SING OUT FOR THE 2013 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

SING OUT FOR THE 2013 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

By:  Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger

While people across the country were getting ready for the big winter storm sweeping across the nation, celebrities took to the Red Carpet on Sunday, November 24, 2013, to celebrate the American Music Awards which took place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

It was estimated that this was the second largest audience in 11 years with 12.9 million viewers tuning in.  It was an evening ripe with talent to rock the room and certainly some head-turning fashions to get designers up in arms.  It was televised on ABC TV.

With the appearance of the good-looking boy band, One Direction, teen girls were swooning for their undivided attention. Success has been imminent for this group, especially with the release of their newest album.  Pitbull who has moved up the ranks to one of the hottest hit sensations of the century, played host for the evening.  Everyone was thrilled to hear Justin Timberlake’s acceptance speech.  It seems like only yesterday that he was part of his own musical group with sounds that filled the airwaves on a regular basis.

The Red Carpet always sizzles with a very stylish crowd, made up of those never afraid to show what fashion is made of.  Taylor Swift’s transformation from sophisticated beauty to glam rock star meets intergalactic dream came across well.  A strapless metallic mini-dress by Julien Macdonald was accompanied by Jimmy Choo gold shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.  If we had to rate it, she definitely would get #1 look of the evening.

Lady Gaga galloped in on her white horse with long white hair covering a good portion of her pale pastel gown.

Jennifer Hudson is one of many stars to sport a new hairstyle.  It doesn’t matter what she wears, she always wears it well.

Rihanna drew attention in a strapless bustier with full length lacy yet sheer black skirt.

Competing for the award of “Who Looks Best in White”, Miley Cyrus and Nicole Richie took separate yet effortless approaches to fashion.  Two sisters from America’s favorite celebrity family, were well coordinated in black and white, Kendall and Kylie Jenner.

The outfits throughout the evening seemed to go from one extreme to the other.  Either the look was simple and subdued or uniquely lavish and amazingly adorned.

The designs of Michael Kors have always made a strong showing at award ceremonies and extravagant galas.  This event continued following in those footsteps as award presenter, Naya Rivera, was dressed in a Michael Kors black gown from his Fall 2012 collection with a huge cutout right in the center of the dress.

Additionally, Katy Perry turned a few heads on the Red Carpet.   She stepped out on this evening in a strapless Oscar de la Renta full floor-length gown with a black and white-dotted pattern adorned with pink florals.  She left no stone unturned as she also was seen with matching nails.

Zuhair Murad was the couture designer of choice for Jennifer Lopez, showing off her amazing curves.  She actually had a few costume changes as she did a few performances for the fans.  This particular bronze-beaded gown accentuated her beauty even more with a high neckline and open back.

Heidi Klum seemed to overwhelm with all her long black fringe.

But the real reason for the evening’s event was to present awards and share in the excitement of the many musical performances.  The mood was dynamic and the sound was out of this world.  Some of the hottest names in the music industry lately lit up the stage.  There has never been a better time for music to make its mark.  Imagine Dragons is the newest addition that joins the ranks of musical performances of the moment, as they sang their big hit, “Radioactive.”

This year marked the 20th year that the American Music Awards have been televised.  Just as talented as the winners themselves are the presenters of the awards.  We saw the likes of Marc Anthony, Bill Maher, Heidi Klum, Alicia Silverstone, Sarah Silverman, Zoe Saldana and many, many more.

The young and vivacious Rihanna who has climbed her way to the top, walked away with the very first ever “AMA Icon Award.”

 

Here is the complete list of winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Bruno Mars

Rihanna

Taylor Swift * WINNER

Justin Timberlake

ICON AWARD: Rihanna * WINNER

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY KOHL’S

Florida Georgia Line

Ariana Grande * WINNER

Imagine Dragons

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Phillip Phillps
SINGLE OF THE YEAR

Florida Georgia Line Featuring Nelly, “Cruise” * WINNER

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz, “Thrift Shop”

Robin Thicke Featuring Pharrell & T.I., “Blurred Lines”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK 

Bruno Mars

Robin Thicke

Justin Timberlake * WINNER

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK

P!nk

Rihanna

Taylor Swift * WINNER

FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK

Imagine Dragons

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

One Direction * WINNER

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK

One Direction, “Take Me Home” * WINNER

Taylor Swift, “Red”

Justin Timberlake, “The 20/20 Experience”
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

Luke Bryan * WINNER

Hunter Hayes

Blake Shelton
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

Miranda Lambert

Taylor Swift * WINNER

Carrie Underwood
FAVORITE BAND, DUO or GROUP – COUNTRY

The Band Perry

Florida Georgia Line

Lady Antebellum * WINNER

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY

Luke Bryan, “Crash My Party”

Florida Georgia Line, “Here’s To The Good Times”

Taylor Swift, “Red” * WINNER

FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP

Jay Z

Lil Wayne

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis * WINNER

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP

Jay Z, “Magna Carta…Holy Grail”

Kendrick Lamar, “good kid, m.A.A.d city”

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, “The Heist” * WINNER

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B

Miguel

Robin Thicke

Justin Timberlake * WINNER

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B

Ciara

Alicia Keys

Rihanna * WINNER

FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B

Rihanna, “Unapologetic”

Robin Thicke, “Blurred Lines”

Justin Timberlake, “The 20/20 Experience” * WINNER

FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK

Imagine Dragons * WINNER

The Lumineers

Mumford & Sons
FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY

Maroon 5 * WINNER

Bruno Mars

P!nk
FAVORITE ARTIST – LATIN

Marc Anthony * WINNER

Prince Royce

Romeo Santos

FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

tobyMac

Chris Tomlin

Matthew West * WINNER

FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)

Avicii * WINNER

Daft Punk

Calvin Harris

Zedd

TOP SOUNDTRACK

“The Great Gatsby: Music From Baz Luhrmann’s Film”

“Les Miserables”

“Pitch Perfect” * WINNER

Until then, we will see you again next year!

PHOTO CREDITS:  Getty Images, Reuters