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AMAs Mix It Up
The American Music Awards spread things around Tuesday, with country star
“Thank you so much for the warmth and the love,” she said as she accepted the evening’s first award moments after opening the show with a rousing rendition of “Don’t Forget About Us.” Carey, who appeared in a sequined, silver, spaghetti-strap gown slit to the waist, had to quickly change into a black evening gown before accepting her award.
The show was as much about those who didn’t show up as those who did. Many of the night’s biggest names, including Green Day, Black Eyed Peas,
Notable moments provided by those who were there included an inspired pairing of
The rapper
Stefani, who bested Carey for the favorite female pop artist award, barely had time to get to the podium after completing her performance.
“What did I win?” she asked as she was presented her first American Music Award. “I guess whatever I won, I just want to say thank you to the fans, especially all my girls. Imagine what it feels like to be me all these years and have your support. It’s just outrageous.”
McGraw roped in both awards in the country category in which he was nominated. He came out ahead of
The Black Eyed Peas earned favorite group honors in both the rap/hip-hop and pop-rock categories.
Clarkson, the former “American Idol” winner, won the favorite contemporary adult artist award and a special honor, the T-Mobile Text-In Award, which was based strictly on a public vote.
Rapper 50 Cent’s album, The Massacre,won the favorite rap/hip-hop album honor, while
“I got to thank God because that’s my inspiration for everything that I do,” Elliott said.
She also dedicated the award to the late singer Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash shortly after takeoff in 2001.
Actor-singer
“I can only say that when a Spanish song gets played on Top 40 American radio, it means the pseudo rules of the industry are changing,” she said. “America is a cross-cultural open country and music is a language on its own.”
Destiny’s Child was two-thirds absent, as only singer Kelly Rolland was on hand to accept the group’s awards.
“This feels very awkward being up here by myself,” she said as she accepted the favorite band award in the soul-R&B category. “I miss my girls, Beyonce and Michelle, wherever you are. I love you so much.”
In a cross-genre category, country group
In awards presented off-camera, Green Day won favorite artist in the Alternative category and the band’s album, American Idiot, received the pop-rock category honor.
Eminem won the favorite male artist in the rap/hip-hop division, while Clarkson received the honor for favorite artist in the adult contemporary category.
Nominees were chosen on the basis of record sales, with winners selected through a survey of about 20,000 listeners.
Comedian
“I got the new Apple Tic-Tac. It freshens your breath and plays one song,” he joked.
The scene on the red carpet before the show reflected the hodgepodge of musical genres being honored at the AMAs, with hip-hop, pop and country stars making their way through the gantlet of press.
“It’s an American quilt,” said Lauper, who arrived in a black dress with sheer sleeves and a fringed hem.
She and McLachlan exchanged compliments backstage after the rousing response they received for their duet on “Time After Time,” which was co-written by Lauper.
“‘Time after Time’ is one of the best pop songs ever written, in my opinion. It’s an incredible, beautiful, timeless song,” McLachan said.
— Associated Press