Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor kiss, amas 2015

Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor kiss onstage during the 2015 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.  

 Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The 2015 AMAs set out to break the Internet with surprise performances and unexpected presenters (*waves to Harrison Ford*). With a blockbuster lineup, Sunday night's festivities kept timelines on their toes with a throwback performance from Alanis Morissette and a Star Wars score courtesy of Pentatonix. Recap with the best and worst moments from the American Music Awards below.

2015 American Music Awards: See the Photos

Best Moments

Selena Gomez shines bright

With a staircase full of tuxedoed male dancers, a bedazzled Selena Gomez delivered “Same Old Love” with fireballs and disco balls for a shimmery performance of her 2015 album Revival. While the track was heavily censored, Gomez’s set offered the night’s most eye candy.

American Music Awards 2015: Check Out All the Winners Here

Miss Piggy says "Hello" spoof

While it was a plug for ABC’s forthcoming show The Muppets, Miss Piggy and her former flame, Kermit The Frog, teamed for a commercial spoof that Adele would be quick to co-sign.

Watch Miss Piggy Perfectly Channel Adele in Hilarious 'Hello' Parody

Anna Kendrick outlines her Thank Yous

Loaded with sarcasm and inside jokes, Anna Kendrick proved she wrote the book on thank you speeches after accepting the award on behalf of the Pitch Perfect 2 cast for their Top Soundtrack AMA win. Sample line: "You're a ruthless little group of socio paths and I admire that about you."

2015 American Music Awards: See All of Our Coverage

Ariana Grande brings "Focus"

Her first TV performance of "Focus" included a fringe-y ensemble as she pranced around in white pumps and shook her tail feather. 

The Weeknd Performs 'The Hills' at the 2015 American Music Awards

The Weeknd delivers fiery set

Abel Tesfaye set the stage aflame -- as he oft does -- for a hot rendition of "The Hills." Without breaking a sweat that could be seen on HD flat screens, The Weeknd was soaking up the spotlight, especially after winning the AMA for Best Soul/ R&B album for Beauty Behind the Madness.

Diddy gives special shout out

Puff Daddy saying: "Can we give it up for Jennifer Lopez?" as flashbacks to 1999 to 2001 when the two were an item danced in the Internet's minds. 

​

Celine Dion performs tribute to Paris

With a heartfelt preamble from Jared Leto, the iconic songbird performed "Hymne a L’Amour" for a touching tribute to Paris and the victims of the recent attacks at Le Bataclan. With a montage of the city's landmarks including The Louvre and The Eiffel Tower, Dion did Edith Piaf's record justice. 

Celine Dion Will Perform Tribute to Paris Victims at American Music Awards

Alanis Morissette returns

1995 made its way into 2015 with Alanis Morissette's performance of "You Oughta Know" with special guest Demi Lovato. Suffice to say, the '90s babies lost their shit.

Justin Bieber makes a splash

For the finale, the Biebs brought his best jams to the stage from "What Do You Mean?" to "Where Are U Now," but the Canadian singer turned on the waterworks for "Sorry" with an on-stage shower. Sorry, no pans to Selena Gomez here. 

Worst Moments

Jennifer Lopez busts a move 

Dressed in tribal garb designed by DSQUARED2, Jennifer Lopez belted the opening notes of her 1999 club smash “Waiting For Tonight” (the opera version, not the original) before launching into a dance-a-thon for the year’s monster hits including Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda,” Beyonce “Feeling Myself,” and Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money.” She then made it rain with bills falling from the sky. Still, it was a bummer for JLo Stans, who awaited a flashback compilation of her jams.

Gwen Stefani pours her heart out

With a montage of selfies as her backdrop, Gwen Stefani had a message to her old life with “Used To Love You.” It seemed like an ill-timed performance given her current relationship status: currently swooning in blossoming romance with The Voice co-star, Blake Shelton, after finalizing her split from Gavin Rossdale. 

Charlie Puth at the 2015 American Music Awards: Meghan Trainor Is a 'Great Kisser'​

Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth's liplock

In a black rain coat and strappy pumps, Meghan Trainor delivered a sweet rendition of “Like I’m Gonna Lose You." The cameras then panned to Charlie Puth, who hit the stage with his piano for a soulful performance of “Marvin Gaye.” While the set hit all the right notes, the two engaged in a steamy yet awkward make out sesh for the Internet to Vine and simultaneously shudder at. Even country star Luke Bryan had to shout them out during his acceptance speech. 

Pentatonix takes Star Wars

Pentatonix spent a good chunk of time singing the Star Wars theme song, backed by a full-on orchestra (as advertised) as a timely endorsement for The Force Awakens but not sure if Chewbacca & Co. would have gotten jiggy with this set. 

American Music Awards 2015: Check Out All the Winners Here

Honorable Mention

Coldplay's trippy performance 

The British rock group’s psychedelic performance of “Adventures of a Lifetime” included LED balloons and four monkeys. It’s Chris Martin’s world -- we just live in it.

2015 AMAs

Print

Tagged