The 2019 American Music Awards aired live on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The awards recognized the most popular artists and albums of 2019. It was the 47th annual American Music Awards and was hosted by Ciara.
The broadcast opened with Selena Gomez who sang Lose You To Love Me. The cameras showed Taylor Swift jumping and cheering in the audience as Selena continued with Look At Her Now.
Ciara welcomed everyone to the American Music Awards with her opening performance of Melanin.
She said hosting and performing at the awards, “It just feels so good. It feels so surreal.”
Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman was the first presenter. The category, Alternative Rock Artist. The 2019 American Music Award went to Billie Eilish. “I’m like shaking.” She continued, “To be mentioned in this category is insane to me.” She got bleeped out during her speech when she was thanking the fans.
Ciara brought her children on stage and asked them, “Did mommy do good?” The kids were so cute and said, yes.
Favorite Pop/Rock Song was the next category. The 2019 American Music Award went to Halsey for Without Me. She was also censored during her acceptance speech.
Tyra Banks introduced Lizzo. Lizzo sang the hell out of her song, Jerome.
Thomas Rhett sang Look What God Gave Her.
Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello sang Senorita in a very romantic performance as the audience screamed and cheered.
Taylor Swift’s first award of the evening was for Favorite Pop/Rock Album. Taylor won for Lover. She had a long way to go to get to the stage. She thanked all the folks who worked on the album, the record company, and the fans.
Ke$ha and Big Freedia performed Chasing Rainbows. They are an odd duo but one that works. Ke$sha then performed Tik Tok.
Paula Abdul introduced Toni Braxton who performed Unbreak My Heart. It’s been 25 years since Toni won her first American Music Award. She looked fabulous and received a standing ovation for her performance.
Favorite Country Album was the next category. The award went to Carrie Underwood for Cry Pretty. She also won Favorite Female Country Artist. She thanked her children and started to cry as she thanked friends and the fans. “Thank you, fans. Thank you, AMA’s. Thank you, guys.”
Carrie Underwood Wins Favorite Album – Country at the 2019 AMAs – The American Music Awards
Cobie Smulders and Michael Ealy present the award for Favorite Album – Country to Carrie Underwood for her album ‘Cry Pretty’ at ‘The 2019 American Music Awards.’ As a second surprise, they also let Carrie know she won the award for Favorite Female Artist – Country!
BTS won for Tour of the Year and delivered their acceptance speech on tape.
It was time for Billie Eilish to take the stage. She performed Working for Satan with flames burning all over the stage.
The next category was the Collaboration of the Year Award. The 2019 American Music Award went to Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello for Senorita. Camila said, “Thank you so much to all of our fans.”
The 2019 American Music Award for New Artist of the Year went to Billie Eilish. “I want to thank the AMA’s for having me at all.” She also thanked the fans and said they are the only reason she’s alive.
Halsey followed with a performance of her latest hit, Graveyard. It was truly performance art as she poured and smeared paint all over her and the stage.
Billie Eilish returned to introduced Green Day. They performed Father Of All and Basket Case.
Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist was the next one up and the 2019 American Music Award went to Post Malone for Hollywood’s Bleeding. “Words cannot express how thankful and grateful I am.” He also thanked the fans and ended his acceptance speech with, “I love grapes.”
Post Malone Wins Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop at the 2019 AMAs – The American Music Awards
Maya Hawke and Dan + Shay present the award for Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop to Post Malone for his album ‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’ at ‘The 2019 American Music Awards.’ Watch performances and highlights from the 2019 AMAs on ABC.com and in the ABC app!
Billy Porter was the next presenter. His outfit was a showstopper all on its own as he introduced Camila Cabello. She performed Living Proof.
Ciara returned and introduced the Jonas Brothers live from Boston. They performed Let’s Go.
Ciara then introduced the legendary Carol King, and Carol then introduced Taylor Swift. Carol gave Taylor credit for being a great songwriter. Her album sales, tours and a slew of awards have Taylor selling millions. Among many awards, Taylor was Billboard Magazine Women of the Year. She is the youngest to receive the award and she’s received it twice. And now the American Music Awards honored Taylor Swift with the Artist of the Decade Award.
Taylor Swift is Named Artist of the Decade at the 2019 AMAs – The American Music Awards
The legendary Carole King presents the award for Artist of the Decade to Taylor Swift at ‘The 2019 American Music Awards.’ Watch performances and highlights from the 2019 AMAs on ABC.com and in the ABC app!
Taylor started her performance with The Man followed by Love Story and I Knew You Were Trouble and Blank Space. Camila and Halsey joined her for Shake It Off. The audience stood and sang along through all of them.
Taylor then sat at a pink piano and performed Lover. The standing ovation lasted a long time before Carol King presented her the award. Taylor said, “I cannot believe that it’s Carol King who gave me this award.” “All that matters to me is the memories that you and I the fans have had over the years.” “I love you with all of my heart. Thank you AMA’s. I’m so lucky I get to do this.”
Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Song was up next and the Lil Nas X and Billy Rae Cyrus won for Old Town Road. Nas said, “Finally” as he took the award. He said he was sorry Billy could make it.
Lil Nas X Wins Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop at the 2019 AMAs – The American Music Awards
Jharrel Jerome and Megan Thee Stallion present the award for Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop to Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus for ‘Old Town Road’ at the 2019 American Music Awards. Watch performances and highlights from the 2019 AMAs on ABC.com and in the ABC app!
Carrie Underwood returned and introduced A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera performing Say Something. Christina killed it.
Post Malone performed Circles. Ozzy Osbourne brought the flames and joined Post with Travis Scott for Take What You Want.
Dua Lipa followed with “Don’t Start Now.”
Misty Copeland and Ben Black presented the award for Favorite Country Song. The 2019 American Music Award went to Dan + Shay for “Speechless.” They fought through a bunch of star balloons left by Dua to get to the stage and thanked their families and the fans.
Regina King presented the award for Artist of the Year. The 2018 American Music Award went to Taylor Swift. This was certainly Taylor Swifts night.
Taylor jugged Regina and said, “I really don’t have anything articulate to say.” She thanked the fans that have hung in there for 15 years. She said this year has been a lot. “Thank you so much for being there and for caring.” “I’m lucky to be here. I know that every step of the way. Thank you so much.”
Shania Twain performed for the first time in 16 years. She started off slow with Shake it off, God’s Plan, You’re Still The One. But then she stood up and performed Any Man Of Mine and That Don’t Impress Me Much.
Shania did not disappoint and ended with the fan-favorite Man! I Feel Like A Woman.
Ciara closed the show and told Taylor she broke the record for the most AMA wins!
Congratulations to all the 2019 American Music Awards winners!
Tanya Hart
Hollywood Live With Tanya Hart
Follow me on Twitter