What to Expect at the 2017 American Music Awards

Jordan Bailey

After 45 years of rewarding excellence in popular music, the American Music Awards is back with its annual ceremony. On Sunday, Nov. 19 at the Microsoft Theater in L.A., the Tracee Ellis Ross-hosted AMAs will offer up a slew of primetime performances by today’s – and yesterday’s – biggest stars in the world of popular music. This year, there will be a particular focus on the women of pop music, with performances by female stars from all eras. The AMAs use public voting to determine its winners, making it the largest fan voted awards show in the world.

Taking top honors in the performance sections of the night are none other than some of the most awarded, and beloved, female pop stars of the past few decades. 2000’s pop-darling Christina Aguilera will take to the stage to perform a tribute to Whitney Houston and her 1992 film “The Bodyguard.” 2017 marks the 25-year anniversary of the film, giving Aguilera a unique opportunity to pay homage to this influential movie. The singer also recently announced that she’ll be working with both Drake’s and Kendrick Lamar’s producers for her upcoming album, her first in five years. The female empowerment continues with a performance by Kelly Clarkson. The inaugural “American Idol” winner has been busy lately as her eighth studio album, “Meaning of Life,” was released Oct. 27. Clarkson will perform a new single from said album alongside a yet-to-be-announced surprise song. Joining the others on Sunday evening is Selena Gomez who just dropped her latest single “Wolves” featuring incognito EDM superstar Marshmello. In fact, her AMA performance will be the live television premier of her new hit. Demi Lovato will be singing her commanding new single “Sorry Not Sorry.” Lovato will take the AMA stage for the second time in her young career. As both performer and award recipient, legendary singer Diana Ross will take home the “Lifetime Achievement” award. This will mark a momentous occasion for the artist whose career spans more than four decades. In the last of a lineup of powerful female vocalists comes Lady Gaga and Pink. Also set to perform is Niall Horan, Imagine Dragons & Khalid, Shawn Mendes, Nick Jonas and collaborations between Alessia Cara and Zedd and  Hailee Steinfeld and Alesso featuring Florida Georgia Line and watt. Finally, in their first-ever U.S. television performance, Korean boy band sensations BTS will sing their global hit “DNA” to an eager crowd of K-Pop loving Americans.

While many of the performers are in the designated pop genre, the awards take to various areas of music. Bruno Mars is at the lead with a total of eight nominations and coming in second, Drake and Ed Sheeran both received five nominations. The most anticipated award for “Artist of the Year” could go to any number of stars in pop and hip-hop. Drake, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar and The Chainsmokers are all nominated for the final award of the evening. Up-and-coming artists will get their due as well with the “New Artist of the Year” award which includes Rae Sremmurd, Post Malone, James Arthur, Julia Michaels and Niall Horan. In one of the more unique awards of the night, “Collaboration of the Year” nominees include the smash hit “Closer” with The Chainsmokers and Halsey as well as the equally popular “Starboy” from The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk.

American Music Awards will take place on Nov. 19 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and will broadcast live Sunday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.