2016 American Music Awards Winners List and Live Blog

UPDATE: Carrie Underwood missed out on winning Artist of the Year, but she won Favorite Female Country Artist and Best Country Album for Storyteller. Also, Blake Shelton won Favorite Male Country Artist. He wasn’t around to pick his award up either.

Justin Bieber won several awards, as did Rihanna and Blake.

Click to Watch 2016 American Music Awards Performances: Fifth Harmony, Niall Horan, Maroon 5, Sting, Green Day, Lady Gaga and MORE.

The show, hosted by Gigi Hadid and Jay Pharoah will be joined by performers including  James Bay, Justin Bieber, Fifth Harmony, Lady Gaga, Green Day, Niall Horan, John Legend, Bruno Mars, Shawn Mendes, Twenty One Pilots, The Weeknd, special duets from The Chainsmokers and Halsey, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, Maroon 5 with Kendrick Lamar, and “The American Music Award of Merit” honoree and performer Sting.

The hosts begin way up in the nosebleeds, where they introduce the first act, Bruno Mars. He performs the new single, “24K Magic.”  Simple production. Just Bruno and his peeps. Next…a dance breakdown! IT’S THE 70’s ya’ll. The end.

Gigi and Jay take the stage. Gigi Hadid. Why? I imagine Jay will be carrying her all night. Electoral college jokes. Sigh. Give it a rest. Gigi already stumbling over her words. She’s terrible. Drake has the most nominations of any single artist ever on the AMAs. Oh no. Gigi’s doing impressions. Melania Trump. Blargh. And Jay pulls out his D. Trump impression

First Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae and Octavia Spencer, stars of the movie Hidden Figures hands out Favorite Pop Rock duo or Group to Twenty One Pilots. It was up on the screen before the trio had a chance to announce it. They thank their fans “And to everyone else…who cares.”

Aaron Foster and Sarah Foster, from some VH1 show are next. The introduce One Direction singer, Niall Horan performs his new single “This Town.”  It’s just Niall and an acoustic band. The sparkle has not arrived yet. Good job, Niall!

And another X Factor alum, Fifth Harmony is next. The descend from the ceiling on a platform onto a dystopian set, recreating their music video for “That’s My Girl.” Fierce!

Julianne Hough and Nina Dobrev hand out Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album to Drake for Views. He mentions that he starred on DeGrassi Jr. High with Nina. Ha ha. 

Next Chainsmokers with Halsey and Travis Barker perform their massive hit “Closer.” Dumbest lyrics ever.  “We ain’t ever getting older.” Ha ha. Yes you are. If you’re lucky. 

Right after comes James Bay performing “Let it Go.”  AMAs so far are pretty mellow. There’s yet to be a major stage production with dancers and pyro and what not. Here’s ANOTHER pop rock acoustic performance. The MVAa literally had NO quiet performances. It was huge productions and a million Rihanna performances. And the ratings were not good. 

Bebe Rexha and Gigi Gorgeous are next. Hey guess what It’s the end of Transgender Awareness Week. And Bebe is about to have a major wardrobe malfunction. They introduce Shawn Mendes. He’s a little hoarse. Once again! One dude on stage. He’s singing his single “Treat You Better.” After, he sits at the keys to perform “Mercy.”

Cierra informs “people over 60” that EDM is not a medical condition. HAR DEE HAR HAR. She presents Favorite Electronic Dance Music Artist to The Chainsmokers.  LOTS OF SWEARING. They thank the AMAs for televising their award. Unlike those other shows. 

After the break, The Weeknd takes the stage to perform his single “Starboy.” He performs standing in an ice cube tunnel. It’s like a fun house! 

Miss America Savie Shields and Florida Georgia Line are on stage. They hand out Collaboration of the Year to Fifth Harmony and Ty Dolla $ign for “Work from Home.” Yay! The girls take the stage to thank the fans.  All five girls want to speak, but they’re being played off. Sorry gals. Ty didn’t get to speak. 

TJ Miller and Olivia Munn are next to present Favorite Country Song to Tim McGraw for “Humble and Kind.” It’s his 11th AMA win!  He’s in the house to accept his award. 

It’s supermodel and Taylor Swift squad member, Karlie Kloss to introduce the Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj song “Side to Side.” Oh look. Almost half way through and the dancers finally arrive.  Nicki Minaj spreads her legs and grabs her vagina! OK then. 

Comedy pit! Jay Pharoah parodies Taylor Swift’s Apple commercial on the treadmill. He comes out to console the stunt person who performed the fall. And then, it’s Drake’s new Apple commercial. Product placement.

Best New Artist goes to One Direction singer, Zayn.  “This one just has my name on it, right?” Ha. “I didn’t expect anyone to still vote for me,” he says. Also, bleeps. 

Chrissie Teigan introduces her hubby John Legend… She’s censored too. It’s the love of Chrissie’s life, singing his hit “Love Me Now.”  Aw. The performance ends with a photo of John and Chrissie kissing their little daughter. 

Back from break and we go immediately to Milla Jovovich introducing  Twenty One Pilots performance of  “Heathens.” The entire band wears black stocking caps over their heads. 

Keke Palmer and Steven Yeung (RIP Walking Dead!) present Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist to….Drake. Who do you think? It’s his second award tonight. 

Bella Thorne and Rachel Platten are next to introduce Justin Bieber performing LIVE from Europe. Teens in the audience crying! I wonder if he’ll stop and lecture tonight? That would be hilarious. He sings “Let Me Love You.”   With his new haircut Justin is a dead ringer for Ellen DeGeneres. AM I WRONG? 

