Here's who blew up social media during the AMAs.
It was a show unlike any other American Music Awards in history, but even a worldwide pandemic couldn't stop the stars from coming together to celebrate the year's most memorable music.
Taraji P. Henson took the reins of the socially-distant show with a sparse live audience and winners and performances coming in from all around the world, including a show-stopping medley of hits to kick off the show by Justin Bieber, with special guest Shawn Mendes.
Other artists who took the stage included Katy Perry & Darius Rucker, The Weeknd & Kenny G, Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, Nelly, Jennifer Lopez & Maluma, Bebe Rexha & Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Lewis Capaldi, Machine Gun Kelly & Travis Barker, Dan + Shay, BTS and Bell Biv DeVoe.
It was a three-hour extravagance packed with memorable moments, musical and otherwise, and we've got all the ones that took social media by storm right here!
And you can check out all the best fashion moments in the gallery at the bottom.
J.Lo Sizzles, Invites Beyonce Comparisons
Still obsessing over @JLo and @maluma's performance?? Us too 🙌 #AMAs pic.twitter.com/NpxsOhF2oY
— ABC (@ABCNetwork) November 23, 2020 @ABCNetwork
Jennifer Lopez had one of the hottest performances of the evening as she and Maluma sang both "Pa' Ti" and "Lonely" from the soundtrack to their upcoming film, "Marry Me."
Decked out in a semi-sheer, skintight black bodysuit from LaQuan Smith and wet hair, Lopez sizzled as she hit the stage. Both her look and the performance itself -- from the chair dancing to even the lighting -- were almost immediately compared to Beyonce's performance of "Drunk In Love" at the 2014 Grammy Awards (below right).
While some pointed out that Beyonce doesn't corner the market in bodysuits, chairs and wet hair, many others commented on the similarities between the two performances on social media.
Jlo’s team every time Beyoncé performs: pic.twitter.com/qqYRlIwQGa
— tony ✊🏾 (@kingalreadyx) November 23, 2020 @kingalreadyx
At this point JLO is a Beyonce tribute act. pic.twitter.com/Wk3scLta9l
— Sisa (@Titanbaddie) November 23, 2020 @Titanbaddie
Not JLo dressed the exact same way as Beyoncé did for her “Drunk in Love” performance at the Grammys. Even down to the wet hair and the chair😭
— Cheyanne. (@CBabeey) November 23, 2020 @CBabeey
jlo wanna be beyonce so bad, the thief striked once again #AMAs pic.twitter.com/FKdc7c8fg3
— 🅴 (@charlieno1angel) November 23, 2020 @charlieno1angel
No because Jlo’s performance looks EXACTLY like Beyoncé’s drunk in love one.... pic.twitter.com/Z1hrfqRIbc
— jurayl ⁷ ˣ ⁴ (@essentialyonce3) November 23, 2020 @essentialyonce3
And the secret is...@Beyonce
— 𝕋ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕆ℝ (@officialtrev) November 23, 2020 @officialtrev
Justin and Shawn Put on 'Monster' Performance
Amazing performance of #Monster by Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber at the AMAs. pic.twitter.com/DLhKkhtgeQ
— Shawmila Janey (@newshawmilafan) November 23, 2020 @newshawmilafan
Just days after dropping their highly-anticipated duet video, "Monster," Shawn Mendes joined Justin Bieber live on stage as part of a medley of Justin's new reflective music. The pair sounded incredible as they again took to a makeshift pedestal to make a statement about how young fame can turn.
Fans were eating up the whole performance, and got Shawn trending again later in the broadcast when he came back for a raw, stripped-down performance of "Wonder."
