Billie Eilish takes top prize at American Music Awards
'This is so crazy. I feel speechless,' Eilish said in a video message from Europe, where she is on tour. 'I wish I could be there tonight.' Eilish, 23, released her third studio album, 'Hit Me Hard and Soft,' in May 2024. 'That's So True' singer Gracie Abrams, winner of new artist of the year, also sent a recording to accept her honor. She thanked her fans, who she said 'I have been lucky enough to learn from.'
US singer Becky G accepts the Favorite Female Latin Artist onstage.
US singer Benson Boone performs onstage.
US singer Jennifer Lopez speaks onstage as she hosts the 51st American Music Awards at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, Nevada.
US country singer Lainey Wilson performs onstage.
US singer SZA accepts the Favorite Female R&B Artist onstage.
Cuban-US singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan performs onstage.
US singer songwriter Janet Jackson accepts the ICON Award onstage.
'They have reminded me of the light that exists out there,' Abrams said. SZA took home AMA accolades for female R&B artist and for R&B song for 'Saturn.' Becky G was named favorite female Latin artist. Many big names on the nominees' list did not attend the show, which was broadcast live on CBS PARA.O from the Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel.
One absentee was Beyonce who claimed favorite female country artist and favorite country album for 'Cowboy Carter,' her first AMA wins in country categories. Post Malone was named favorite male country artist. Other no-shows included Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar.
US singer Janet Jackson performs onstage.
Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of musical duo Dan Shay accept the award for Favorite Country Duo or Group onstage.
US youtuber and singer Alex Warren performs onstage.
British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award, flanked by his children (back) onstage.
British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart performs after accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award onstage.
US singer Becky G poses with the award for Favorite Female Latin Artist.
Lamar went into the ceremony with a leading 10 nominations. He earned one award, favorite hip-hop song, for 'Not Like Us.' The festivities opened with host Jennifer Lopez singing and dancing to a six-minute medley of 23 hits by the nominees. The songs included Eilish's 'Birds of a Feather,' Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso' and Beyonce's 'Texas Hold 'Em.'
Janet Jackson was honored with the Icon award, a tribute for artists with global influence. 'I don't consider myself an icon,' Jackson said on stage. 'The one thing that I hope for is that I'm an inspiration for others to follow their dreams and succeed.' Eighty-year-old Rod Stewart received a lifetime achievement honor and danced and sang to his pop hit 'Forever Young,' which was released in 1984. Stewart said that when he started his career 'I had this burning ambition to sing.' 'That's all I wanted to do. I didn't want to be rich or famous,' he said. — AFP
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