The list of things nobody tunes into the American Music Awards to see is a long one, but this year’s edition seemed determined to pack in as many of them as possible.
There was the goofy Seattle rapper Macklemore ranting hard about prescription-drug abuse. There was Alanis Morissette, that icon of 1990s alternative pop, performing a song older than many in the broadcast’s intended audience. And there were Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth sharing an uncomfortably intimate onstage kiss that dared you to look away.
Yes, Sunday night’s show, airing live on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles, often made you wonder if the AMAs had forgotten their place as a young, fan-voted alternative to the more august Grammy Awards and the proudly edgy MTV Video Music Awards. Eager to stand out in an increasingly crowded award-show scene, the production doubled down on would-be big moments but ended up sacrificing much of its breezy charm. (For what it’s worth, the night’s big winners — including One Direction, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande — stuck tight to the AMAs’ established brand. But performances, not trophies, were what mattered here.)
Advertisement
The show started promisingly, with Jennifer Lopez doing a few bars of her song “Waiting for Tonight,” then stopping the music to announce with a not-quite-straight face, “Tonight’s not about me.” That was the cue for an impressive sequence in which Lopez, also the show’s host, moved with real fire to some of the year’s most indelible pop hits, including the Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” and Drake’s “Hotline Bling.” It felt like fandom professionalized, precisely what an awards show should do.
The Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer was fun too, bashing through an appealingly scrappy version of its pop-punk song “Hey Everybody!” And Coldplay appeared to be having a good time in “Adventure of a Lifetime,” which for some reason featured the band’s grinning frontman, Chris Martin, dancing alongside several people in gorilla suits. (You want coherence? Watch the International Bluegrass Music Awards.)
1/51
American Music Awards 2015, held in Los Angeles at the Microsoft Theater.
(Getty Images / Associated Press)
2/51
Jennifer Lopez hosts the show at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
3/51
Justin Bieber, left, performs.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
4/51
Water plays a huge part in Justin Bieber’s AMA finale performance.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
5/51
Justin Bieber at the American Music Awards. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
6/51
Macklemore, left, and Leon Bridges perform a statement-riddled song.
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)
7/51
Fall Out Boy accepts the Favorite Alternative Artist award.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
8/51
Actor-singer Jared Leto speaks onstage as he introduces a performance by Celine Dion.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
9/51
Celine Dion performs a song from Edith Piaf.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
10/51
Actor Harrison Ford introduces a “Star Wars”-centric performance.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
11/51
An orchestra performs a tribute to “Star Wars.”
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)
12/51
Avi Kaplan, left, Kirstie Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, and Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix perform during a tribute to the theme song of “Star Wars.”
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
13/51
Avi Kaplan, Kirstie Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, and Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix perform, with Darth Vader watching over the quintet and the accompanying orchestra.
Luke Bryan and Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town perform.
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)
16/51
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Singer The Weeknd performs onstage during the 2015 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD ** (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
17/51
Musicians Diplo, left, Skrillex and Justin Bieber accept Collaboration of the Year award for “Where Are U Now.”
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
18/51
Carrie Underwood accepts the award for Favorite Female Artist — Country.
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)
19/51
Nicki Minaj accepts the award for Favorite Album — Rap/hip-hop for “The Pinkprint.”
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)
20/51
Paula Abdul, center, and Donnie Wahlberg, right, present Ariana Grande with the award for Favorite Female artist — Pop/rock.
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)
21/51
Singer Ariana Grande takes a moment to accept the Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist award.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
22/51
Singer Chris Martin, center, and musicians Jonny Buckland, left, Will Champion and Guy Berryman of Coldplay.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
23/51
Ariana Grande thanks the fans as she accepts the Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist award.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
24/51
Chris Martin of Coldplay
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
25/51
The Weeknd and fire.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
26/51
Singer Sam Hunt accepts New Artist of the Year award.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
27/51
Nick Jonas performs a medley of his 2015 hits.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
28/51
Nick Jonas performs his hit “Jealous.”
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
29/51
Gwen Stefani sings with emotion.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
30/51
Gwen Stefani performs.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
31/51
Niall Horan, left, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson of One Direction perform.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
32/51
Nicki Minaj presents the award for Favorite Duo or Group — Pop/rock.
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)
33/51
Model Gigi Hadid, left, and TV personality Kylie Jenner walk onstage as presenters.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
34/51
Hannah Davis, left, and Wiz Khalifa introduce a performance by 5 Seconds of Summer.
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)
35/51
Michael Clifford, left, Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin, and Calum Hood of 5 Seconds of Summer perform.
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)
36/51
Actresses Hailee Steinfeld, left, Chrissie Fit, Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick accept Top Soundtrack award for “Pitch Perfect 2.”
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
37/51
Carrie Underwood performs.
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)
38/51
Carrie Underwood belts out a tune.
