Shock and Awe at the American Music Awards: Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Adam Lambert Shake Up the Place (Fashion Wire Daily)
Los Angeles – Bondage may be the new look for the holidays if the outfits onstage at the American Music Awards held Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles were any indicator.
Rihanna donned a bandage bodysuit á la "The Fifth Element," Lady Gaga got her freak on with a girdle get-up that matched her crazy, bottle-breaking antics, and Jennifer Lopez got rough with a boxer-gladiator look. It was a tough night for Lopez, who slammed into the stage as she dominated her males dancers by walking on their backs; that was not in the rehearsal, as hubsband Marc Anthony watched from the audience.
Jay-Z made the star-studded music scene solo, looking seriously dapper in a white dinner jacket as he shared the stage for a fantastic duet with Alicia Keyes. Perhaps his wife Beyoncé knew she was going to lose out to the hottest thing on wheels, Taylor Swift, for the Favorite Female Artist Award?
Taylor, who accepted her five awards including Artist of the Year via satellite from London, was truly shocked to beat out the late Michael Jackson for that top prize. "I cannot believe it!" she cried, then went on to thank all the fans that voted for her. The American Music Awards have been giving these fan-bestowed awards for 37 years, so many of the wins were no surprise.
Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas were winners, and put on a great set of their songs. Green Day wowed with their song and win, and Shakira hit it with a dance-filled number that had everyone on their feet. Other performers included Janet Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Mary J. Blige, Eminem with Fifty Cent, Timbaland with Nelly Furtado and Soshy, Daughtry, and Kelly Clarkson.
Whitney Houston received the International Artist Award, and performed "I Didn't Know My Own Strength," doing a pale imitation of her old self, and wearing a skintight white Grecian gown that made her look pregnant, but the fans didn't care, giving her a cheering, standing ovation.
Keith Urban looked good in jeans and cowboy boots as he performed, and then took home the Favorite Male Country Artist Award. He shouted out to audience member Nicole Kidman - who also happens to be his wife - "This is for you, baby, and for Sunday," referring to their little girl, and drawing a sigh from the filled-to-the-rafters audience.
The crowd was sighing for a different reason as Adam Lambert closed out the show and joined in on the bondage theme, with a touch of porno and homosexuality thrown in to drive the ABC censors crazy. His over-the-top finale was the talk of the VIP after party held at the Conga Room; that, and actress Kate Hudson's fashion faux pas, as her plunging neckline silver lame mini dress revealed all on national television.