Girls win big at the American Music Awards

Spared. That is how I would describe Taylor Swift at the recent American Music Awards (AMA). Swift, who by the way, looked glamorous in a fully-sequined champagne colored gown, presented the Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist Award. I thought that whoever thought of that was looking for fireworks or tabloid space. Kanye West was one of the nominees along with Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj.

For those in the dark about this story, Swift was accepting a trophy at the MTV Video Music Awards two years ago when West went up the stage. He grabbed the mike and suddenly went into a tirade about Beyoncé deserving the trophy. So can you imagine what it would have been like had West won? He and Swift would have been together on stage for the first time since that infamous scene.

The result of that was that West made a jackass of himself, and his career suffered for quite a while. Swift’s however soared to new heights. So since then, the curious had been wondering when those two would bury the hatchet. It didn’t happen at the AMA because it was Minaj who won. Besides, I do not think West showed up.

All in all though, it was a winning evening for Swift, who was up against current sensations like Adele, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. She was named Artist of the Year despite being relatively off the headlines these past months. She also got the trophies for Favorite Country Female Artist and Favorite Country Album for her Speak Now.

It was also a winning evening for the American Music Awards. Once considered a poor cousin to the Grammys and fence-sitter to the video revolution that saw the rise of MTV, the AMA has slowly become bigger and more important over the past 39 years. Last Sunday evening (Monday morning Nov. 21 out here with AMA aired live over Star World) it was at its biggest. I counted over 15 grand production numbers, from Justin Bieber to will.i.am, to Daughtry and each one with a different set.

It was quite a treat for fans with a lot of big names performing their hit songs and lots of big stars doing the introductions. The AMAs went emcee-less this year and it worked. They got more guests in so there were more celebs for everybody to ogle at. I liked seeing Law & Order’s Benjamin Bratt introduce Pitbull. Soul icon Lionel Richie presented the Artist of the Year award. Selena Gomez looking like an old-time movie queen was a presenter. Sean Kingston did the honors for the Bieber. And the gorgeous Heidi Klum did Katy Perry.

Now I do not know what Perry had in mind wearing that outfit from outer space circa 1950 and those padded bangs but I liked her performance best. Perry accompanied herself on the guitar to do her new song The One That Got Away. Her restrained singing was truly moving and it sounded like she has a No. 1 seller coming up. Her sixth probably. Katy was honored by the AMA with a special award for being the first female artist with five No. 1 single off the same album.

I do not know if she will ever-equal Perry’s feat of No. 1 sellers but the queen of the AMAs this year was Jennifer Lopez. The Favorite Latin Artist winner dazzled with will.i.am for T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever). She drove a Fiat on stage for her medley of Until It Beats No More, Papi and On The Floor with Pitbull. She also looked sensational clad only in a body stocking with beadwork in strategic places. Pitbull also did a number with Lil Jon and J.Lo’s ex Marc Anthony. No the exes were not seen together in the show.

Now while J.Lo and Swift and some others got their looks right, there were also some like Perry who will surely be cited for violations by the Fashion Police. What on earth was Minaj thinking wearing speakers on her butt? Bruno Mars and Robin Thicke had hair up to there but they were no match for Adam Lambert’s. To flatten those, who would dare? 

The LMFAO stripped. But all in the spirit of fun. The band closed the show by showing off their boxer shorts decorated with smiley faces. So did David Hasselhoff but Bieber chickened out. He wore ridiculous zebra printed leggings instead.

To close here are the rest of the 2011 American Music Awards honor roll.

Sprint New Artist of the Year: Hot Chelle Rae

Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist: Bruno Mars

Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist: Adele

Favorite Pop/Rock Band: Maroon 5

Favorite Pop/Rock Album: 21 by Adele

Favorite Country Male Artist: Blake Sheldon

Favorite Country Band: Lady Antebellum

Favorite Hip-Hop Album: Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj

Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist: Usher

Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist: Beyoncé

Favorite Soul/R&B Album: Loud by Rihanna

Favorite Alternative Artist: Foo Fighters

Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist: Adele

Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist: Casting Crowns