Taylor Swift big winner at 2018 AMAs

Showstopping performances and big winners were highlights of the annual show

Taylor Swift was the big winner at the 2018 American Music Awards on Tuesday (Oct 9th) night held in Los Angeles. The singer kicked off the night with a fiery, heart-pumping show opening performance of her single “I Did Something Bad,” in a sparkly one piece and thigh high boots as a cobra emerged over the flames on stage. She then reclaimed the stage numerous times throughout the show to to accept four awards — surpassing Whitney Houston’s record of 21 trophies, and setting a new AMA record for most wins by a female of all time, 23!

The 2018 American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, was hosted by ABC’s black-ish star, Tracee Ellis Ross, for the second year in a row! Ross wowed fans with her comedic timing, wit and numerous costume changes throughout the night, where music fans watched their favorite artists and pop culture icons come together to celebrate icons, musicians breaking barriers and those new to the contemporary music scene, live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles last night (Tues, Oct 9th) on ABC.

Jennifer Lopez took the stage to sing her new powerful ballad, “Limitless” from her film Second Act, and per usual wowed viewers with an electric performance and moving message.

Record-breaking female rapper, Cardi B, took over the AMA stage with a vibrant, Latin-inspired performance of her hit single “I Like It,” with J Balvin and Bad Bunny.

Gospel and soul’s biggest names came out to salute the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, in an uplifting performance directed by musical savant, Rickey Minor. Gladys Knight, CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Ledisi and Mary Mary sang gospel songs that Ms. Franklin had become synonymous with like “Amazing Grace” and “Climbing Higher Mountains,” that got the audience to their feet and reminded us why Aretha reigned Queen.

Live from Brisbane, Australia, rock duo Panic! at the Disco performed Queen’s cult classic rock ballad, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” that got the crowd singing along. The cast of the upcoming biopic about the song’s original creators, including Rami Malek, Joe Mazzello and Gwilym Lee, were onstage in Los Angeles to introduce the nostalgic performance.

Other memorable moments included Benny Blanco with Halsey & Khalid, Cardi B’s return to the award show stage after giving birth, Ciara and Missy Elliott’s dance inducing performance of their collab “Level Up,” Ella Mai’s performance of “Boo’d Up,” and her special encore performance presented by Xfinity.

The evening included additional knockout performances from Camila Cabello, Carrie Underwood, Dua Lipa, Mariah Carey, Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Shawn Mendes with Zedd and Twenty One Pilots.

American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound, and reflect the time period of September 15, 2017 through August 9, 2018.

YouTube Music is the presenting sponsor of the 2018 American Music Awards. Capital One Savor Card and Subaru of America, Inc. are sponsors of the 2018 American Music Awards. Media partner is Cumulus Media/Westwood One.

The 2018 American Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions. Barry Adelman, Mark Bracco and Tracee Ellis Ross are Executive Producers. Larry Klein is Producer.

Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift

Favorite Male Artist Pop/Rock
Post Malone

Favorite Female Artist Pop/Rock
Taylor Swift

Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock
Migos

Favorite Album Pop/Rock
Taylor Swift reputation

Favorite Song Pop/Rock
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug “Havana”

Favorite Male Artist Country
Kane Brown

Favorite Female Artist Country
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Duo or Group Country
Florida Georgia Line

Favorite Album Country
Kane Brown “Kane Brown”

Favorite Song Country
Kane Brown “Heaven”

Favorite Artist Rap/Hip-Hop
Cardi B

Favorite Album Rap/Hip-Hop
Post Malone “Beerbongs & Bentlys”

Favorite Song Rap/Hip-Hop
Cardi B “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”

Favorite Male Artist Soul/R&B
Khalid

Favorite Female Artist Soul/R&B
Rihanna

Favorite Album Soul/R&B
XXXTENTACION 17

Favorite Song Soul/R&B
Bruno Mars & Cardi B “Finesse”

Tour of the Year
Taylor Swift

Favorite Music Video
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug “Havana”

Favorite Artist Alternative Rock
Panic! At The Disco

Favorite Artist Adult Contemporary
Shawn Mendes

Favorite Artist Latin
Daddy Yankee

Favorite Artist Contemporary Inspirational
Lauren Daigle

Favorite Artist Electronic Dance Music
Marshmello

Favorite Soundtrack
Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By

Favorite Social Artist of the Year Presented By Xfinity
BTS

New Artist of the Year Presented By Capital One Savor Card
Camila Cabello

Collaboration of the Year
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug, “Havana”

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com