These pop stars are getting introspective and their fans are definitely here for it. It helps that they both sounded amazing, with Shawn soaring to new heights when he got his own chance to shine solo with a performance cleverly staged like a music video inside the theater.
justin bieber and shawn mendes killed their first ever performance of monster at the #AMAs pic.twitter.com/kfC3CUY8yl
— nikki (@bieberscrush) November 23, 2020 @bieberscrush
Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber performing together is just the gift that keeps on giving #AMAs
— Francesca (@BarstoolFran) November 23, 2020 @BarstoolFran
Ok justin y shawn juntos #AMAs pic.twitter.com/kiMjSxnnva
— yastin gato (@yastinvolve) November 23, 2020 @yastinvolve
i’ll never shut up about justin bieber & shawn mendes harmonizing in monster #AMAs pic.twitter.com/X84DFzRBBC
— anny (@manifestbieber) November 23, 2020 @manifestbieber
Another amazing performance from Shawn Mendes. This time of #Wonder. Loving how huge this song is. It really is made for the big stage. #AMAs2020 #AMAS pic.twitter.com/ybMJJERA8r
— Shawmila Janey (@newshawmilafan) November 23, 2020 @newshawmilafan
can we agree that shawn mendes is the real vocalist in our generation? pic.twitter.com/LtUgnn3RQk
— sofia | TODAY (@sapphiredempsey) November 23, 2020 @sapphiredempsey
Taraji Twerks It with Opening Dance Party
We just hope to make 2020 a little brighter with our show tonight! ❤️ #AMAs pic.twitter.com/qfHrwBxZ8Z
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) November 23, 2020 @AMAs
Circumventing the traditional monologue (at least for a bit), host Taraji P. Henson brought the dance party instead. On a stage filled with dancers of all shapes and sizes, the former “Empire” star took on the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Prince and Cardi B for a family-friendly--
Well, actually, that was the problem. And the reason she finally stopped the fun. As “WAP” brought out the raunch in her dancers, Taraji suddenly started shutting the whole thing down, hilariously shouting and shooing her dancers.
“Get up, put that away!” she shouted at one dancer who’d found herselves in a twerk-friendly, but otherwise compromised position. As they ran, she continued. “Y’all about to make me lose my job. This is family TV!”
“I’m happy to be here,” she said after settling down, and getting somewhat redressed.
“I’m just happy to be off the couch and in some real fashion,” she continued. “And deodorant, which expired.”
Fans were divided by Taraji's unexpected dance party with some poking fun at her amateur moves, while others absolutely had her back and were here for it. After all, couldn't we all use a dance party these days?
Yesssss taraji dancing to wap and Megan 🖤🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥#MeganTheeStallion #cardib #AMAs pic.twitter.com/w5E3zu4kCh
— Zone🖤🥀 (@themusicroommm) November 23, 2020 @themusicroommm
#AMAs are wrong for making Taraji do that pic.twitter.com/z3qeV9t6mk
— pink_petite (@pink_petite4u) November 23, 2020 @pink_petite4u
The AMAs hosted by Taraji is just what I needed especially to end this weekend! Got in bed getting my life right now #AMAs pic.twitter.com/u9wM7a2mzI
— ✨ (@DisasterMoviefa) November 23, 2020 @DisasterMoviefa
someone please tell me what taraji is doing #AMAs pic.twitter.com/xQhIUez7yx
— 🌴 (@ADRlANAMOUR) November 23, 2020 @ADRlANAMOUR
if y’all make fun of taraji- ion know if we can be friends still
— serenity empty era prt 2 (@szgarz) November 23, 2020 @szgarz
taraji p henson performing to the three people in the crowd rn pic.twitter.com/KbyN0B3Lk4
— sahana montana (@smallbrownswift) November 23, 2020 @smallbrownswift
what we aren't about to do is slander taraji p. henson on this app. not today. not ever. pic.twitter.com/U7xY2IO02R
— 𝖓𝖆𝖑𝖆 💋 . (@rihbeycalis) November 23, 2020 @rihbeycalis
The Weeknd Wraps It Up
THE WEEKND x KENNY G SHUT DOWN LOS ANGELES #AMAs pic.twitter.com/OiDNRLNK6v
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) November 23, 2020 @ComplexMusic
While fans have gotten used to seeing The Weeknd’s battered face throughout his various public performances this year, he took his visual presentation to the next level.
First coming out to accept an award with his face bandaged up like he’d just been in a head-on collision, the R&B star kept the look as he hit the streets of Los Angeles for a powerful performance with Kenny G and fans were eating it up -- and cracking up.
He kept the look going throughout the show as the evening's most nominated artist returned to the stage again and again to pick up different awards. While his face may not have showed it, he had a very good night.
