2017 American Music Awards Live Blog Winners List

Kelly Clarkson and PINK will perform together for the very first time to open the 2017 American Music Awards broadcasting live on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles tonight at 8 pm ET. Join us as we live blog all the winners and performances.

Watch out for videos of three American Idol hopefuls that didn’t quite make the cut during judges rounds. Fans will be able to vote for their favorite to go through to the next round! American Idol voting has already begun!

Also performing: Music legend, Diana Ross, will perform and be honored with the “American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Christina Aguilera will pay tribute to Whitney Houston and music from The Bodyguard with a performance in honor of the film’s 25th anniversary. BTS, Alessia Cara & Zedd, Selena Gomez, Niall Horan, Imagine Dragons & Khalid, Nick Jonas, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Shawn Mendes, Pink and Portugal, The Man, and Hailee Steinfeld and Alesso ft. Florida Georgia Line & watt will also perform.

UPDATE: Congrats to Carrie Underwood who took home Favorite Female Country artist! And Bruno Mars won just about everything. Another Idol alum, Lauren Daigle won Favorite Contemporary Inspirational artist.

Tracee Ellis Ross from Blackish is set to host (FYI: She’s also Diana Ross’ daughter!)

Before the first performance, Jamie Foxx with his daughter by his side, honors first responders who faced violent events of the past year head on “together our strength will pull us through,” he says.

That’s the cue for Kelly Clarkson and Pink to perform an impassioned version of REM’s classic “Everybody Hurts.” Having these two powerhouse singers joining forces for the first time is awesome.

After the list of performers are announced, host Tracee Ellis Ross takes the stage in a crazy gold outfit. She’s especially hype, because her mom is receiving a lifetime achievement award. She and her mom are the first mother/daughter duo to host an awards show. Oh look, it’s Kelly in the audience with River Rose on her lap. A slew of jokes are next. Uhm. She’s very excitable. Her entire family is in the house. Mama Diana is on her feet cheering. OHHHH. Kelly is sitting RIGHT NEXT to Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman.

Tracee nods to the #MeToo movement as she introduces Demi Lovato singing “Sorry Not Sorry.” She sounds real good tonight. This tune has a great hook.

Chadwick Boseman is on stage to present the first award of the night for Favorite Duo and Group, and it goes to…Imagine Dragons. He gives a shout out to women and LGBTQ youth. Fun Fact: The group is from Utah, and Mormon. “Peace love and equality, they say as they leave the stage.

Chris Hardwick and Lea Michele introduce “Nick Freakin’ Jonas” who performs “Find You.” He’s got the dancing girls, like a harem.

Next, it’s Hailee Steinfeld and Alesso performing “Let Me Go” with the execrable Florida Georgia Line. I mean, haven’t you been waiting forever for this collab? HA. In this case, FGL enter Hailee’s pop world, background dancers at all, and they’re rendered superfluous. Awkward!

Cierra Favorite Rap Hip-Hop song to DJ Khaled. After saying “God is great” his thanks all of the artists on the song, including Justin Bieber. Also Diana Ross. And Dick Clark.

YouTube star Lilly Singh and Sabrina Carpenter introduce Shawn Mendes who sings his massive hit, “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back.” Stars in the audience are singing right along. Energetic performance from Shawn.

Oh. Of course Taylor Swift was gonna worm her way onto the AMAs without actually being there. She’s on tape congratulating Diana Ross.

Singer songwriter Julia Michaels introduces Selena Gomez who performs “Wolves” with Marshmello. Selena rises from the fog amid an elaborate set that includes a full sized car and forest. Marshmello…hm. He plays percussion dressed like the stay-puffed guy. I’m going to assume there’s a point somewhere. #Imold. Selena is wearing a slip with tennis shoes and socks. ETA: And apparently she’s lip syncing. WHOOPS. Wonder if Justin is watching?

Justin Hartley and Kathryn Hahn awkwardly present Favorite Male Country artist to Keith Urban. WHOO HOO. He also won awards from Country Song and Country Album. OMG. This Kathryn chick is a trainwreck up there. One of the assistance hands two of the awards to Nicole in the audience for safekeeping.

