ALL ABOUT THE AMAS

Azalea, who earned a total of six nominations, took home the Rap Album and Rap Artist trophies. In her second acceptance speech she thanked Island chief David Massey, who was at Island Def Jam when she was signed to the label and who has been a longtime champion.

Swift was awarded the first-ever Dick Clark Award for Excellence, presented to her by the legendary Diana Ross.

Fanning the flames on the recent Spotify debate, Taylor accepted the award announcing, “What you did by going out and investing in music and albums is you are saying that you believe in the same thing that I believe in: that music is valuable and music should be consumed in albums and albums should be consumed as art and appreciated.”

Frozen was honored as the Top Soundtrack. The smash Disney album is currently in a neck-and-neck race for the biggest record of 2014 with the recently mentioned Ms. Swift.

The new Single of the Year award was presented to Katy Perry f/Juicy J’s “Dark Horse.” The superstar couldn’t accept her awards in person; according to her Instagram, she was climbing bridges in Australia on her Prismatic World Tour.

The lads of One Direction sauntered away with the Artist of the Year award just as their new album. FOUR, prepares to debut at #1.

Swift kicked off the show, reinterpreting her “Blank Space” music video with an over-the-top performance that included pyrotechnics and flying stunts.

The night also included performances from Magic! f/Wyclef Jean, 5 Seconds of Summer (who covered The Romantics' "What I Like About You"), Imagine Dragons, Sam Smith, Iggy Azalea, Lorde, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande f/The Weeknd, Jessie J, Nicki Minaj, Fergie and more.





Azalea and her dance team glamorously averted technical difficulties during “Fancy,” although she could be heard mumbling about a mic malfunction off-camera.

On the red carpet before the show, U.K.sensation Ella Henderson gave an intimate, outdoor performance of herbreakthrough single, “Ghost,” and rising a cappella stars Pentatonix broke into a melodious,impromptu version of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” reminding us what seasonit is, despite the high-70s heat in L.A.

The tail end of the show was appropriately marked by Jennifer Lopez & Iggy Azalea’s performance of “Booty.” By the end of the 3-hour telecast, our booties had become notably couch-shaped.



THE WINNERS

Artist of the Year:
One Direction

New Artist of the Year Presented by Kohl’s:
5 Seconds of Summer

Single of the Year:
Katy Perry f/Juicy J, “Dark Horse” (Capitol)

Favorite Male Artist - Pop/Rock:
Sam Smith

Favorite Female Artist - Pop/Rock:
Katy Perry

Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Pop/Rock:
One Direction

Favorite Album - Pop/Rock:
One Direction, Midnight Memories

Favorite Male Artist - Country:
Luke Bryan

Favorite Female Artist - Country:
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Country:
Florida Georgia Line

Favorite Album - Country:
Brantley Gilbert, Just As I Am

Favorite Artist - Rap/Hip Hop:
Iggy Azalea

Favorite Album - Rap/Hip Hop:
Iggy Azalea, The New Classic

Favorite Male Artist - Soul/R&B:
John Legend

Favorite Female Artist - Soul/R&B:
Beyonce

Favorite Album - Soul/R&B:
Beyonce, Beyonce

Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock:
Imagine Dragons

Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary:
Katy Perry

Favorite Artist - Latin:
Enrique Iglesias

Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational:
Casting Crowns

Favorite Artist - Electronic Dance Music:
Calvin Harris

Top Soundtrack:
Frozen