Taylor Swift thanked her fans – AKA Swifties – for their votes as she earned favorite pop album for Evermore at the 2021 American Music Awards on Sunday evening.
The 31-year-old megastar did not attend the event in person but did send in a video to express her appreciation to her loyal fanbase.
In the clip she said: ‘Thank you so much to the fans. This is such an amazing honor. The fact that you would do this for Evermore, I’ve always looked at it as sort of Folklore’s fun, younger sister.’
She beat out heavy competition including: Ariana Grande (Positions), Dua Lipa (Future Nostalgia), Olivia Rodrigo (SOUR), and The Kid LAROI (F*CK LOVE).
‘This is such an amazing honor’: Taylor Swift thanked her fans – AKA Swifties – for their votes as she earned favorite pop album for Evermore as she did not attend the event in person but did send in a video to express her appreciation to her loyal fanbase
Taylor concluded her acceptance speech for thanking Swifties for their continued support of the rerelease of her album Red last week.
She concluded: ‘And thank you for the amazing support you’ve thrown my way with Red, my version. Have a great night. Love you guys.’
The highly-anticipated award show is taking place at the Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles as the event marks one of music’s biggest nights of the year recognizing the most popular artists, singles and albums.
Cardi B took on a new role as host of the award show making her only the second female rapper in history to do so behind Queen Latifah in 1995.
The 29-year-old Bronx, New York native was not only the master of ceremonies but was also a big winner as she took home favorite hip-hop song for Up.
In the clip she said: ‘Thank you so much to the fans. This is such an amazing honor. The fact that you would do this for Evermore, I’ve always looked at it as sort of Folklore’s fun, younger sister’
She beat out competition including Internet Money ft. Gunna, Don Toliver & NAV (Lemonade), Lil Tjay ft. 6LACK (Calling My Phone), Polo G (RAPSTAR), and Pop Smoke, (What You Know Bout Love).
She kept her speech short and sweet as she said: ‘Oh, my god. I’m so famous. Oh, my goodness. Oh, my gosh. Thank you so much, thank you to my fans, to the new fans, to the ones that have been holding me down for all these years. Thank you for voting for me. And thank you, Jesus. You always have to thank Jesus. Anyways, I got to go host.’
Earlier in the evening, Bad Bunny took home the first award of the night.
The 27-year-old Puerto Rican artist thanked his fans as he earned favorite Latin album for his 2020 project titled El Último Tour Del Mundo.
The crowd cheered loudly for the star as he accepted the honor in Spanish but did say: ‘I want to thank every people who is here supporting me.’
Top of the food chain: Bad Bunny took home the first award as he earned favorite Latin album for his 2020 project titled El Último Tour Del Mundo
Good vibes: The crowd cheered loudly for the star as he accepted the honor in Spanish but did say: ‘I want to thank every people who is here supporting me’
Double duty: The 27-year-old Puerto Rican hitmaker earned favorite Latin male artist earlier in the night as he posed in the press room with his two shiny new trophies
Shining star: Bad Bunny is certainly one of the most famous musicians in the world
He beat out heavy competition including: Kali Uchis, KAROL G, Maluma, and Rauw Alejandro.
The second award of the night was given to Machine Gun Kelly in the favorite rock artist category.
The 31-year-old pop punk rapper revealed that he almost didn’t get to have his big moment on television as he explained: ‘Before I accept this award, I just want to say, this wasn’t going to be televised, but my fans spoke loudly. So I want to give them their credit.’
He went on to praise other aspiring musicians whether they are in the rock or hip-hop genres.
‘My fans spoke loudly. So I want to give them their credit’: The second award of the night was given to Machine Gun Kelly in the favorite rock artist category as he revealed that he almost didn’t get to have his big moment on television
MGK beat out: AJR, All Time Low, Foo Fighters, and Glass Animals.
He finished out the speech with an edgy defiant stand as he said: ‘And lastly, I read a headline that said the age of the rock star is dead. But looks pretty alive to me.’
The most famous music group in the world, BTS, earned favorite pop group or duo.
The South Korean pop boyband gave all credit to their very loyal fans, the BTS Army, during their speech as rapper RM spoke on behalf of the group and said: ‘Thank you so much. And this means to us even more because we were actually a small boy band from Korea.
‘This means to us even more because we were actually a small boy band from Korea’: The most famous music group in the world, BTS, earned favorite pop group or duo as rapper RM spoke on behalf of the group
Worlds colliding: BTS also performed with Coldplay for collaborative track My Universe from the British band’s latest album Music Of The Spheres
‘We just got united by the love for our music. And all we want to do is just spread love, good vibes, and energy through music and performance. But without you guys, army, it could have never done nothing. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. Thank you.’
