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Frederick M. Brown/Getty

Swift’s attendanceat Tuesday night’s AMAs was a rare public outing for the singer; aside from a high-profile appearanceat the Billboard Music Awardsin May, she hadn’t gone to an awards show since the 2016 Grammys, where she delivered her last televised award show performance (of1989favorite “Out of the Woods”).
Tuesday night she brought it, opening the show with her scorched-earthReputationtrack “I Did Something Bad.”
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TRACEE ELLIS ROSS SHOWED OFF HER MOVES
Kevin Winter/Getty

Second-time host Rossturned the2018 AMAsstage into her very own makeshift dance floor.
TheBlack-ishstaropened the ceremonywith a medley of hits past and present, beginning withCardi B’s ubiquitous “Bodak Yellow” — for which she donned a diamond studded grill that spelled out her initials.
“Wait, I’m not done?!” the star (semi) jokingly gasped midway through the dance routine.
“J.Lo, I don’t know how you do that all the time,” she said as she breathlessly wrapped her performance. “I amnota dancer. I think I’m just a lady who moves.”
03of 08CARDI B RETURNED TO THE STAGEKevin Winter/GettyCardi Bhit the American Music Awards stage Tuesday nightto perform her smash Spanglish single“I Like It” with collaborators Bad Bunny and J Balvin.After arriving in awild floral dresswith a matching fascinator, the rapper changed into a colorful, flowing gown to kick off the performance on a rotating wheel for her opening verse; she then stripped off the skirt to reveal an intricate romper before launching into some choreographed dance moves that paid homage to her Latin roots.Cardi’s AMAs performance was her second public showing since giving birth this summer; on Saturday, sheco-headlined the annual Global Citizen Festivalin New York City’s Central Park alongside Janet Jackson, Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monáe and The Weeknd.
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CARDI B RETURNED TO THE STAGE

Cardi Bhit the American Music Awards stage Tuesday nightto perform her smash Spanglish single“I Like It” with collaborators Bad Bunny and J Balvin.
After arriving in awild floral dresswith a matching fascinator, the rapper changed into a colorful, flowing gown to kick off the performance on a rotating wheel for her opening verse; she then stripped off the skirt to reveal an intricate romper before launching into some choreographed dance moves that paid homage to her Latin roots.
Cardi’s AMAs performance was her second public showing since giving birth this summer; on Saturday, sheco-headlined the annual Global Citizen Festivalin New York City’s Central Park alongside Janet Jackson, Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monáe and The Weeknd.
04of 08STARS URGED FANS TO VOTEKevin Winter/Getty (2)Ross wore the message on her tee, while Billy Eichner — who’s often outspoken about politicson Twitter— implored fans to register and vote while on stage to present.“Young people of America, the biggest election of our lifetime is happening on Nov. 6,” he said, as co-presenter Kathryn Hahn encouraged him. “Tell your friends to vote. If you believe in equality for women, for people of color, the LGBTQ community; if you believe climate change is real and we need to do something about it. Don’t let people tell you your vote doesn’t count. It does. You can go tovote.govlikeTaylor Swift told you toand go right now.“In an acceptance speech later in the evening, Swift again reminded fans to vote.
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STARS URGED FANS TO VOTE
Kevin Winter/Getty (2)

Ross wore the message on her tee, while Billy Eichner — who’s often outspoken about politicson Twitter— implored fans to register and vote while on stage to present.
“Young people of America, the biggest election of our lifetime is happening on Nov. 6,” he said, as co-presenter Kathryn Hahn encouraged him. “Tell your friends to vote. If you believe in equality for women, for people of color, the LGBTQ community; if you believe climate change is real and we need to do something about it. Don’t let people tell you your vote doesn’t count. It does. You can go tovote.govlikeTaylor Swift told you toand go right now.”
In an acceptance speech later in the evening, Swift again reminded fans to vote.
05of 08XXXTENTACION’S MOTHER ACCEPTED HER LATE SON’S AWARDFrederick M. Brown/GettyAfter the late musician was awarded the favorite soul/R&B album title for his debut album,17,his mother Cleopatra Bernard took the stage to claim the prize from presenters Lauren Daigle andKane Brown.“I’m so nervous, you guys,” Bernard told the crowd in L.A.’s Microsoft Theater.“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of my son. I would like to thank the AMAs, his fans and to everyone who made this possible. Thank you guys so much; I appreciate this.”In June, XXXTentacion (born Jahseh Onfroy) wasfatally shotat a motorcycle dealership outside of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; he was 20 years old. A month later, four men wereindictedon first-degree murder and armed robbery charges in relation to the case.
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XXXTENTACION’S MOTHER ACCEPTED HER LATE SON’S AWARD

After the late musician was awarded the favorite soul/R&B album title for his debut album,17,his mother Cleopatra Bernard took the stage to claim the prize from presenters Lauren Daigle andKane Brown.
“I’m so nervous, you guys,” Bernard told the crowd in L.A.’s Microsoft Theater.
“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of my son. I would like to thank the AMAs, his fans and to everyone who made this possible. Thank you guys so much; I appreciate this.”
In June, XXXTentacion (born Jahseh Onfroy) wasfatally shotat a motorcycle dealership outside of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; he was 20 years old. A month later, four men wereindictedon first-degree murder and armed robbery charges in relation to the case.
06of 08MISSY ELLIOTT’S ‘FUNKY WHITE SISTER’ WAS IN THE CROWDABCCiaraandElliottjoined forces at theAmerican Music AwardsTuesday to perform a remix of the hit track “Level Up.”The duoshowed off their impressive dance movesduring the collaboration, and there was even a special cameo! Elliott’s “funky white sister”Mary Halsey, whowent viralover the summer after posting a video of herself performing “Work It” online, was proudly watching the ladies perform from her seat.
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MISSY ELLIOTT’S ‘FUNKY WHITE SISTER’ WAS IN THE CROWD
ABC

CiaraandElliottjoined forces at theAmerican Music AwardsTuesday to perform a remix of the hit track “Level Up.”
The duoshowed off their impressive dance movesduring the collaboration, and there was even a special cameo! Elliott’s “funky white sister”Mary Halsey, whowent viralover the summer after posting a video of herself performing “Work It” online, was proudly watching the ladies perform from her seat.
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TAYLOR SWIFT BROKE A RECORD

It’s official:Swiftis the most decorated female artist inAmerican Music Awardshistory!
Houston, whodiedin February 2012 at age 48, earned 21 trophies during her lifetime.Michael Jackson, whodiedin 2009 at age 50, earned 24 AMAs during his lifetime.
Thereputationhitmaker, 28, took home some of the night’s big awards, including tour of the year favorite pop/rock album andartist of the year.
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A ROUSING TRIBUTE TO ARETHA FRANKLIN CLOSED THE SHOW

Aretha Franklinwas honoredwith a tributefit for the Queen of Soul.
source: people.com