responsible for her wardrobe.
It was a great show! If you missed it make sure to catch the rerun of the 2015 American Music Awards.
Tanya Hart
