Women dominate AMAs, but not as nominees

This year’s American Music Awards was a reflection of the year in pop music, with women dominating the show, but not as nominees or winners.

In categories like artist of the year and favorite pop/rock album, where men and women compete, no female acts were in contention. Only six female artists or groups that include women won in the more than two dozen fan voted awards handed out Sunday. The legendary Diana Ross was given a lifetime achievement award.

But the women instead took over the show with powerful, and inspiring performances.

I’m Coming Out

The anticipation for the performance by style icon, singer and actress Diana Ross escalated all evening with plenty of hype from her daughter and the show’s host actress Tracee Ellis Ross. Ross noted that they were making history as the first mother and daughter to both host the awards show.

The singer who started her career as a member of the Supremes received video messages from the Obamas as well as Taylor Swift. And she did not disappoint when she appeared draped in a purple, fluffy tulle coat and long black gloves. She delivered an upbeat and inspiring medley of her hits. She ended the performance by inviting her children and grandchildren on stage.

True heroes

In a year marked by tragedies, from devastating hurricanes to mass shootings, the show started with a great homage to those who are the first to help in those situations, from police officers to firefighters. Two of pop music’s powerful vocalists, Pink and Kelly Clarkson, performed an epic version of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts,” with images from the recent tragedies on screens behind them. It was not only a great performance but set the tone for a night of uplifting messages.

Women rock

Host Tracee Ellis Ross explained in her opening monologue that this was a night for women to shine after a year in which women all over the world have been empowered to “own our experiences, our bodies and our lives.”

“This is going to be an incredible night, filled with nostalgia, featuring earth-shaking, ground-breaking women,” Ross said. “And there’s going to be some men singing too.”

Christina Aguilera took on the daunting task of singing a hits from Whitney Houston’s “Bodyguard” soundtrack. Kelly Clarkson, who was the first winner of “American Idol,” killed her songs “Miss Independent” and “Love So Soft.”

Superhero in pink

Pop singer Pink is wellknown for stage performances where she flies over her crowds or twirls on long ribbons. But she took it to a level when she performed on the side of a high-rise hotel in Los Angeles with aerial dancers. During “Beautiful Trauma,” Pink and the dancers performed acrobatic flips and poses while their graceful movement reflected off the building’s glass.