The seven member group beat out AJR, Glass Animals, Maroon 5, and Silk Sonic.
They later hit the stage again as they won favorite pop song for Butter.
RM once again spoke out on behalf of the group as he said: ‘Thanks to y’all, Butter has received so much love this year. We just wanted to put out the positive energy. Despite these hard times. This award truly proves that this song reaches many people’s hearts. Never take it for granted. Thank you so much.’
BTS bested Doja Cat ft. SZA (Kiss Me More), Dua Lipa (Levitating), Olivia Rodrigo (drivers license), and The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, (Save Your Tears (Remix)).
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s R&B group Silk Sonic kicked off the night as they performed their latest single titled Smokin Out The Window.
It will also be a night of exciting performances as global megastar groups BTS and Coldplay will be taking the stage together to perform smash hit collaborative track My Universe from the British band’s latest album Music Of The Spheres.
Red-dy for their close-up: Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s R&B group Silk Sonic kicked off the night as they performed their latest single titled Smokin Out The Window
Hamming it up: The handsome crooners happily posed n front of their fans as they sported matching red velvet suits
BTS will certainly have a busy night as they will be hitting he stage with Megan Thee Stallion to perform Butter.
Pop newcomer Olivia Rodrigo – who has the most nominations at the event with seven – is also set to perform as she already has a catalog of chart-topping hits.
Silk Sonic – an R&B group consisting of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak – will also be hitting the stage just weeks after the release of their debut album.
Tyler, The Creator will also be performing as he released yet another critically-acclaimed album – titled Call Me If You Get Lost – earlier this year.
Chloe Bailey from the group Chloe x Halle will be making her solo performance debut at the event as she recently released debut single Have Mercy.
Country fans certainly have plenty to look forward to as Carrie Underwood will be joining forces with Jason Aldean as Kane Brown is also set to hit the stage in addition to Mickey Guyton.
Boyband fans of the Eighties and Nineties will be excited to know that New Edition and New Kids On The Block will be performing together.
Diplo, Walker Hayes, Zoe Wees, and Maneskin are also slated to perform.
The aforementioned Olivia Rodrigo earned the most nods as she will compete for the top prize against fan favorites like Taylor Swift, BTS and Drake.
Rodrigo, 18, who burst onto the charts in January, got 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, while Doja Cat, reggaeton star Bad Bunny and first-time nominee R&B singer Giveon had five apiece.
Billie Eilish was notably absent from the nominations list despite releasing her second album in July. Kanye West, whose Donda album had the biggest first-week sales of 2021, got just one nod, for favorite gospel artist.
Rodrigo, The Weeknd, K-Pop band BTS, rapper Drake and Ariana Grande will face off for artist of the year against Swift, who last year won the title for a record sixth time.
It is important to note that the event is fan-voted and is one of the largest music award shows in the US.
The nominations are based on performances on the Billboard music charts, streaming and album sales, radio play and social media engagement.
First-time nominees, including rappers Saweetie, 24kGoldn and the late Pop Smoke, dominated the list. Silk Sonic, the new R&B duo formed in March by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, got three nods including favorite pop duo or group.
BTS, whose single Butter, ruled the Billboard singles charts for 10 weeks this past summer, will compete in three categories – artist of the year, favorite pop group, and favorite pop song.
American Music Awards 2021: WINNERS
Artist of the year:
Ariana Grande
BTS
Drake
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Red-dy for another big win: Taylor Swift is nominated for three including artist of the year
New artist of the year:
24kGoldn
Giveon
Masked Wolf
Olivia Rodrigo
The Kid LAROI
Collaboration of the year:
24kGoldn ft. iann dior, “Mood”
Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “DÁKITI”
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
Doja Cat ft. SZA, “Kiss Me More” – WINNER
Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & Giveon, “Peaches”
Interesting: Justin Bieber (right) is nominated for collaboration of the year with Daniel Caesar and Giveon (left)
Favorite trending song:
Erica Banks, “Buss It”
Måneskin, “Beggin’”
Megan Thee Stallion, “Body” – WINNER
