6 2022 AMA Memorable Moments You Need to Know About
This year's American Music Awards brought out the best (and worst) in the music industry.
The 2022 American Music Awards brought out the shiniest, glitziest celebs for another chance to celebrate their successes and contributions to the music industry. It also brought out one surprise mega star who skipped the red carpet, a few touching tributes to legends in the music field, and a few boos for one particular artist.
If you missed the live event on TV (we know, this season of Yellowstone is hard to compete with!), here are some of the highlights to bring you up to speed.
1. Pink set the tone with her usual high energy.
Any performance that includes Pink is going to be good, and she once again did not disappoint by opening the show with her catchy new single Never Gonna Not Dance Again. She went all-in by roller-skating into the Microsoft Arena and starting a conga line to get everyone hyped.
Later on, she returned to the stage for an emotional rendition of Hopelessly Devoted to You from Grease, in honor of the late Olivia Newton-John.
2. Anitta and Missy Elliott shine on stage.
Brazilian singer and first-time AMA nominee at the 2022 American Music Awards Anitta surprised fans by bringing up musical collaborator and AMA veteran Missy Elliott during her performance of Lobby. The rap icon sparkled in a Versace suit and sunglasses and the duo spent their time on stage trading off vocals for a killer duet no one expected.
3. Much needed LGBTQ+ tributes were spoken.
Many of those who attended the AMAs felt compelled to acknowledge the tragic hate crime shooting at a Colorado Springs nightclub, which killed five people and injured dozens more only one day before. Before presenting the nominees for the best pop song, singer Kim Petras stated, “I can’t stop thinking about Colorado today. Gay clubs raised me, basically. And I can confidently say that no one loves pop music more than gay clubs. So, my heart goes out to you.”
Dove Cameron, best new artist winner, also made sure she used her moment on stage to let her voice be heard. “On the heels of the tragedy that happened at Club Q in Colorado Springs, I want to remind everyone how important queer visibility is, and how important our community is,” she said in her acceptance speech. “I want to remind you that you are made absolutely right, and you are so loved and so held.”
4. No-show Chris Brown gets booed.
Not everyone was happy to support Chris Brown and his AMA win for favorite male R&B artist. The crowd shared boos when presenter and Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland read his name as the winner, to which she then replied “excuse me, chill out,” while accepting the award on Brown’s behalf.
“I want to tell Chris thank you so much for making great R&B music and I want to tell him thank you for being an incredible performer,” she added. “I’ll take this award, bring it to you. I love you. Congratulations.” This comes on the heels of the show reportedly canceling Brown’s planned tribute to Michael Jackson, telling his 124 million fans on Instagram that it had been nixed, and he wasn’t given any explanation as to why.
5. Taylor Swift extends her award record.
Taylor Swift surprised everyone by skipping the red carpet and appearing on stage to accept three AMA wins, including the biggest honor of artist of the year. This officially makes her the most awarded artist in AMA history, with 34 total.
While getting tickets to her upcoming Eras tour may be impossible, she did give a big shoutout to her fanbase for their support of her remixed hit All Too Well.
6. Lionel Richie and friends close out the show.
The audience got sentimental during a touching tribute to the legendary American Idol judge, where music legends Stevie Wonder and Charlie Puth sang a few of the artist’s hits, culminating in a group number for We Are the World. Another Motown legend Smokey Robinson brought Richie on stage to accept the Icon Award, which will go well with his newly inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Fame status.
