Otago Daily Times

Swift sets record, urges youth to vote

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LOS ANGELES: , Taylor Swift, straight off a controvers­ial dive into US politics, was the big winner at the American Music Awards yesterday, where she used her platform to again urge her fans to get out and vote.

The 28yearold pop singer won a record fourth artist of the year trophy at the fanvoted American Music Awards, beating rappers Drake and

Post Malone, as well as Britain’s Ed Sheeran and rock band Imagine Dragons for the top prize.

She also picked up three other awards, for best female pop artist, best tour, and best pop album for Reputation, the biggest seller of 2017.

On Monday, Swift provoked a storm by breaking her silence on politics and announcing she would vote for two Democrats in Tennessee in the US congressio­nal midterm elections in November. Her comments drove a spike in voter registrati­on.

Yesterday, the Fearless singer told the American Music Awards audience in Los Angeles and millions watching at home to go and vote.

‘‘This award and every single award given out tonight is voted on by the people. And you know what else is voted on by the people? The midterm elections of November 6. Get out and vote,’’ Swift said when accepting her trophy.

New York rapper Cardi B brought down the house with an exuberant performanc­e of dance hit I Like It with J.Balvin and Bad Bunny.

Cardi B was also named favourite hiphop/rap artist, but lost the best new artist category to Cubanborn Camila Cabello.

Other winners included Post Malone (male pop/rock artist), Khalid (male soul/R&B artist), and country star Carrie Underwood, who accepted her 13th American Music Award.

Boy band BTS became the first Korean group to win an American Music Award, taking the trophy for favourite social artists.

Gladys Knight led a tribute to Aretha Franklin, who died of cancer in August at age 76. Other performers included Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez and Missy Elliott.

Some of music’s top stars, including Drake, Ed Sheeran, Beyonce, Ariana Grande, Rihanna and Kanye West, were absent. West was snubbed in the nomination­s while Beyonce, Rihanna and Grande got just one nomination each.

Apart from Swift, the show was largely free of politics.

Host Tracee Ellis Ross sported a white Tshirt for part of the evening saying ‘‘I am a voter,’’ and presenter Billy Eichner, best known for the TV comedy Parks and Recreation, urged the youth audience to register to vote.

‘‘You can go to vote.org, like Taylor Swift told you to,’’ Eichner said. — Reuters

 ?? PHOTO: REUTERS ?? And the winner is . . . Taylor Swift at the American Music Awards during her opening performanc­e I Did Something Bad.
PHOTO: REUTERS And the winner is . . . Taylor Swift at the American Music Awards during her opening performanc­e I Did Something Bad.

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