Rihanna opened up the 2010 American Music Awards (AMA) on November 21 with a musical compilation of her recent hits, including “Love The Way You Lie (Part II),” “What’s My Name” and “Only Girl.” While the singing was a bit off key, she looked as hot as ever with her bright red curls. She even went on to win an award for Soul/R&B Female later in the night.
Awards
The first award of the evening was given to Usher for the category of Soul/R&B Album. This was the fifth AMA award for Usher, who looked slick in his leather jacket, and his third award for this category. He had three nominations for the 2010 awards ceremony, and won two of those categories, picking up a second award for Soul/R&B Male.
Taylor Swift won her only award of the night for Country Female, wearing her usually curly blonde hair pin straight. This was her seventh AMA win, and her third win in a row for this category.
Justin Bieber stole the show with four wins. He took home awards for TMobile Breakthrough Artist (viewers got to text their vote during the first hour of the show), Pop/Rock Male, Pop/Rock Album and Artist of the Year (he was the younger person to ever win the award).
Other wins include Michael Buble for Adult Contemporary Artist, The Black Eyed Peas for Pop/Rock Band, Lady Gaga for Pop/Rock Female and Lady Antebellum for Country Band/Duo.
Performances
Taylor Swift gave a stunning performance of “December,” playing piano on a stage full of beautifully lit trees and faux snow. The Black Eyed Peas sang their new hit single “The Time (The Dirty Bit)”, which is based off the classic song from the movie Dirty Dancing. Katy Perry lit up the stage with her performance of “Firework,” wearing a stunning red dress (she was nominated for three awards and attended the event with new husband Russell Brand).
Other notable performances include: Miley Cyrus, who sang “Forgiveness and Love” on a stage covered in red candles; Justin Bieber, who played the piano and sang his song “Pray” while wearing a sharp white and black suit; Usher, who danced to “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love”; and a boy band collaboration between The Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block.