Rebecca Romijn and Heidi Klum presents Top Soundtrack to the Purple Rain soundtrack. I’m confused. It’s over 30 years old? Prince’s sister accepts the award on the late musician’s behalf. She talks abut how prolific he was. Not mentioned: All those songs in the vaults will be released. 

Matt Bomer is next. He’s handsome! He introduces his American Horror Story co-star, Lady Gaga. She performs “Million Reasons.” Gaga strums an electric guitar as she sings. Bare feet and leather fringe!

Not missing the lack of pyro and dry ice tonight. No I’m not.

Idina Menzel and Mark Cuban are here.  Mark’s looking forward to NOT being invited to the inauguration. Ha. Indina gives a big ole shout out to Hamilton. She expects scary theater people won’t be invited either. They present Favorite Country Duo or Group to Florida Georgia Line. They thank their LORD and SAVIOR. 

Zoe Saldana hands out Favorite Alt/Rock  Artist–after blathering on about how alt rock is rock or something–to Twenty One Pilots. Hm. All those nominees are actually pop rock bands? But OK.  The band snarks that they won because Coldplay couldn’t make it.

Jay launches into his Kanye West impersonation before introducing Green Day. OK. They’re pretty mainstream, but I’d call Green Day Alternative Rock. They perform their latest song “Bang Bang.” They scream “NO TRUMP NO KKK NO FASCISTS USA.” I smell another tweet storm coming later on tonight! Go Green Day. 

Robert Downey Jr takes the stage to introduce Sting, who is being honored with “The American Music Award of Merit” award. Let’s see a clip first. Dude has won a ton of awards! First, Sting performs a medley of his beloved hits.  Oh look. Selena Gomez is in the audience. Guess she’s out of rehab. As he accepts his award he thanks the American musicians that brought us rock and roll. “My musical soul is all American,” he says. 

Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled, Future, Ricky Rozay and August Alsina perform “Do You Mind.”

Blake Jenner and Hailee Steinfeld present Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist to Selena Gomez. The singer explains why she had to leave. Keeping it together while playing a game she did not want to play was too much for her. “I don’t want to see your naked bodies on Instagram,” she says. And, as she chokes up a little, promises that if you are broken there is a way to heal.

Jenny McCarthy and husband Donny Wahlberg present Artist of the Year to…Ariana Grande. DONUTS FOR EVERYONE. Her entire family is there, including granny. I’m guessing the winners know it. 

Supermodel Hannah Jeter introduces the T MOBILE FINALE. Maroon 5 and Kendrick Lamar perform their big hit “Don’t Wanna Know.”

And that’s the damn end!

Winners List

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Justin Bieber
• Selena Gomez
• Ariana Grande – WINNER
• Rihanna
• Carrie Underwood

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR UN-LEASHED BY T-MOBILE

• Alessia Cara
• The Chainsmokers
• DNCE
• Shawn Mendes
• ZAYN – WINNER

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR

• The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
• Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
• Fifth Harmony Featuring Ty Dolla $ign “Work From Home” WINNER
• Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”
• Meghan Trainor Featuring John Legend “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”

TOUR OF THE YEAR

• Beyoncé – WINNER
• Madonna
• Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Justin Bieber “Sorry” – WINNER
• Desiigner “Panda”
• Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK

• Justin Bieber – WINNER
• Drake
• The Weeknd

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK

• Adele
• Selena Gomez  – Winner
• Rihanna

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK

• The Chainsmokers
• DNCE
• Twenty One Pilots – WINNER

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK

• Adele “25”
• Justin Bieber “Purpose” – WINNER
• Drake “Views”

FAVORITE SONG- POP/ROCK

• Adele “Hello”
• Justin Bieber “Love Yourself” – WINNER
• Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

• Luke Bryan
• Thomas Rhett
• Blake Shelton – WINNER

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Cam
• Carrie Underwood – WINNER

FAVORITE DUO or GROUP – COUNTRY

• Florida Georgia Line – WINNER
• Old Dominion
• Zac Brown Band

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY

• Luke Bryan “Kill the Lights”
• Chris Stapleton “Traveller”
• Carrie Underwood “Storyteller” – WINNER

FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY

• Florida Georgia Line “H.O.L.Y.”
• Tim McGraw “Humble And Kind” – WINNER
• Thomas Rhett “Die A Happy Man”

FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP

• Drake – WINNER
• Fetty Wap
• Future

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP

• Drake “Views” – WINNER
• Drake & Future “What A Time To Be Alive”
• Fetty Wap “Fetty Wap”

FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP

• Desiigner “Panda”
• Drake “Hotline Bling” – WINNER
• Fetty Wap “679”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B

• Chris Brown – WINNER
• Bryson Tiller
• The Weeknd

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B

• Beyoncé
• Janet Jackson
• Rihanna – WINNER

FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B

• Beyoncé “Lemonade”
• Rihanna “Anti” – WINNER
• Bryson Tiller “T R A P S O U L”

FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B

• Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
• Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work” – WINNER
• Bryson Tiller “Don’t”

FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK

• Coldplay
• Twenty One Pilots – WINNER
• X Ambassadors

FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY

• Adele – WINNER
• Rachel Platten
• Meghan Trainor

FAVORITE ARTIST – LATIN

• J Balvin
• Enrique Iglesias – WINNER
• Nicky Jam

FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

• Lauren Daigle
• Hillsong UNITED – WINNER
• Chris Tomlin

FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)

• The Chainsmokers – WINNER
• Calvin Harris
• Major Lazer

TOP SOUNDTRACK

• Purple Rain – WINNER
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens
• Suicide Squad: The Album