BTS named artist of the year at 2021 American Music Awards

South Korean boy group BTS was named artist of the year at the American Music Awards show in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 21 — the top prize at the world’s largest fan-voted ceremony.

The K-pop group beat rival nominees Ariana Grande, Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd.

BTS and Swift were among the early winners at the American Music Awards, in a show hosted live by rapper Cardi B.

BTS was named favorite pop group, the first of three awards it was nominated for on the awards show.

“We’re just a small boy band from Korea which just united by the love of music and all we want to do is spread good vibes,” BTS singer Kim Nam-Joon, known as RM, said.

BTS joined Coldplay on stage for a rendition of their single “My Universe” in a post-pandemic return to live performances for the K-pop group, whose single “Butter” ruled the Billboard singles charts in the United States for 10 weeks this summer.

Swift, who did not attend Sunday’s ceremony, last year won the title for a record sixth time. On Sunday, she took home the trophies for favorite female artist and best pop album for her lockdown album “evermore.”

“I’m so lucky to be in your life and to get to have you in mine,” Swift told fans in a video acceptance speech.

First-time host Cardi B pulled off a series of extravagant costume changes and confessed she was worried about messing up.

“I’m a little nervous. I’m shaking,” the “Bodak Yellow” rapper said, sporting a head-to-toe black feather headdress.

Rodrigo, 18, who burst onto the charts in January, went into Sunday’s show with a leading seven nods including artist of the year, best new artist and favorite pop song for her debut single “drivers license.”

Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd followed with six nominations, while Doja Cat, reggaeton star Bad Bunny and first-time nominee R&B singer Giveon had five each.

Doja Cat picked up three awards on Sunday, including for her “Kiss Me More” collaboration with SZA. Meanwhile, Megan Thee Stallion, who on Saturday pulled out of performing on the show citing personal issues, won for favorite female hip-hop artist.

Other artists due to perform later on Sunday include Jennifer Lopez, Latin star Bad Bunny, Italian Eurovision song contest winners Maneskin and country singer Carrie Underwood.

The nominees were based on Billboard music chart performance, streaming and album sales, radio play and social media engagement, and the winners were chosen entirely by fans.

-reuters

Stars at American Music Awards have Paris on their minds

LOS ANGELES — It's the American Music Awards, but guests had Paris on their minds.

Celine Dion performed the French classic made famous by Edith Piaf, "L'Hymne a L'Amour," in front of a string section and a montage of images of famous Paris sites. She raised her hand triumphantly in the air at the song's conclusion, a photo of the Eiffel Tower behind her.

In introducing the songstress, Jared Leto said the terrorist attacks in Paris and Mali this month have "changed the world forever" and scarred its population.

"Tonight we honor the victims of the unimaginable violence that has taken place in Paris and around the world," Leto said. "The entire world matters, and peace is possible."

Charlie Puth, who locked lips with Meghan Trainor for an extended kiss onstage, said he happened to be near the site of the Paris attacks a few weeks before they happened and felt his heart break at the news.

"I want to write a song for Paris," said the 23-year-old entertainer, whose song "See You Again" was nominated twice at the AMAs. "I don't want to write another 'See You Again' for Paris, but I want to write a song specifically for Paris."


The lead singer of 5 Seconds of Summer, which performed during the show, said the band wants to help its fans make sense of the most recent terrorist attacks.

"This is the first time any of them have experienced a tragedy like this, so it's important for a band like us to articulate ourselves properly so they understand what's happening," singer Luke Hemmings said. "What we sing about is important, and it will change what we write about in the future. We have a young fan base, and were almost the communicators of what's going on in the world."

Skrillex, who won collaboration of the year for "Where Are U Now" with Diplo and Justin Bieber, didn't mention Paris specifically, but said, "There's so much negative stuff in the world right now that it's up to us to be positive right now."

source: philstar.com