The 2009 American Music Awards started off with some old school Janet Jackson, honored Whitney Houston and kept the audience on its feet with a completely divalicious night. Oh, and there were some awards, too, with Taylor Swift just beating out MJ for the lead!
The AMAs may be
an awards show, but it was all about the music tonight and, with some exceptions, all about the ladies.
After Janet kicked things off with her classic hits and dance crew stylings, Shakira showed up with her own crew of dancers, not to mention
more serious booty shaking as she demanded the fans Give It Up to Me.
American Idol’s first lady Kelly Clarkson kept it real with Already Gone, while Idol
Carrie Underwood came out later with a sexy performance reminiscent of — but not quite as hot as — her recent burlesque number at the Country Music Awards.
The Black Eyed Peas, who got two AMAs, took the stage early with their newest anthem, Tonight’s Gonna be a Good Night. Though this rocking crew is coed, it bares mention that Fergie looked
hot as can be, keeping all eyes on her for the performance.
Alicia Keyes shared the stage with AMA winner Jay-Z for their all too familiar hit Empire State of Mind, but she really shined when she returned on her own later in the evening to
introduce her new song Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart.
After Rihanna came out spinning — literally — she landed a standing ovation with a medley from her new album, Rated R.
Wearing tapes strips and shoulder spikes, she was sure to win the award for wildest outfit…
Until Lady Gaga came out wearing nothing but flashing lights, making it a toss up. As expected, Gaga offered up a performance art-esque number that included breaking the glass to get to her piano.
Mary J Blige took the energy down a
notch with I Am, a smooth R&B ballad that let the audience catch it’s collective breath; only to have Jennifer “The Champ” Lopez pick things right back up by boxing out her new single,
Louboutins.
Things slowed down again, however, to honor music’s long-missing diva, Whitney Houston, who received the International Award of Excellence. Wearing all white and surrounded by over the top angelic
light, she left audience members like Reba McEntire in tears with her performance of I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.
To be fair, there were some hot men onstage, but the ladies ruled and most of the guys were saved for the last hour.
Early in the show, Daughtry gave us No, There’s No Life After You,” and winner Keith Urban brought the country with Kiss a Girl.
As noted, Jay-Z was up early, as well, but it was a while before Eminem and 50 Cent brought back the hip hop testosterone. The duo got the crowd riled up with Crack a Bottle, but it wasn’t
quite as fun for viewers at home, since most of it was censored and thus we just heard silence. Then, when legendary Timbaland led SoShy and Nelly Furtado out for some fun, it was again the ladies
who shined.
AMA winners Green Day, however, came out with their 21 Guns blazing and could have made for a decent close to the night, but there was still one more diva to come — Adam Lambert.
The final performance of the night left folks scratching their heads, wondering why Idol runner-up whose much hyped album hasn’t even come out yet (Lambert’s For Your
Entertainment is due on stores November 23) was given the honor of closing the show. While Lambert’s performance got mixed reviews, everyone agreed it was a wild ride.
Oh, and there were Awards, too! With all the dancing and fun, we almost forgot about the awards themselves.
Taylor Swift was the big winner yet again, with five new AMAs, including Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Artist in both Pop/Rock and
Country, and Favorite Adult-Contemporary Artist. She accepted via satellite from London, sending her love and thanks to fans and making sure to honor Michael Jackson.
MJ himself won four posthumous AMAs, including Favorite Male Artist in Pop/Rock and Soul/R&B and Favorite Album in the same categories for Number Ones. His brother Jermaine was there
to accept MJ’s awards with a white gloved hand.
AMA full list of winners
Artist Of The Year
Taylor Swift
Pop/Rock
Favorite Male Artist: Michael Jackson
Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas
Favorite Album: Number Ones, Michael Jackson
Country
Favorite Male Artist: Keith Urban
Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album: Fearless, Taylor Swift
Soul/Rhythm & Blues
Favorite Male Artist: Michael Jackson
Favorite Female Artist: Beyonce
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: The Black Eyed Peas
Favorite Album: Number Ones, Michael Jackson
Rap/Hip-Hop
Favorite Male Artist: Jay-Z
Favorite Album: Blueprint 3, Jay-Z
Adult Contemporary
Favorite Artist: Taylor Swift
Latin Music
Favorite Artist: Aventura
Alternative Rock Music
Favorite Artist: Green Day
Contemporary Inspirational
Favorite Artist: Mary Mary
Soundtracks
Favorite Album: Twilight Soundtrack
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist (All Genres)
Gloriana
Read on for more music
November 23 brings new releases by Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga, Britney, Shakira and much more!
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