Our favorite, though, were those speculating just how far he was going to take this injured motif if it continues into 2021 It's certainly representative of how this year has many of us feeling.
damn, when the weeknd said "i can't feel my face when i'm with you" he wasn't joking #AMAs pic.twitter.com/yY4gQ6ZHVY
— laura (@zeugirdorarual) November 23, 2020 @zeugirdorarual
The Weeknd came out looking like #AMAs pic.twitter.com/MbJFn2hV8O
— nani ✨ (@nanibeanzzz) November 23, 2020 @nanibeanzzz
The Weeknd accepting his award at the #AMAs pic.twitter.com/m14fmTSY5v
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 23, 2020 @Phil_Lewis_
#AMAs
— MJ 🍷 (@HeyMistyJ) November 23, 2020 @HeyMistyJ
The Weeknd at the Super Bowl Halftime Show: pic.twitter.com/O8QJ6eOwPJ
Becky G Makes History
becky thanking all immigrant workers and her family specially her grandparents ... im so emotional right now y'all! she deserved this award more than anyone ❤️ could not be any more proud @iambeckyg #AMAs pic.twitter.com/ib1yusiAfa
— 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎 (@redlipgrl) November 23, 2020 @redlipgrl
As Latin music continues to explode in a major way, the American Music Awards responded by expanding their categories to acknowledge its growing influence and presence in popular music.
As such, Becky G had the honor of being the first-ever recipient of the AMA for Favorite Female Artist - Latin, and it was not an honor she took lightly, thanking the "immigrant workers in this pandemic, the students, and immigrant families."
She also gave a shout-out to her own immigrant grandparents and touted that she "proudly waves both flags, Mexican and American," celebrating her dual heritage.
BECKY G USING THIS PLATFORM TO GIVE LOVE TO IMMIGRANTS AND SHOW THAT BILINGUALISM IS A STRENGTH!!! MY RESPECT FOR HER GREW 1000000X 💕
— nina⁷ ♡ (@OHHEYJUNGKOOK) November 23, 2020 @OHHEYJUNGKOOK
Anyways Becky G a LATINA UNPROBLEMATIC queen. She deserved that award and so many more
— Cyn ₊✜⁷˚ (@mexicanrapline) November 23, 2020 @mexicanrapline
beautiful speech becky g #AMAs pic.twitter.com/0B9RfTK8Ne
— PAKITRON (@AtiqEllahi) November 23, 2020 @AtiqEllahi
me siento tan feliz por becky, todo un largo camino que ha recorrido y simplemente sigue siendo "it's your girl becky g" i'm so proud of you mamita 🤍🥂!! @iambeckyg #AMAs pic.twitter.com/b44aNx8yHm
— 𝗷𝗮𝗾𝘂𝗶/ 𝗡𝗼 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 🤍 (@iambeckyloveg_) November 23, 2020 @iambeckyloveg_
becky g made me so happy as a kid to see a latina making it big 🥺 the respect i have for her is massive please i love her sm
— kat's new era ;P (@koosIuna) November 23, 2020 @koosIuna
a week ago she won the Latin Artist award at the PCAs and today she won the #AMAs Latin Female Artist of the year! becky g is a powerhouse and is making our latinx community SO PROUD! love her forever @iambeckyg pic.twitter.com/EocRZ14eub
— 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎 (@redlipgrl) November 23, 2020 @redlipgrl
Taylor Swift Masters the AMAs
📽 Full Video: Taylor Swift accepting the prestigious "Artist of the Year" award at the 2020 #AMAs
— Taylor Swift Facts (@TSwiftFTC) November 23, 2020 @TSwiftFTC
Congratulations @taylorswift13! ❤pic.twitter.com/AF5V7MFVmb
Taylor Swift had a double treat as she became an AMAs triple threat after winning Artist of the Year for the third year in a row, along with two other trophies. She is the first to have secured the top honor six times, and most-awarded career winner with 32 total trophies. So far.
But it's what she said while accepting that award that really got fans excited, even as they knew it was happening.
"The reason I'm not there tonight is I'm actually re-recording all my old music in the studio where we originally recorded it," she said during her acceptance speech. "So it's been amazing and I can't wait for you to hear it."