Olivia Rodrigo, “drivers license”
Popp Hunna, “Adderall (Corvette Corvette)”
Favorite music video:
Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak), “Leave the Door Open”
Cardi B, “Up”
Lil Nas X, “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” – WINNER
Olivia Rodrigo, “drivers license”
The Weeknd, “Save Your Tears”
Favorite male pop artist:
Drake
Ed Sheeran – WINNER
Justin Bieber
Lil Nas X
The Weeknd
Favorite female pop artist:
Ariana Grande
Doja Cat
Dua Lipa
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift – WINNER
Fast rising: Olivia Rodrigo earned the most nominations with seven
Favorite pop duo or group:
AJR
BTS – WINNER
Glass Animals
Maroon 5
Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak)
Favorite pop album:
Ariana Grande, Positions
Dua Lipa, Future Nostalgia
Olivia Rodrigo, SOUR
Taylor Swift, evermore – WINNER
The Kid LAROI, F*CK LOVE
Favorite pop song:
BTS, “Butter” – WINNER
Doja Cat ft. SZA, “Kiss Me More”
Dua Lipa, “Levitating”
Olivia Rodrigo, “drivers license”
The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, “Save Your Tears (Remix)”
Pretty in pink: Dua Lipa has three nominations including favorite pop song for Levitating
Favorite male country artist:
Chris Stapleton
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan – WINNER
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Favorite female country artist:
Carrie Underwood – WINNER
Gabby Barrett
Kacey Musgraves
Maren Morris
Miranda Lambert
Favorite country duo or group:
Dan + Shay – WINNER
Florida Georgia Line
Lady A
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Favorite country album:
Chris Stapleton, Starting Over
Gabby Barrett, Goldmine – WINNER
Lee Brice, Hey World
Luke Bryan, Born Here Live Here Die Here
Morgan Wallen, Dangerous: The Double Album
Favorite country song:
Chris Stapleton, “Starting Over”
Chris Young & Kane Brown, “Famous Friends”
Gabby Barrett, “The Good Ones” – WINNER
Luke Combs, “Forever After All”
Walker Hayes, “Fancy Like”
Man with the plan: Chris Stapleton is nominated for three including favorite male country artist
Favorite male hip-hop artist:
Drake – WINNER
Lil Baby
Moneybagg Yo
Polo G
Pop Smoke
Favorite female hip-hop artist:
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Erica Banks
Megan Thee Stallion – WINNER
Saweetie
Tap in: Saweetie is nominated for favorite female hip-hop artist
Favorite hip-hop album:
Drake, Certified Lover Boy
Juice WRLD, Legends Never Die
Megan Thee Stallion, Good News – WINNER
Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon
Rod Wave, SoulFly
Favorite hip-hop song:
Cardi B, “Up” – WINNER
Internet Money ft. Gunna, Don Toliver & NAV, “Lemonade”
Lil Tjay ft. 6LACK, “Calling My Phone”
Polo G, “RAPSTAR”
Pop Smoke, “What You Know Bout Love”
Favorite male R&B artist:
Chris Brown
Giveon
Tank
The Weeknd – WINNER
Usher
Golden boy: The Weeknd has six nods including favorite male R&B artist
Favorite female R&B artist:
Doja Cat – WINNER
H.E.R.
Jazmine Sullivan
Jhené Aiko
SZA
Favorite R&B album:
Doja Cat, Planet Her – WINNER
Giveon, When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time
H.E.R., Back of My Mind
Jazmine Sullivan, Heaux Tales
Queen Naija, missunderstood
Favorite R&B song:
Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak), “Leave the Door Open” – WINNER
Chris Brown & Young Thug, “Go Crazy”
Giveon, “Heartbreak Anniversary”
H.E.R., “Damage”
Jazmine Sullivan, “Pick Up Your Feelings”
Favorite male Latin artist:
Bad Bunny – WINNER
J Balvin
Maluma
Ozuna
Rauw Alejandro
Favorite female Latin artist:
Becky G
Kali Uchis
KAROL G
Natti Natasha
ROSALÍA
Beautiful: Rosalia has two nominations including favorite female Latin artist
Favorite Latin duo or group:
Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga – WINNER
Calibre 50
Eslabon Armado
La Arrolladora Banda El Limón De Rene Camacho
Los Dos Carnales
Favorite Latin album:
Bad Bunny, El Último Tour Del Mundo – WINNER
Kali Uchis, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)
KAROL G, KG0516
Maluma, Papi Juancho
Rauw Alejandro, Afrodisíaco
Favorite Latin song:
Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez, “DÁKITI”
Bad Bunny x ROSALÍA, “LA NOCHE DE ANOCHE”
Farruko, “Pepas”
Kali Uchis, “telepatía”
Maluma & The Weeknd, “Hawái (Remix)”
Favorite rock artist:
AJR
All Time Low
Foo Fighters
Glass Animals
Machine Gun Kelly – WINNER
Rock on: Machine Gun Kelly is up for favorite rock artist
Favorite inspirational artist:
CAIN
Carrie Underwood
Elevation Worship
Lauren Daigle
Zach Williams
Favorite gospel artist:
Kanye West – WINNER
Kirk Franklin
Koryn Hawthorne
Maverick City Music
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Favorite dance/electronic artist:
David Guetta
ILLENIUM
Marshmello – WINNER
Regard
Tiësto