Time for American Idol auditions! Three audition videos will air during various commercial breaks.

Audition #1. Brittany Holmes Age 28 from Aubrey Texas is introduced by Katy Perry. She sings “Let it Go” by James Bay

The #AmericanIdol journey starts now for Britney Holmes as she auditions during the @AMAs! pic.twitter.com/R1E89hNZzV

— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) November 20, 2017

A trio of actors from the TV show Riverdale present Favorite EDM Artist to The Chainsmokers. Of course.

Viola Davis from How to Get Away with Murder is here. She gets HUGE applause. She introduces the tribute to Whitney Houston’s movie The Bodyguard. The late singer received 21 AMAs, the most of any female artist in history. Christina Aguilera takes the stage to sing a medley of hits from the film, including “I Will Always Love You,” “I Have Nothing,” “Run to You, ” and I’m Every Woman.” Clips of the movie run in the background. And is it only me–but does Xtina sound off tonight? She’s flat in spots and really straining on those big notes.

American Idol audition #2. It’s Marris from Montana. Check out her audition here:

The #AmericanIdol journey starts right now for Maris, who just auditioned on the @AMAs ! pic.twitter.com/loVJtGmmU8

— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) November 20, 2017

Jenna Dewan Tatum and Billy Eichner present Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist to Shawn Mendes. Its his first AMA!

America’s Got Talent host Heidi Klum (only Project Runway was namechecked in her intro) introduces Lady Gaga. She sings “The Cure” live from her Washington DC tour venue. Solid performance. Pretty tame for Gaga, though.

Third and final American Idol audition: Lionel Richie introduces hopeful Dominique Smith who sings Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”

Dominique Smith just auditioned for #AmericanIdol during the @AMAs! pic.twitter.com/TEL9dklQh6

— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) November 20, 2017

DJ Khaled and G Eazy introduce Macklemore and Skylar Grey who perform “Glorious.” Gee Skylar was just on SNL LAST NIGHT in New York with Eminem. Chick’s gotta be majorly jetlagged. Macklemore finishes with a birthday shoutout to his grandma.

Barely missing a beat, Portugal the Man is on stage performing “Feel it. Millennials wax nostalgic about stuff that happened before they were born.

A trio of kiddos from Stranger Things introduce Alessia Cara and Zedd performing their big hit song “Stay.” It’s the soundtrack of 2017 Madison Avenue! This live performance features a string orchestra and piano. The stripped down version of the song is a winner.

Yara Shahidi and Ansel Elgort present Favorite Female Pop Rock Artist to Lady Gaga. OH. She performed from Washington DC? The show cuts to the DC location where Gaga delivers her acceptance speech. She thanks her Little Monsters.

Next, Imagine Dragons and Khalid join forces to perform “Thunder.” Confetti is flying for some unknown reason.

Hm. Nick Cannon in a wife beater and a pink turban. Alrighty then. He presents New Artist of the Year to…Niall Horan. Expected that. “I’ve had a hell of a year,” he says.

Now it’s time for Pink. She’ll be singing from the top of a hi-rise hotel outside of the venue. And you can bet she won’t f*cking lip sync. She’s like Pink the window washer, on a harness, scaling the building. She’s got a male dancer up there with her too. Not enough just to twirl in the air. She’s performing choreographed dance moves with a partner. Now there’s a group of dancers out there with her. This is crazy, And great promo for J.W. Marriott. You can tell she’s really singing. At the end there she’s breathing hard. Good lord.

Time to vote! Go to AmericanIdol.com/Vote to pick your favorite of the three hopefuls.

You’ve seen the auditions. Time to place your vote! Head to https://t.co/8pxd8wYc0Z to send one hopeful to Hollywood Week!#AmericanIdol pic.twitter.com/AWvWuT74sI

— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) November 20, 2017

Patrick Schwarzenegger and…some chick present Collaboration of the Year to Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft Justin Bieber for their giant hit “Despacito.”

