Biggest names in music deliver show-stopping performances at American Music Awards

Taylor Swift breaks record for most AMA wins of all time

Carrie Underwood breaks record for most wins ever in favorite country album category

Halsey wins her first American Music Award

Billy Ray Cyrus wins his first AMA in more than 30 years

Last night, the world’s biggest artists and pop-culture icons came together to honor idols, newcomers and record-breakers at the 2019 American Music Awards. Multi-Platinum-selling artist Ciara hosted the show and kicked the night off with a performance of her new single, “Melanin.” The show aired live on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

In one of the most-talked-about musical performances of the year, Artist of the Decade Award recipient Taylor Swift brought the house down with a medley of her biggest hits from the past 10 years, including “The Man,” “Love Story,” “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “Blank Space,” “Shake It Off” (where she was joined by Halsey and Camila Cabello), and “Lover.” She accepted her award with an impassioned speech, telling her fans that all artists want to do is “create something that will last,” and thanking them for the “fun, incredible, exhilarating times,” and countless memories they have shared together over the years.

Having won six awards, Swift also broke Michael Jackson’s long-standing record of most American Music Award wins of all time; she now tops the list with a total of 29.

Selena Gomez delivered an emotional opening to the show, taking the stage for the first time in two years for the world television premiere of her new songs, “Lose You To Love Me” and “Look At Her Now.”

There were performances featuring newcomers and American Music Awards veterans alike. Breakout artist Billie Eilish gave her very first award show performance with a fiery rendition of “all the good girls go to hell.” Superstar Lizzo graced the AMA stage for the first time with a passionate performance of her single “Jerome.” Three-time American Music Award winners Green Day celebrated the 25th anniversary of their legendary 1994 album, “Dookie,” with a performance of “Basket Case,” as well as their latest hit, “Father of All…” Toni Braxton celebrated the 25th anniversary of her first AMAs performance and had the audience singing along to her chart-topping hits “Breathe Again” and “Unbreak My Heart.”

The night was also filled with collaborations, including the world television premiere of Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World’s new single “Fall On Me,” plus an electrifying performance from Post Malone featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Travis Scott and WATT for the world television premiere of their new song “Take What You Want.”

The show included additional performances from Cabello with “Living Proof”; Shawn Mendes and Cabello with “Señorita”; Dua Lipa with “Don’t Start Now”; Halsey with “Graveyard”; Kesha feat. Big Freedia with “Raising Hell” and “TiK ToK”; and Thomas Rhett with “Look What God Gave Her.”

The night ended on a high with the entire audience on their feet for Shania Twain’s return to the American Music Awards stage for the first time in 16 years. The country icon performed a crowd-pleasing medley of her biggest hits: “You’re Still the One,” “Any Man of Mine,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!”

A big winner with two new trophies, presenter Carrie Underwood now holds the record for most wins in the Favorite Album – Country category, surpassing legend Kenny Rogers, with whom she was previously tied.

American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound, and reflect the time period of Sept. 28, 2018, through Sept. 26, 2019. The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans.