Rihanna, Chris Brown top AMA

A lot of kids all over the world must have kept the web busy, busy these past few days. For one the much-awaited motion picture Twilight finally opened. And since most of them will have to wait for weeks or even months to see it, they have been checking out news about it and stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart on the Internet. Twilight is at present showing only in the US and in the Philippines, which is the first Asian country to screen the blockbuster flick.

The other event is that of Miley Cyrus celebrating her 16th birthday. No big to do because the date coincided with work last Nov. 23. The Hannah Montana superstar had a little party on the set and blew out candles on her sweet 16 cake with her dad Billy Ray and TV brother Jason Earles. She later hosted a charity fundraiser at Disneyland that raised $1-M for Youth Service America.

Then because she is now 16, Miley got to sport a very glamorous look at the American Music Awards (AMA) later that same day. She was in a figure hugging strapless black and gold mini with matching high heeled pumps. Miley, who will release the Hannah Montana movie next year and is one of the top earning celebrities under 25, is growing up fast. We are of course, all hoping she does not turn into a Britney, Paris or Lindsay, etc.

And then there was the American Music Awards which I am sad we did not get live this year but was thankfully available on-line. And here the headliners were lovebirds Chris Brown and Rihanna who went home with five trophies. Chris who disappointed local fans who braved getting squashed, almost fainted, destroyed a good pair of shoes and paid a lot of money to watch him live, only to catch him lip-synching, was named Artist of the Year. He also got the Favorite Male Artist award for the Pop/Rock and Soul/R&B categories. Rihanna was the Favorite Female Artist in the same categories.

But although a lip-syncher at a nightmare of a concert he might be, I have to admit that he looked great at the AMA which was held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. So did the demurely made-up Rihanna. She later changed to her daring leather corset and chains to perform Rehab. Come to think of it, most of the guests at the AMA came looking their red carpet best. It was quite a sight seeing young artists like new sensation and Joe Jonas ex Taylor Swift plus Justin Timberlake, Leona Lewis, Ashley Tisdale, Pink, Natasha Bedingfield, Demi Lovato and others all looking like real stars.

They were also mostly on good behavior. Consistent sour-graper Kanye West who won as Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist and the Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album for his Graduation was surprisingly nice. He said, “It’s our responsibility as musicians to keep pushing each other. We will be the new Beatles, the new Hendrix, I want to be Elvis.”

Miley performed as did the T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award winners Jonas Brothers, and also Pink, the Pussy Cat Dolls, Coldplay, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, who made like Madonna, Ne-Yo and Annie Lennox formerly of Eurhythmics who was conferred the Award of Merit. Most appealing was the nostalgic moment with the New Kids on the Block. The ‘80s boy group who are now 20 years older performed their hits and songs from their new CD while channeling their former selves through old videos and TV footage.

 The other winners at this year’s AMA are:

Favorite Pop/Rock

Band — Daughtry

Album — As I Am by Alicia Keys

Favorite Soul/R&B Album — As I Am by Alicia Keys

Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Group — Three 6 Mafia

Favorite Country

Male Artist — Brad Paisley

Female Artist — Taylor Swift

Band — Rascal Flatts

Album — Carnival Ride by Carrie Underwood

Adult Contemporary — Jordin Sparks

Alternative Rock — Linkin Park

Latin — Enrique Iglesias

Contemporary Inspirational — Third Day

Soundtrack Album — Alvin and the Chipmunks

Incidentally, this is now the 34th set of winners at the American Music Awards which was formed by Dick Clark in 1973. It has since then been considered the fans choice award in contrast to the Grammys or the Billboard Music Awards which are chosen by music industry professionals.