The American Music Awards (AMAs) have been one of the major music recognition shows from the start in 1973 celebrating the most famous artists, albums, or songs across multiple genres. We catch up to 2024 when the AMAs have been updated and are even more grand. From the jaw-dropping ways to the tear-jerking endorsement speeches, the AMAs aren’t just an awards show; they’re a full-blown .

With that, get ready to jump into this celeb-studded year. Wait, What Did They Just Say? — Amazing Performances Find all the details about the American Music Awards 2024 from red carpet, performances to acceptance speeches. Buckle up!

Table of Contents

The Glitz, Glam, and Guitars: Setting the Stage

The 2024 AMAs were created most lavishly at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. As expected, the place was filled densely with not only industry giants but also the fans who was charmed to meet their idols live. From the flashy swimwear to the daring bold outfits and even the colours used , people raised questions, was that a dress or just a man who wore a curtain of sequins into the venue?

With hosts who could effortlessly blend wit and charisma, the show didn’t miss a beat. The dynamic duo of Trevor Noah and Lizzo was the perfect blend of humor and style. Trevor’s dry humor and Lizzo’s energy were infectious. When Lizzo joked about “accidentally mistaking a microphone for a churro,” the crowd couldn’t hide their laughter. And honestly, who among us hasn’t confused a churro with something else at least once?

Performances That Lit Up the Night

What would the AMAs be without the incredible performances? This year, it felt like each artist was trying to outdo the next, making it one of the most thrilling lineups in AMA history.

Taylor Swift opened the show with a version that can only be defined as “magical mayhem.” She connected her classic clashes with new songs from her most delinquent album, “Midnight Dreams.” The stage? A whimsical blend of magical forests and shimmering moonlight. Swifties in the audience sang every utterance as if their lives relied on it.
Bad Bunny brought a piece of Puerto Rican fiesta to Los Angeles with his reggaeton beats. His vibrant and high-energy performance got everyone on their feet. Rumor has it that even the security guards were dancing.
And then reached the collab no one saw reaching: Billie Eilish and Ed Sheeran completed a haunting version of “Ocean Eyes” mashed up with “Shape of You.” Eilish’s ghostly voice connected with Sheeran’s soulful acoustics creating a beautiful contrast that had everyone’s jaws falling. Twitter, as expected, went into a meltdown: “When two worlds collide in the best possible way.”
Let’s not forget Lil Nas X, who offered riding a literal horse on stage. Yes, you read that right. With pyrotechnics blazing and a dance troupe wrapped as cowboys, it was a performance that had “Old Town Road” enthusiasts losing their minds.

Winners and Shocking Snubs: The Good, the Bad, and the “Wait, What?”

While the performances were on point, the awards themselves came with a few surprises. In true AMA fashion, some wins were expected, while others left fans scratching their heads.

Artist of the Year went to none other than Taylor Swift. Her domination in the music industry shows no signs of slowing down. In her acceptance speech, she thanked her fans for “*letting me play with words, melodies, and *a bit too much glitter***.” A humble nod to her *over-the-top costumes*, no doubt.
New Artist of the Year went to Olivia Rodrigo, who burst onto the scene with her emotional, heartbreak-inspired tracks. Her acceptance speech? A mix of tears and gratitude. “I just want to thank every ex who made this possible,” she said with a laugh. Now that’s how you turn pain into gain!
BTS, as always, took home Favorite Pop Group. Although they didn’t attend the event, they made up for it with a pre-recorded thank you video featuring snippets of their recent tour, complete with heart-shaped hand gestures that left the ARMY swooning.
But not everyone was thrilled. Harry Styles was noticeably overlooked in the Favorite Male Pop Artist class, failing to The Weeknd. The internet, predictably, had a field day, with #HarryWasRobbed trending on social media for hours. Harry’s response? A laid-back Instagram story captioned: “Sometimes, it’s not about the award, but the fans you meet along the way.” Classic Harry!

Acceptance Speeches That Deserve Their Own Awards

While the arrangements were great, the acceptance speeches were on a whole different level. Some were genuine, others laughable, and a few were just… disconnected.

Doja Cat took the stage for Favorite Female R&B Artist and decided to give a shoutout to “my cat, who’s a diva just like me.” The crowd’s perplexed reaction was invaluable, but then again, would it be a Doja speech if it wasn’t a bit weird?
Machine Gun Kelly, who won Favorite Rock Artist, delivered a rather unconventional speech. Instead of thanking his fans, he spent the first two minutes talking about “the best pizza places in Los Angeles.” Confused? So were we. But hey, now we know where to get the best pepperoni slice!
But the real tear-jerker of the night was Adele winning Favorite Album – Pop/Rock. She took a deep breath and said, “This album was about finding myself after losing my way. To everyone out there, it’s okay to not be okay. Just own singing your song, even if it’s a sad one.” You could hear a pin drop in the theater. Goosebumps.

Fashion Statements: The Hits and the Misses

If there’s one thing that the AMAs never forget to have, it’s fashion statements. From the bizarre to the spectacular, this year’s fashion game was more powerful than ever.

Lizzo, as desired, stole the show with a pink bow dress that seemed to have a life of its own. “It’s actually made of recycled bubble wrap,” she joked. Whether that was true or not, it’s Lizzo—we’re here for it.
On the other hand, Post Malone’s company had people rubbing their heads. Wrapped in what can only be defined as a cowboy tuxedo, finished with fringes and rhinestones, it was a bold choice that left many thinking, “Yee-haw or now?”
Katy Perry, always the fashion chameleon, arrived in a dress made entirely of mirrors. While it was stunning, one poor fan got blinded every time she moved. Talk about dazzling!

Social Media Frenzy: Memes and Moments

The AMAs are as much a digital occasion as they are a live one. This year, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok were humming with memes, reactions, and behind-the-scenes points that gave us major FOMO.

When Lizzo’s churro-microphone incident happened, it took exactly 0.03 seconds for the meme army to strike. One viral post read: “Lizzo singing into a churro is the energy we all need in 2024.”
Lil Nas X’s horse stunt? Let’s just say the “Lil Nas X rode in like he’s in the Wild Wild West” hashtag was born in real time. Even Will Smith jumped in, commenting, “*Why didn’t I think of that in *Wild Wild West**?” (We love a self-aware king.)

Wrapping Up: The AMAs Continue to Amaze

There were many surprises at the American Music Awards 2024 as well as performances and the possible Best Picture nominees that weren’t even nominated for an award. Of course, we turn to the AMAs to pay tribute to the great talents of the year while also providing tonight’s viewers with spectacles of comedy and controversy to digest and theorize about until the next awards show.

Well, if you did not catch it live no worries there is always YouTube, replays, and a hilarious gold mine of memes to be found. Until next year, keep dancing, keep singing, and remember: people love music and it makes the world go round.