Kat Graham and Kelly Rowland are next to introduce Niall Horan. He performs his performs his hit “Slow Hands.” I prefer “This Town” and “Too Much to Ask.”

Kevin O’Leary, Mark Cuban and Daymond John from the reality show Shark Tank present Favorite Alternative Artist to Linkin’ Park. Movingly, they dedicate the award to their late lead singer Chester Bennington. Bittersweet.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE as Chrissy Metz and Jesse Tyler Ferguson introduce THE QUEEN Kelly Clarkson. She sings a medley including “Miss Independence” and her latest single “Love so Soft.” Demi Lovato and the kids from Stranger Things are digging it. The Queen rules. Terrific performance.

The Chainsmokers are back onstage to introduce BTS. For those of you not in the know, these Korean pop guys are HUGE international stars. Literally. Simon Cowell is crying from envy. It’s the group’s first stateside appearance. There are a bunch of young people planted in the crowd, screaming their heads off.

Jared Leto is here. He needs a moment to recover from BTS. He goes on…about something before presenting Artist of the Year to Bruno Mars. Bruno is in an Uber. He thanks his fans. Oh it’s a “effing minivan” he says.

A taped message from Barack and Michelle Obama congratulates Diana Ross on her lifetime achievement award. He gave her the presidential medal of freedom last year.

After the break, it’s time to fete Diana Ross. THAT’S MISS ROSS TO YOU. Her son introduces her video package. After, she emerges in a black gown and a plume of purple singing “I’m Coming Out.” Kelly Clarkson is rockin’ out in the audience as Diana slides into “Take Me Higher” and then “Ease on Down the Road.” Next she sings “The Best Years of My Life” which she dedicates to her friends, fans and family. Her grandkids join her onstage for “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” The youngest one looks traumatized. The one with the wild hair is hamming it up though. Eventually, she’s surrounded by her entire family onstage. HEY. Her ex-lover Barry Gordy takes the stage with Smokey Robinson. What? No ex-Supremes? Ha ha. That grand kid with the big hair is the next star in the Ross family. Write that down!

And that’s it…we’re out.

2017 American Music Awards Winners List

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bruno Mars – WINNER
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Ed Sheeran

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY T-MOBILE

James Arthur
Niall Horan – WINNER
Julia Michaels
Post Malone
Rae Sremmurd

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY XFINITY

The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey “Closer”
DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne “I’m the One”
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber “Despacito” – WINNER
Maroon 5 featuring Kendrick Lamar “Don’t Wanna Know”
The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”

TOUR OF THE YEAR

Garth Brooks
Coldplay – WINNER
U2

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” – WINNER
Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee “Despacito”
Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK

Bruno Mars – WINNER
Drake
Ed Sheeran

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK

Alessia Cara
Lady Gaga – WINNER
Rihanna

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK

The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Imagine Dragons – WINNER

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK

Bruno Mars “24K Magic” – WINNER
Drake “More Life”
The Weeknd “Starboy”

FAVORITE SONG – POP/ROCK

The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey “Closer”
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber “Despacito” – WINNER
Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
Keith Urban – WINNER

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY

Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood – WINNER

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY

Florida Georgia Line
Little Big Town – WINNER
Old Dominion

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY

Jason Aldean “They Don’t Know”
Chris Stapleton “From A Room: Volume 1”
Keith Urban “Ripcord” – WINNER

FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY

Sam Hunt “Body Like A Back Road”
Jon Pardi “Dirt On My Boots”
Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – WINNER

FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP

Drake – WINNER
Kendrick Lamar
Migos

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP

Drake “More Life”
Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.” – WINNER
Migos “Culture”

FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP

DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne “I’m the One” – WINNER
Kendrick Lamar “HUMBLE.”
Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B

Bruno Mars – WINNER
Childish Gambino
The Weeknd

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B

Beyoncé – WINNER
Kehlani
Rihanna

FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B

Bruno Mars “24K Magic” – WINNER
Childish Gambino “Awaken, My Love!”
The Weeknd “Starboy”

FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B

Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” – WINNER
Khalid “Location”
The Weeknd “Starboy”