A Recap Of The 2020 American Music Awards: Wildest Moments, Best Looks, Winners & More

Between the star-studded guest list and the show-stopping performances, the 2020 American Music Awards was definitely a night to remember!

Nov 23, 2020
American Music Awards 2020

Between the star-studded guest list and the show-stopping performances, the 2020 American Music Awards was definitely a night to remember! Yep, the event took place on Sunday, November 22 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, CA, and from wild outfits to the emotional speeches — boy, did a lot go down.

Taraji P. Henson hosted the glamorous awards show, and so many big stars took home awards this year, including Taylor Swift, BTS, Harry Styles, The Weeknd, Cardi B, the Jonas Brothers, Lady Gaga and more. Plus, Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa and more hit the stage to sing their hearts out, and they seriously slayed their performances.

Missed the event?! Not to worry, you guys, because we went ahead and recapped everything that went down. From the full list of winners to the most talked-about moments, here’s what you missed…

Taylor Swift Threw Low-Key Brought up Her Scooter Braun Feud

After Swift won the award for Artist of the Year, a video flashed across the screen of the “Lover” songstress. In it, she explained that she couldn’t attend the event in person because she was busy working in the studio.

“The reason I’m not there tonight is, I’m actually rerecording all of my old music in the studio where we originally recorded it. So it’s been amazing. And I can’t wait for you to hear it,” the blonde beauty explained.

As fans know, last year, Scooter Braun bought her old record label — Big Machine Records — and the rights to her first six albums, and at the time, Swift was not happy about it. In a lengthy post, she slammed him online and accused him and his clients of bullying her. Earlier this month, she announced that she was going to re-record all her old songs in an attempt to “regain the sense of pride she once had” when hearing her songs.

Dua Lipa Soared Through The Air During Her Performance

Lipa took her song “Levitating” to the next level — literally! While performing the hit at the event, she was lifted into the air and soared high above the stage! Plus, Perry performed for the first time since becoming a mom, and boy, was it magical.

The Weeknd, Doja Cat and Bebe Rexha, Billie Eilish, Dan + Say, Lewis Capaldi, Machine Gun Kelly, BTS, Jennifer Lopez and Maluma, Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez, Megan Thee Stallion, Nelly, Lil Baby and Bell Biv DeVoe also hit the stage during the awards show.

Justin Bieber And Shawn Mendes Sang Their New Song For The First Time

But that’s not all. Mendes and Bieber also took to the stage to perform their new song, “Monster,” for the first time ever! For those who missed it, the track dropped on Friday, November 20, and it’s still on repeat, TBH. Bieber opened the show, and also performed a medley of more songs, including “Lonely” and “Holy.”

The Weeknd Wore Bandages On His Face

Many fans were left seriously confused when The Weeknd attended the event with bandages all over his face. It turns out, the musician is not injured, but instead, he dressed up as the persona he created for his latest album, After Hours. For those who dno’t know, The Weeknd made short films for his songs “Blinding Lights” and “After Hours,” and in them, he showcased the dangers of drunk driving by getting into a car accident.

Megan Fox And Machine Gun Kelly Made Their Red Carpet Debut As A Couple

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly have been dating since the summer, but have yet to attend an event together. Until now, that is! Yep, they made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2020 AMAs, and they looked fabulous together.

Becky G Made History With Her Win

Singer Becky G made history at the show when she won the award for Favorite Female Artist – Latin. This is the first year the Favorite Female Artist – Latin category has been included at the AMAs, so it’s seriously a big deal. 

“It all started when my grandpa crossed over, and one day I’m going to be a crossover, and it’s crazy because today, I still carry that same sentiment,” the star said in her acceptance speech. “Except, I don’t have to do the cross over because we are the cross over. When it comes to me and the decisions I make in my career, I proudly wave both flags – Mexican and American – and children and grandchildren of immigrants… We have seen what sacrifice and hard work looks like. I dedicate this award to all the immigrant workers in this pandemic, the students, and immigrant families.”

Here’s the full list of winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Justin Bieber

Post Malone

Roddy Ricch

WINNER: Taylor Swift

The Weeknd

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Lewis Capaldi

WINNER: Doja Cat

DaBaby

Lil Baby

Roddy Ricch

Megan Thee Stallion

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR

Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”

DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar”

WINNER: Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours”

Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, “Rain On Me”

Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé, “Savage Remix”

FAVORITE SOCIAL ARTIST

WINNER: BTS

Billie Eilish

EXO

Ariana Grande

NCT 127

FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO

Doja Cat, “Say So”

Future ft. Drake, “Life Is Good”

Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, “Rain On Me”

WINNER: Taylor Swift, “cardigan”

The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK

WINNER: Justin Bieber

Post Malone

The Weeknd

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK

Dua Lipa

Lady Gaga

WINNER: Taylor Swift

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK

WINNER: BTS

Jonas Brothers

Maroon 5

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK

WINNER: Harry Styles, Fine Line

Taylor Swift, 

folklore

The Weeknd, 

After Hours

FAVORITE SONG – POP/ROCK

Lewis Capaldi, “Someone You Loved”

WINNER: Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”

Post Malone, “Circles”

Roddy Ricch, “The Box”

The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

WINNER: Kane Brown

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

Gabby Barrett

Miranda Lambert

WINNER: Maren Morris

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY

WINNER: Dan + Shay

Florida Georgia Line

Old Dominion

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY

Luke Combs, What You See Is What You Get

WINNER: Blake Shelton, Fully Loaded: God’s Country

Morgan Wallen, 

If I Know Me

FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY

WINNER: Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours”

Maren Morris, “The Bones”

Blake Shelton (Duet with Gwen Stefani), “Nobody But You”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP

DaBaby

WINNER: Juice WRLD

Roddy Ricch

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP

Cardi B

WINNER: Nicki Minaj

Megan Thee Stallion

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP

Lil Baby, My Turn

Lil Uzi Vert, 

Eternal Atake

WINNER: Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial

FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP

WINNER: Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP”

DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar”

Roddy Ricch “The Box”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B

Chris Brown

John Legend

WINNER: The Weeknd

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B

Jhene Aiko

WINNER: Doja Cat

Summer Walker

FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B

Doja Cat, Hot Pink

Summer Walker, 

Over It

WINNER: The Weeknd, After Hours

FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B

Chris Brown ft. Drake, “No Guidance”

Summer Walker, “Playing Games”

WINNER: The Weeknd, “Heartless”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – LATIN

WINNER: Bad Bunny

J Balvin

Ozuna

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – LATIN

WINNER: Becky G

KAROL G

Rosalía

FAVORITE ALBUM – LATIN

Anuel AA, Emmanuel

Bad Bunny, 

Las que no iban a salir

WINNER: Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG

FAVORITE SONG – LATIN

Bad Bunny, “Vete”

Black Eyed Peas X J Balvin, “RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)”

WINNER: Karol G & Nicki Minaj, “Tusa”

FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK

Billie Eilish

Tame Impala

WINNER: twenty one pilots

FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY

Lewis Capaldi

WINNER: Jonas Brothers

Maroon 5

FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

WINNER: Lauren Daigle

for KING & COUNTRY

Kanye West

FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)

Kygo

WINNER: Lady Gaga

Marshmello

FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK

WINNER: Birds of Prey: The Album

Frozen II

Trolls: World Tour

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