2018 American Music Awards
The 2018 American Music Awards opened with 19-time American Music Award winner Taylor Swift. Live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Taylor performed I Did Something Bad. It was a huge stage performance and the audience stood up and gave her a long ovation.
Tracee Ellis Ross hosted for the second year in a row and came out singing and dancing with a dance troupe to Cardi B’s song Bodak Yellow and then she did Childish Gambino’s This Is America and even Aretha’s Respect.
She got tired and wanted to be done but went into Uptown Funk and of course, she ended with Beyoncé’s Run the World – Girls.
Tracee said, “I am not a dancer, just a lady with some moves” as she tried to catch her breath and introduced her TV kids to rate her performance. Her TV daughter and gave her a seven and her TV son gave her a three.
The first category was Favorite Rap Hip-Hop Artist and the 2018 American Music Award went to Cardi B. Go girl!
The audience chanted her name. “My God I’m so nervous. Why am I so nervous?” She thanked everyone including Jesus. “And I really want to thank my daughter.” She said people said her career would be over if she had a baby, and she said, “I had to prove them wrong.” She also thanked her husband Offset.
Twenty-One Pilots performed Jumpsuit.
Favorite Pop-Rock Male Artist was the next category and the winner of 2018 American Music Award was Post Malone. He told the audience he wasn’t very good a speaking, but said, “This is very, very, very, very, cool. Thank you, a love you guys very, very, much.”
The next 2018 American Music Award was for Tour of the Year and the honor went to Taylor Swift. She thanked her tour buds and Camila Cabello.
Maria Carey performed With You and her vocals were in top form.
After a break, Shawn Mendes followed with Zedd and performed Lost In Japan. Ella Mai came next and she performed her super hit Boo’d Up.
Khalid won the 2018 American Music Award for Soul R&B Male Performer. Tracee came out and asked, “Are you a voter? I am.” And encouraged people to vote and wore a t-shirt telling people to get out and vote.
Tracee introduced Cardi B’s performance. She performed I Like It. Offset danced in the audience. She was joined by Bad Bunny and J Balvin. The audience went crazy after that and so did Tracee.
Ashely and Tracee’s brother Evan were the next presenters for Favorite Pop Rock Song and the 2018 American Music Award went to Camila Cabello. “I love my fans, thank you!”
Favorite Country Female Artist went to Carrie Underwood. “Thank you, God, first and foremost.” She thanked her fans and everyone who supported her.
Halsey and Khalid performed Eastside.
The 2018 American Music Award for Adult Contemporary Artist went to Shawn Mendes, his second consecutive win in this category.
The next category was Favorite Pop Rock Duo or Group and the 2018 American Music Award went to the Migos. Good, husband and wife were winners. Carbi was screaming in the audience. Offset made sure to thank his wife.
Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign performed Psycho.
Dua Lipa performed New Rules.
Jennifer Lopez took the stage and performed, and Alex Rodriguez was in the audience with Tracee when Jennifer finished. Tracee said she had one question for him, “What do you do to your skin?” And continued with, “What are your beauty secrets.”
Favorite Soul R&B Album went to XXXTentacion. His mother accepted his award. Very sad.
Camila Cabello followed and performed her song Consequences.
The 2018 American Music Award for Favorite Pop Rock Album went to Taylor Swift. It was certainly her night.
- Favorite Country Male Artist went to Kane Brown.
- Ciara and Missy Elliot team up and torn down! They performed Level Up.
- Tyra Banks announced the 2018 American Music Award for New Artist of the Year Award. The award went to Camila Cabello. She thanked everyone who supports her again and ended her speech with, “Woo I’m speechless. Thanks so much!”
- Carrie Underwood performed “Spinning Bottles.” She sang it beautifully.
- Panic! At The Disco performed Bohemian Rhapsody and did the song justice.
Lenny Kravitz introduced Artist of the Year. The 2018 American Music Award went to Taylor Swift. She did it! She became the most awarded artist in the show’s history with a record-breaking 22 awards. She searched for words and thanked her fans. She also got political in the end and ask folks to get out and vote during the Midterm Elections.
They celebrated the life and music of Aretha Franklin. The 2018 American Music Awards mapped out Aretha Franklin’s long history with the awards, Dick Clark and American Band Stand at the beginning of her career.
After the video tribute, Gladys Knight started the musical portion with Amazing Grace. Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, and Mary Mary joined her and they went straight gospel. The whole room was up and feeling the moment when Tracee said goodnight.
Congratulations to all of the 2018 American Music Awards winners!
Tanya Hart
AURN.Com – Hollywood Live
