LOS ANGLES, California (Reuters) — Pink, Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera led the female artists of pop music who dominated the American Music Awards stage on Sunday (November 19) with their powerful performances, despite being edged out by male artists in most award categories this year.
Bruno Mars won Artist of the Year, former One Direction member Niall Horan won New Artist of the Year and Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, Justin Bieber and Daddy Yankee won Collaboration of the Year for the catchy “Despacito.”
But it was the women of pop who delivered the night’s biggest moments.
Pink and Kelly Clarkson sang REM’s “Everybody Hurts,” dedicated to first responders and victims of the recent hurricanes and wildfires that have ravaged parts of the United States.
Pink later performed aerial acrobatics from a high-rise building while singing “Beautiful Trauma.”
Lady Gaga performed “The Cure” from the Washington D.C. stop of her tour, playing on a Perspex piano and then dancing as sparks rained down on stage. She won favorite female pop/rock artist.
“Just remember that if you feel different or not understood, don’t you dare give up on who you are, fight like hell for what you believe in,” Lady Gaga said.
Motown superstar Diana Ross received this year’s lifetime achievement award with video tributes from Barack and Michelle Obama and Taylor Swift. Ross performed a medley of her hits including “I’m Coming Out,” “Take Me Higher” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
“I feel so humbled by this,” Ross said, surrounded by her family on stage.
The fan-voted American Music Awards show, televised on ABC, features performances from pop music’s biggest names.
Actress Viola Davis paid tribute to the late Whitney Houston and the 25th anniversary of Houston’s film “The Bodyguard,” as Christina Aguilera belted a medley of hits from the film. Houston died in 2012 aged 48 after drowning in a hotel bathtub.
Demi Lovato, who was accompanied by newly-elected Virginia legislator Danica Roem, the first openly transgender person to win a state legislative seat, performed her latest hit “Sorry/Not Sorry.”
Selena Gomez sang “Wolves” with DJ Marshmello, Alessia Cara and DJ Zedd performed a stripped down version of their dance track “Stay” and Hailee Steinfeld joined DJ Alesso, country duo Florida Georgia Line and musician Watt for “Let Me Go.”
Korean boy band BTS garnered some of the loudest screams from the audience as they performed “DNA” on a neon-lit stage.
Linkin Park was named best alternative rock artist, a bittersweet win for the band after the July suicide of frontman Chester Bennington.
The band dedicated the win to Bennington and “his memory, his talent, his sense of humor, to his joy.”