AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

A fun night!

In what was her first live TV performance in two years, Selena Gomez opened the 2019 American Music Awards on November 25 in LA with a shaky rendition of her hits ‘Lose You to Love Me’ and ‘Look at Her Now.’ “She definitely had a panic attack,” a source tells WHO, saying that her anxiety “threw her off ” right before she hit the stage. “She was nervous. She really wanted to deliver.” But her loyal pal Taylor Swift was in full fangirl mode, proudly cheering her on.

After a drama-filled period locked in a public feud with music mogul Scooter

Braun over the rights to her music library, things were looking up for Swift, 29. With her Artist of the Year and Favourite Pop/Rock album wins, the singer made history by surpassing Michael Jackson’s record to score the most AMA trophies (29!) of all time. “This year for me has been a lot,” Swift shared in an acceptance speech. “It’s been a lot of good and a lot of really complicated.”

Other highlights of the performance-packed evening included two wins for Best New and Best Alternative Rock artist Billie Eilish, Lizzo bringing down the house with a rousing rendition of ‘Jerome,’ and Halsey’s inspiring fan-focused speech after winning Favourite Pop/Rock song for ‘Without Me.’

A steamy performance of ‘Señorita’ by Collaborators of the Year Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello had Swift swooning in her seat but she was the one feeling the love being presented with Artist of the Decade.

In a move many saw as a swipe at her former label bosses Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun, Swift opened a career-spanning medley performance with the female-empowerment anthem ‘The Man’ while sporting a straitjacketlike shirt emblazoned with titles of her old albums. “All artists want is to create something that will last,” she said. “The fact this is an award that celebrates a decade of hard work, art, fun and memories is all that matters to me.”