Best: Chrissy Teigen Practically Drops an FDT-Bomb
Albeit cut out thoughtfully by the blue pencil, Chrissy Teigen’s post-race discontent showed in the F-bomb (or two) listened ’round the world. While presenting a performance by her hubby, John Legend, Teigen took a risk to let loose a little. “This next performer is a splendid musician and a brilliant father,” she said, “who makes an entirely damn great breakfast sandwich and he has been known to compose love melodies about me. What would I be able to state? I’m exceptionally inspiring” She proceeded, “However his tunes are greater than both of us and on the heels of what’s been a truly fascinating, messed up, fucking race, for every one of us … I think we can all use a little love tonight” If her social media presence is any sign, Teigen is the fire to Legend’s ice; and the American Music Awards was a colossal powder barrel of political pressure.
Best: Sting Turns on His Legendary Charm
In a three-Song variety that worked its path in reverse from his new LP 57th and ninth (“I Can’t Stop Thinking About You”) to a couple of Police megahits, Sting brought an appreciated measurement of real star energy to the show’s final stretch. Looking tanned and conditioned and sounding ever-enduring on “Message in a Bottle” and “Each Breath You Take,” he showed in that matchlessly Sting-y way that the shine of progress can exist together with the crudeness of effective rock. Despite the fact that he didn’t call out Trump by name in his Award of Merit acceptance speech, his say of America’s “spirit of welcome and inclusion” appeared like a convenient and classy piece of social commentary.
Worst: Justin Bieber Phones It In, Long Distance
Justin Bieber was on a visit so he showed up in a pre-taped performance in Zurich. Striding around the phase in dark T-shirt and thin pants that packed peculiarly around his calves, the star was upstaged by his backup dancers, as well as by his audience. He let them sing pretty much every other line of “Let Me Love You” and the shots of them in the audience, bawling wildly and taking photos of the occasion, demonstrated that they were putting significantly more in the experience than their idol was. Regardless of how bored you are with Justin Bieber, this performance recommended he’s far more bored with himself.
Worst: Let’s Give Prince American Music Awards?
There are numerous, numerous ways the AMAs could have respected Prince’s life and music. In any case, the vast majority of those would have required a considerable measure of effort and planning, so why not simply Randomly give an honor to a 32-year-old collection? Obviously, a spike in deals after Prince’s death in April made Purple Rain qualified for the mysterious “Top Soundtrack” award. (It had won Favorite Pop and Rock Album and Favorite Soul and R&B Album in 1985.) Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, acknowledged the award for his sake, and conveyed a passionate speech about the man who “needed to be known as the world’s most productive lyricist.” But we can just envision the grin and side-eye Prince would give this stunt.
Best: Bruno Mars Goes Not Just Knee Deep Into Funk’s Past
Bruno Mars raged out toward the beginning of the show resembling the day’s pf Bell Biv DeVoe, Tony! Toni! Toné! what’s more, After 7 were duking it our for Favorite Soul/R&B Band, Duo, or Group. His set wasn’t particularly flashy (spare some classy pyro), his set pieces didn’t have a lot of a subject compared with Fifth Harmony’s post-apocalyptic wasteland, and we’ve officially heard him do “24k Magic” on Saturday Night Live. Be that as it may, at present, he was the most electric performer of the night – perhaps the most electric performer pop music has at this moment – and his show has choreographed some place between James Brown and Broadway. Mars pulled off the liquid popping and bolting of the period that “24k Magic” reviews and secured Funkadelic’s “(Not Just) Knee Deep” for good measure. He responded to the crazy accents of his band like Prince or Michael Jackson would, setting a night’s bar for physical performance that nobody would (or could) match.
Best: Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj Bring Sex on the Beach
Ariana Grande and a normally lewd Nicki Minaj turned their AMAs Performance of Grande’s “Side to Side” into a naughty beach party, most likely barely complying with ABC’s measures and practices. With palm trees behind her and sand beneath, Grande sang and writhed among shirtless male artists who later bumped around in ways that would’ve gotten Bobby Brown captured in the Nineties. Minaj rapped “I give zero fucks,” and she spread her legs and touched herself in a way that was more Cinemax than prime time. The night’s dirtiest execution finished with a major, bumping conga line.
Worst: Chainsmokers Trap Travis Barker in a Box
Before seizing the AMA for Favorite EDM Artist, the Chains-smokers and Halsey got a shot to repeat their tepid VMAs performance of Number One crush “Closer” – this time with feeling. They brought so many dancers, fireworks and legendary drummer Travis Barker of Blink-182 notoriety. Still, Barker and his drum pack were no places to be seen (or listened) until the last 20 seconds of the tune, when he climbed transcendently from the bounds of the dark shape behind a fedora Alex Pall. When he appeared, he was for the most part drowned by the throb.
Best: Lady Gaga Strips Down
Popular music’s most visual artist came to American music awards night furnished with minimal more than a stool, a Gretsch, and some fake grass. A hybrid of Stranger Things and Rhinestone, her “twilight” performance of “Million Reasons” was a one-lady Alternative Nation. In a night where Green Day played, it was still the most Nineties moment: A basic, stripped-down rock song taking the spotlight from a night of wild set pieces and Swiss Justin Bieber drop-ins.
Best: The Weekend Welcomes Us to His Ice Cave
In a night of drab sets and weak singing, this spectacular Performance from The Weekend emerged as a show of both resourcefulness and talent. As extraordinary as the song itself, the detailed, Wonderful staging resembled Superman’s Fortress of Solitude and was illuminated by red and blue stage lighting as the camera shook from side to side. What’s more, when the vocalist himself took off with confirmation into his upper register, The Weekend might not have taken any American Music awards home the previous evening, but rather he was certainly a star.