Taylor Swift smashed Michael Jackson’s award record at the 2019 AMAs, Billie Eilish and Selena Gomez rocked the stage – but why were BTS a no-show?
BTS, Billie Eilish, Beyoncé, Khalid, Cardi B, Bruno Mars, Post Malone, Lil Nas X and Halsey among biggest winners at the 2019 AMAs – where Taylor Swift claimed six trophies, including artist of the decade, to topple Michael Jackson’s crown
Taylor Swift has moonwalked past Michael Jackson’s record at the 2019 American Music Awards (AMAs), taking home six honours – including artist of the year and artist of the decade.
The 29-year-old pop star, who walked into Sunday (November 24) night’s show with 23 AMAs, surpassed the King of Pop’s 24 wins at the fan-voted show. She rambled onstage as she won the final award of the night – artist of the year – and repeatedly thanked her fans for always showing up, during both the good and bad times.
“This year has been a lot of good, a lot of really complicated, so on behalf of my family and me, thank you so much for being there and caring,” said Swift, who now has 29 AMAs.
It was a family affair at the AMAs: Swift’s father and teary-eyed mother sang along as the singer performed a medley of her hit songs – a performance Swift said in a November 15 social media post was put in jeopardy by Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun, the owners of her master recordings.
She didn’t mention the men, or the ongoing feud, during her acceptance speeches at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, but she did thank her new label for allowing her to freely express herself as an artist.
“This album really felt like a new beginning, and I also really love my record label, Universal and Republic. Monte Lipman, Lucian Grainge – thank you for being so generous to me and allowing me to make whatever music I want to make,” Swift said after winning favourite pop/rock album for “Lover”, her first album not released on Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group. “As a songwriter it’s so thrilling to me that I get to keep doing that.”
Swift’s other wins include favourite female pop/rock artist, favourite adult contemporary artist and favourite music video for You Need to Calm Down – Swift’s loud LGBTQ+ statement, which also marked a very public reconciliation with Katy Perry.
Other big winners at the AMAs included Khalid and BTS – neither act attended the show but both won three prizes.
Billie Eilish picked up two awards – new artist of the year and favourite alternative rock artist. She also took to the stage – surrounded by fire – to perform her song, All the Good Girls Go to Hell.
