Keith Girard
Rapper Nicki Minaj kick started the American Music Awards’ long list of performances last night (Nov. 20) with an electrifying version of her hits “Super Bass” and “Turn Me On.” It was billed as a night of collaborations.
In one of the more unusual pairings, rock band Maroon Five, led by frontman Adam Levine, joined with pop star Christina Aguilera for the award winning song “Moves Like Jagger.”
Levine cut to another part of the stage to join Gym Class Heroes to sing “Stereo Hearts.”
Maroon 5 won the night’s award for best pop or rock group and Bruno Mars won in a surprise victory the AMA trophy for best male artist.
Jennifer Lopez, 42, also stole the show with collaborations with Pitt Bull and Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am.
In one of the show’s more crass moments, Lopez was also joined on stage by a Fiat automobile. She’s currently promoting them in the United States.
Not surprisingly, the show cut to a Fiat commercial featuring, who else, Lopez. Now you know where the music industry is heading.
In what must have been an emotional moment, Rihanna won best R&B album for Loud, topping ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, who was up for his album F.A.M.E.
The Band Perry sang “If I Die Young,” followed by Brown who performed his hit song “All Back.”
Brown, who was introduced by rapper “Fifty Cent.” also sang “Say It With Me.”
Usher was named favorite R&B male artist and Beyonce won for best female artist.
Kelly Clarkson followed with her hit song, “Mr. Know It All” with its pointed message to the media.
Justin Bieber performed his holiday song “Under the Mistletoe,” bringing the audience to its feet.
He paired up with girlfriend Selena Gomez and they sat next to Swift in the front row for most of the night.
In what had to be another emotional moment, Lopez’s ex Marc Anthony appeared on stage in a collaboration with rappers Lil Wayne and Pitbull, who also sang with Lopez. But Anthony and Lopez never appeared together.
Katy Perry played guitar to sing “The One That Got Away” and a special award for being the first woman in the history of pop music to have five No. 1 singles from one album. She joined Michael Jackson with that honor.
The show ended with a rousing electro, black-light performance by LMFAO. The group sang from their Party Rock album, stripping to their underwear.
Bieber joined them on stage, along with surprise guest David Hasselhoff.