Bruno Mars sweeps seven awards at AMAs

The 2017 American Music Awards were packed with more than a dozen amazing performances onj Sunday night, but after all the confetti had fallen and Pink was lowered down from the side of that hotel in Los Angeles, Bruno Mars, Keith Urban and Luis Fonsi's “Despacito” were the night's biggest award winners.

Mars wasn't at Los Angeles' Microsoft Theater for the show, but he was the run-away winner with seven total trophies, including Favorite Artist of the Year, with Favorite Male Artist Pop/Rock, Favorite Album Pop/Rock for his smash “24K Magic”, Favorite Male Artist Soul/R&B, Favorite Album Soul/R&B, Video of the Year and Favorite Song Soul/R&B for “That's What I Like”. Urban was just behind with a hat trick including Favorite Male Artist - Country, as well as Favorite Country Album (“Ripcord”) and Favorite Country Song (“Blue Ain't Your Color”).

Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber were amply rewarded for launching one of the biggest singles in Latin crossover history with their uber-smash remix of “Despacito”, which won Favorite Song Pop/Rock and Collaboration of the year.

The night of incredible performances began with a touching tribute to the first responders and heroes who've helped the nation weather a year of disasters, from flood and hurricanes to mass shootings, with Pink and Kelly Clarkson teaming up for the first time to perform R.E.M.'s iconic “Everybody Hurts”. From host Tracee Ellis Ross' inspiring, funny opening monologue to Demi Lovato's woman-power-fueled “Sorry Not Sorry”, the night frequently shone a spotlight on the power of strong women's voices.

Other performers included Nick Jonas, Hailee Steinfeld with Alesso and Florida Georgia Line, Shawn Mendes, Macklemore and Skylar Grey, Portugal. The Man, Zedd with Alessia Cara, Khalid & Imagine Dragons, Lady Gaga, a high-flying solo performance from Pink, Niall Horan, Clarkson, a medley from lifetime achievement honoree Diana Ross and the scream-inducing AMA debut of K-pop superstars BTS. The show also featured the TV debut of Selena Gomez and Marshmello's “Wolves”, and Christina Aguilera's thrilling tribute to the 25th anniversary of Whitney Houston's soundtrack for “The Bodyguard”.

Imagine Dragons took the first award of the night for Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock for their song “Thunder”.

Though he wasn't on hand to accept, Mars checked in from the back seat of a minivan to collect his Artist of the Year honor. Following in the footsteps of his former 1D bandmate Zayn, Niall Horan won New Artist of the Year trophy, while Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Song went to DJ Khaled's gang smash “I'm the One”, Drake scored Favorite Artist Rap/Hip-Hop and Kendrick Lamar's “DAMN” nabbed Favorite Album Rap/Hip-Hop.

The Chainsmokers were handed Favorite EDM artist, Shawn Mendes earned Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist and Carrie Underwood took Favorite Female Artist Country. Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist went to Lady Gaga, who accepted the award from the stage of her show in Washington DC. An on-tour Fonsi dedicated his win to his storm-ravaged home Puerto Rico.In one of the show's more touching moments, three members of Linkin Park took the stage to accept the trophy for Favorite Alternative Artist. Missing, of course, was late lead singer Chester Bennington, who died in July at age 41. “We want to dedicate this award to him, to his memory, to his talent, to his sense of humor, to his joy,” Mike Shinoda said of Bennington.

Other winners included Little Big Town for Favorite Duo or Group Country, Beyoncé for Favorite Female Artist Soul/R&B, Coldplay for Favorite Tour of the Year, Shakira for Favorite Artist Latin, the Moana album for Top Soundtrack and Lauren Daigle for Favorite Artist Contemporary Inspirational.

Source: Billboard