The 2016 American Music Awards will take place tonight, Sunday, November 20, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. ABC will broadcast the show live at 8PM. Model Gigi Hadid and SNL alum Jay Pharaoh will cohost the night’s festivities.
Many people will be performing on the show. Bruno Mars will open this year’s AMAs. Lady Gaga will also perform and One Direction singer, Niall Horan will perform his new single titled, This Town. There will even be a performance by Justin Bieber from Zurich, Switzerland. He is on the road with the Purpose World Tour.
Sting, who is being honored with the American Music Award of Merit award at this year’s American Music Awards, is also set to perform.
The American Music Awards, known as the AMAs, are given to top performers throughout the music industry on an annual basis. Awards are given in the Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin, Soundtracks and Contemporary Inspirational genres of music. In addition to the awards in each of the genres, an Artist of the Year is named from all groups combined.
The AMAs are voted on by a poll of music buyers and the public. The American Music Awards have nominations based on sales, airplay, activity on social networks, and video viewing.
Dick Clark started the American Music Awards in 1973. Michael Jackson co-hosted the first event with Donny Osmond. Roberta Flack won the first award given in 1973.
Clay Aiken has attended and participated in the AMA’s three times. On November 16, 2003, Clay played a large role in the show. He arrived on the Red Carpet with his friend Amber Nix and was nominated for two awards, Favorite Male Artist and Fan Choice. Clay won the Fan Choice Award. Clay also performed on the program. Clay sang a short version of Invisible and was then joined by Ruben Studdard for an outstanding rendition of Jesus Is Love. They received a standing ovation.
On November 11, 2004. Clay was a presenter on the program. He was joined on stage by Kathy Griffin who was dressed as a bride. She announced to the audience that she was going to marry Clay. Despite the distraction, Clay was able to present the award for the Best Male Country Artist.
Clay hit the Red Carpet one more time at the AMA’s. In 2006, Clay participated in a skit with Tori Spelling. The two made fun of Clay’s tiff with Kelly Ripa and received lots of laughs and applause.
I have to admit that the only times I have watched the show are the three times that Clay Aiken was a part of the show. I am not a huge fan of popular music and so the shows are just not my cup of tea!
The following video is fun. Clay was amazing when he sang at the AMA’s.
Will you be watching the American Music Awards this year?
