Women dominate AMAs, but not as nominees

This year’s AmericanMusic 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 womenwon in themore than two dozen fan voted awards handed out Sunday night. However, the legendary Diana Ross was given a lifetime achievement award, which former President Barack Obama rightfully noted was an overdue honor.

But the women instead took over the show with powerful, incredible, emotional and inspiring performances from Ross, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga and more.

Here’s a look at the top moments at the AmericanMusic Awards:

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 and even donned one of her mother’s sequined tops during the show.

The Detroit-born 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, including “I’m Coming Out,” “Take Me Higher” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

She ended the performance by inviting her children and grandchildren on stage as she poured her heart out to her fans. “This is my family and I am sending love out to all of you our global family and I really, really love to

be here,” Ross said. “And I feel so humbled by this.”

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, to paramedics and the military. Actor Jamie Foxx put it succinctly that 2017 tested everyone’s faith, but that unity was more important now than ever.

Two of popmusic’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. At the end of the performance, the two singers embraced in a hug and the crowd rose to its feet.

It was not only a great performance, but set the tone for a night of uplifting and positive 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.”