Taylor Swift named artist of the year at American Music Awards
Taylor Swift has extended her lead as the most awarded star in American Music Awards history, with three wins on a night that also rewarded Justin Bieber, the Weeknd, Doja Cat, BTS and more.
The pop music awards, now in their 48th year, gave Swift the top prize of artist of the year, following the release of acclaimed album Folklore in July. She also won favourite female artist, and favourite music video for Cardigan, bringing her overall tally to 32 wins.
In a video acceptance speech, she said: “The reason I’m not there tonight is I’m actually recording all of my old music in the studio where we originally recorded it. So it’s been amazing and I can’t wait for you to hear it.” Swift’s decision to rerecord her earlier albums was made amid a longrunning dispute with music manager Scooter Braun, who owns the master recordings and sold them to a private equity firm last week.
Favourite male artist was won by Justin Bieber, who also won collaboration of the year and favourite song (country) for 10,000 Hours, his song with country duo Dan + Shay, beating stiff competition from the likes of Megan Thee Stallion’s work with Cardi B and Beyoncé. The Weeknd also won three awards, dominating the soul/R&B categories.
Doja Cat won new artist of the year and favourite female artist (soul/R&B), while K-pop boyband BTS won favourite duo or group (pop/rock) and favourite social artist. UK successes came in the form of Harry Styles, winner of favourite album (pop/rock) for Fine Line, and Dua Lipa, winner of favourite song (pop/rock) for Don’t Start Now.
The awards took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, and were hosted in front of a small audience by Taraji P Henson, with live performances from Bieber, BTS, Megan Thee Stallion and more.
American Music Awards 2020: the winners in full Artist of the year: Taylor SwiftNew artist of the year: Doja CatCollaboration of the year: Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber – 10,000 HoursFavourite social artist: BTSFavourite music video: Taylor Swift – CardiganFavourite male artist – pop/rock: Justin BieberFavourite female artist – pop/ rock: Taylor SwiftFavourite duo/group – pop/rock: BTSFavourite album – pop/ rock: Harry Styles – Fine LineFavourite song – pop/rock: Dua Lipa – Don’t Start NowFavourite male artist – country: Kane BrownFavourite female artist – country: Maren MorrisFavourite duo or group – country: Dan + ShayFavourite album – country: Blake Shelton – Fully Loaded: God’s CountryFavourite song – country: Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber – 10,000 HoursFavourite male artist – rap/hip-hop: Juice WRLDFavourite female artist – rap/hiphop: Nicki MinajFavourite album – rap/ hip-hop: Roddy Ricch – Please Excuse Me For Being AntisocialFavourite song – rap/hip-hop: Cardi B feat Megan Thee Stallion – WAPFavourite male artist – soul/R&B: The WeekndFavourite female artist – soul/R&B: Doja CatFavourite album – soul/R&B: The Weeknd – After HoursFavourite song – soul/R&B: The Weeknd – HeartlessFavourite male artist – Latin: Bad BunnyFavourite female artist – Latin: Becky GFavourite album – Latin: Bad Bunny – YHLQMDLGFavourite song – Latin: Karol G & Nicki Minaj – TusaFavourite artist – alternative rock: Twenty One PilotsFavourite artist – adult contemporary: Jonas BrothersFavourite artist – contemporary inspirational: Lauren DaigleFavourite artist – electronic dance music (EDM): Lady GagaFavourite soundtrack: Birds of Prey: The Album