Host Jennifer Lopez kicked off the American Music Awards in a dance routine that highlighted some of the year’s biggest hits, including songs from Justin Bieber and Nicki MInaj — who sat in the audience.
Lopez danced to songs like “Where Are U Now,” ”Anaconda,” ”Uptown Funk!” and “Hotline Bling” at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday and impressively sang in almost a cappella form.
The night will also feature other A-list performances: Carrie Underwood, Coldplay, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Gwen Stefani and Luke Bryan will hit the stage.
Prince, who earned a rousing applause, presented the first award of the night to the Weeknd for favorite album — soul/R&B for “Beauty Behind the Madness.”
“Make some noise for Prince, ladies and gentlemen,” said the singer, who will perform later in the show.
Bieber, who also is set to perform, already has room to celebrate: Billboard announced Sunday his new album, “Purpose,” will debut at No. 1 on its charts Monday after selling 649,000 equivalent albums. It beat out One Direction’s “Made In the A.M.,” which sold 459,000 equivalent albums.
One Direction, who will also hit the stage, is nominated for artist of the year, pitting the group against Grande, Bryan, Minaj and Taylor Swift.
Swift has had the most successful year of the bunch, thanks to her top-selling album “1989” and hits like “Bad Blood” and “Black Space.” She is the leading nominee with six including song and collaboration of the year for “Bad Blood” with Kendrick Lamar, favorite female artist — pop/rock, favorite album — pop/rock for “1989” and favorite artist — adult contemporary.
Behind Swift with five nominations are Sheeran and the Weeknd, who had a breakout year with the No. 1 hits “The Hills” and “Can’t Feel My Face.” The latter is competing for song of the year against Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” Swift’s “Bad Blood,” ”See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth, and Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk!”
The night will take an emotional turn when Celine Dion honors the victims of the recent attacks in Paris when she sings Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à L’Amour” in French.
Other performers Sunday include 5 Seconds of Summer, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Walk the Moon, Meghan Trainor and Puth.
Minaj, Trainor, Sam Smith, Sam Hunt and Walk the Moon are nominated for three awards apiece.
The fan-voted show is airing on ABC.
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Online:
http://www.theamas.com/
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