Fans have been waiting with anticipation for Taylor to re-release her earliest albums ever since her masters were sold, starting a very public feud with Scooter Braun, who initially acquired them and then subsequently sold them.
Regardless of who owns them, Swift has determined she will own all of her own music simply by re-recording those albums, promising some new treats for her fans along the way. Finding out that she is diligently hard at that work created an eruption of cheers from the audience, as well as online excitement.
Congratulations Taylor!! Well deserved! I guess we can forgive you for skipping the AMAs this year 😉 CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR THE RERECORDINGS! Get those masters, girl! We love you 🥰🥳
— ✨ Sandra ✨ (@getawaycar27) November 23, 2020 @getawaycar27
SHE REALLY SAID SORRY I CANT BE THERE IM RE-RECORDING ALL OF MY MASTERS IN THE ORIGINAL STUDIO. SUCK IT SCOOTER. #TaylorSwift #AMAs pic.twitter.com/ie1wDvXkCl
— spooky szn k (@MooreOfKaitlyn) November 23, 2020 @MooreOfKaitlyn
Guess that big sale of her original masters won’t really matter! @taylorswift13 congrats all around! ❤️💥💥💥#AMAs https://t.co/QH9pzBzcM7
— michlnyc (@michlnyc) November 23, 2020 @michlnyc
Aww Taylor Swift conformed her re-recording of her originals. No more masters fight.
— YaYa یلدا (@YALDAntKNOWme) November 23, 2020 @YALDAntKNOWme
i'm also really happy for @taylorswift13's wins and the fact that she has started re-recording her masters!! aaah~ 💖
— ᴮᴱalona⁷ (@alonawithluv) November 23, 2020 @alonawithluv
BTS Can 'Get It'
.@tarajiphenson has one last performance to introduce... @BTS_twt!!!! #AMAs pic.twitter.com/0p3OJIN6DG
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) November 23, 2020 @AMAs
Taraji P. Henson cut her own lines during a live broadcast when she started joking that BTS could "get it," before worrying that they may not be old enough and it was awkwardly hilarious.
"Can we cut that," she said, looking off to the side as if she'd forgotten this was a live broadcast. If she didn't realize this was going out live, perhaps we should all be grateful she didn't say anything even more shocking throughout the night.
Also, for the record, they're all plenty old enough, ranging in age from 23 to 27 years old, so the line was ridiculous regardless ... especially if it was scripted. If not, then maybe Henson just didn't know and decided to back out before she dug a hole to big to climb out of.
Considering she pronounced Lewis Capaldi's name "Lewis Cabaldi" earlier in the broadcast, would just chalk this up to Henson not being familiar with some of these artists. But it didn't stop Twitter from cracking up over the faux pas.
NOT TARAJI SAYING ALL OF BTS CAN GET IT pic.twitter.com/QY4k48cvLq
— Kikiᴮᴱ❂♡༄| KIHYUN & WOOZI DAY🥳 (@Namgyeomie) November 23, 2020 @Namgyeomie
oh now that's embarrassing.... on national tv... miss taraji said BTS could get it.. then she thought they were minors...
— 🖤𖧵BLACKEST KNIGHT⁷𖧵🖤 (@bstprism) November 23, 2020 @bstprism
NOT TARAJI THINKING THE MEMBERS OF BTS ARE UNDERAGE HELP
— amanda ੈ♡˳·˖✶ (@amandajalishaxo) November 23, 2020 @amandajalishaxo
lmaoooo @ taraji p on live television saying bts can get it if they’re of age “iono how old y’all are but................can we cut that?...........anTyWAY BTS” pic.twitter.com/bvgZhKYEm1
— nellyfrittata (@Thisisjuhnelle) November 23, 2020 @Thisisjuhnelle
"All of y’all can get it, when you’re all of age of course.” - Taraji says of BTS, who are all over the age of 22 lol #AMAs
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 23, 2020 @Phil_Lewis_
NAWT TARAJI STARTING TO SHOOT HER SHOT WITH BTS AND THEN GOING “actually can we cut that”
— Elle da butterfly ☽🦋 (@awkwardmonarch) November 23, 2020 @awkwardmonarch
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