(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated press)
39/51
Ariana Grande starts off singing solo.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
40/51
Ariana Grande performs.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
41/51
Selena Gomez performs with a cadre of male dancers onstage during the 2015 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Nov. 22, 2015.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
42/51
Actors Nick Robinson and Chloe Grace Moretz introduce a performance.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
43/51
Singers Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor perform the song “Let’s Marvin Gaye and Get it On.”
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
44/51
Singers Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor kiss onstage, something they’ve done before.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
45/51
Demi Lovato performs.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
46/51
Demi Lovato and her backup dancers, perform.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
47/51
Singers Niall Horan, left, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne of One Direction accept the Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group award.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
48/51
Prince speaks onstage as he prepares to hand out the award for soul/R&B album.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
49/51
The Weeknd accepts Favorite Soul/R&B Album for “Beauty Behind the Madness.”
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
50/51
Host Jennifer Lopez performs onstage during the opening.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
51/51
Jennifer Lopez snuggles with a dancer.
(Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
Advertisement
Yet too many other acts seemed deflated by the pressure to deliver something noteworthy, none more than the usually effervescent Gwen Stefani, who looked miserable — more miserable than she meant to, that is — in “Used to Love You,” her gloomy new ballad about her breakup with her husband, Gavin Rossdale.
Teaming with Demi Lovato for the groundbreaking “You Oughta Know,” Morissette failed to muster the intensity that might’ve shown a new generation the impact her song has had on today’s young stars. And One Direction, the British boy band on a lengthy farewell tour before it goes on hiatus next year, seemed utterly bored in a performance of “Perfect,” hardly up to the task of a weepy emotional display.
The AMAs managed a few genuine jolts. Nick Jonas was unexpectedly soulful in a medley of his 2015 hits, equaling a lively gospel choir in “Jealous.” Justin Bieber, who closed the show, effectively literalized the cleansing he’s been after following several years of tabloid troubles with a performance of “Sorry” that had him drenched in a simulated downpour.
Advertisement
1/23
Selena Gomez walks the red carpet as she attends the 2015 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Nov. 22, 2015.
(Mark Davis / Getty Images / Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
2/23
Recording artist Gwen Stefani, left, and model Gigi Hadid
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
3/23
Model Kendall Jenner, left, and tv personality Kylie Jenner
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
4/23
Carrie Underwood
(Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press)
5/23
Demi Lovato
(Mark Davis / Getty Images)
6/23
Recording artists Skrillex, left, and Diplo
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
7/23
Actress Rebel Wilson, left, actress Jenny McCarthy and actor Donnie Wahlberg, and recording artist Paula Abdul
(Left and center - Mark Davis/Getty Images; right - Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
8/23
Rebecca Black, left, recording artist Z LaLa and singer-actress Zendaya
(Left - Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP; center - Jason Merritt/Getty Images; right - Mark Davis/Getty Images)
9/23
Michael Clifford, left, Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings and Ashton Irwin of 5 Seconds of Summer
(Mark Davis / Getty Images)
10/23
Actress Alicia Silverstone, actor Norman Reedus and recording artist Justin Bieber
(Left and right - Jason Merritt/Getty Images; center - Mark Davis/Getty Images)
11/23
Singer Ciara, left, actor Terry Crews and TV personality Cheryl Burke
(Left and center - Mark Davis/Getty Images; center - Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
12/23
Recording artists Philip Sweet, left, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
13/23
TV personality Terri Seymour, left, actress Danica McKellar, TV personality Liz Hernandez
(Left and right - Jason Merritt/Getty Images; center - Mark Davis/Getty Images)
14/23
Recording artists Kevin Ray, left, Sean Waugaman, Nicholas Petricca and Eli Maiman of music group Walk The Moon
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
15/23
Jeannie Mai
(Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press)
16/23
TV personality Rocsi Diaz, left, singer Charlie Puth aand TV personality Keltie Knight
(Left - Jason Merritt/Getty Images; center and right - Mark Davis/Getty Images)
17/23
Recording artist Diplo
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
18/23
Recording artists Lauren Jauregui, left, Ally Brooke, Normani Hamilton, Camila Cabello and Dinah-Jane Hansen of Fifth Harmony
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
19/23
Internet personality Griffin Arnlund, left, actress Bailee Madison and TV personality Giuliana Rancic
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
20/23
Recording artist Alanis Morissette, left, actress Nina Dobrev and singer Meghan Trainor
(Left - Jason Merritt/Getty Images; center and right - Mark Davis/Getty Images)
21/23
Recording artists Liam Payne, left, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles of One Direction
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
22/23
Ricky Garcia, left, Emery Kelly and Liam Attridge of Forever in Your Mind
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
23/23
Actress Kat Graham
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
There was also the surprising presence of Celine Dion, who sang Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’Amour” as part of a tribute to the victims of the recent Paris terror attacks. Before Dion performed, Jared Leto gave a sober, seemingly heartfelt speech in which he spoke up in favor of immigration and described one Parisian’s refusal to give into fear.
Like much of this year’s AMAs, Leto was aiming for Oscars-style gravitas. But in this instance, the weight of the moment felt earned.
