No question Justin Timberlakes is the man of the year, but oh how the women
of pop music proved its their world again at the American Music Awards.
Debonair at every turn, Timberlake put on a great performance and said
something funny each time he appeared. But it was Taylor Swift who won the
night, taking home four awards, including top honour artist of the year for the
third time. It was Rihanna who won the Icon Award — at age 25. And it was Miley
Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry who will again drive the morning’s water-cooler
conversation with their continuing awards show brinksmanship.
Not to worry, though, JT, we’ll still include you our five moments to
remember. But first, Miley:
— Miley’s kitty: What was that exactly? We can describe it, no problem:
Cyrus performed her hit “Wrecking Ball” as a duet of sorts with a
giant, lip-syncing CGI kitten that floated through space projected on a screen
behind her. But no way can we explain it. Playfully absurdist, it was a moment
Salvador Dali would be proud of. And like all of these performances so far, it
became delightfully self-referential when the cat finished the song by winking
and sticking its tongue out — Cyrus’ trademark move.
— Mr. President: After imitating a sex act last weekend on “Saturday
Night Live,” it was hard to imagine how Lady Gaga and R. Kelly might
approach their performance of “Do What U Want” on Sunday night. They
went high concept, casting Kelly as the president and Gaga as a Marilyn
Monroe-like figure. Throughout the course of the song, Gaga dances on President
Kelly’s desk as he gazes up at her, their relationship is outed on Instagram
and Kelly storms out when a reporter starts questioning him about the affair.
— The question: — As usual, comedian Sarah Silverman got right to the heart
of the uncomfortable subject in the room — white folks winning awards that
usually go to black performers. She noted the nominees for favourite
soul/R&B album were Timberlake, Robin Thicke and Rihanna: “One, a
white kid from the Mickey Mouse Club, one the son of the dad from ‘Growing
Pains,’ and the other a strong, soulful Caribbean woman of colour. I don’t know
who will win, but I do know who should find this most ironic if she
loses.”
Timberlake, also the favourite soul-R&B male artist, won: “Thank
you, Sarah. Growing up in Memphis, Tenn., I can honestly say that’s the first
time I’ve ever been racially profiled by a white woman.”
— Channeling Celia: You’re left wondering after the show how long Jennifer
Lopez prepared for her Celia Cruz tribute. Lopez was sexy and dazzling, leading
a troupe of two dozen dancers through complex routines without missing a step
in salute to the Salsa legend. She changed outfits on stage twice, finishing
with a shimmering silver singlet and wining triumphantly at the crowd as her
dancers sprawled about her at the end of the tribute.
— Hi, mom: Monica Fenty, Rihanna’s mom, hi-jacked the show when she came on
stage to present her daughter with the AMA’s first Icon Award. The singer put
her arm around her mother as she spoke, and told stories about growing up in
Barbados after accepting the award. “Right now I cannot believe at 25
years old that I’m holding an Icon Award,” Rihanna said. “That is
weird to even say out loud.”
