Matt Sayles, Invision/APSelena Gomez accepts the award favorite female artist pop/rock at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APAriana Grande accepts the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APSting performs a medley at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APBrian Kelley, left, and Tyler Hubbard, of Florida Georgia Line, accept the award for favorite country duo/group at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APTim McGraw accepts the award for favorite country song for "Humble and Kind" at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APTyka Nelson accepts the award for top soundtrack for "Purple Rain" on behalf of her brother Prince at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APJohn Legend performs "Love Me Now"at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APZayn Malik accepts the award for new artist of the year at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APAriana Grande, second from left, and Nicki Minaj, third from right, perform "Side To Side"at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APLauren Jauregui, from left, Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello, Dinah Jane, Normani Kordei, of Fifth Harmony, and Ty Dolla $ign accept the award for collaboration of the year for "Work From Home" at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APAlex Pall, left, and Andrew Taggart, of The Chainsmokers, accept the award for favorite artist - electronic dance music at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APDrake accepts the award for favorite album rap/hip-hop for "Views" at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/APHosts Gigi Hadid, left, and Jay Pharoah appear at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Matt Sayles, Invision/APBruno Mars, center, performs "24K Magic" at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Jordan Strauss, Invision/APLady Gaga arrives at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Jordan Strauss, Invision/APLady Gaga arrives at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Matt Sayles, Invision/AP
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Selena Gomez accepts the award favorite female artist pop/rock at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
ExpandBy The Denver Post | newsroom@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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The 2016 American Music Awards featured a number of pop stars strumming their guitars, Drake making a rare awards show appearance, an emotional speech from Selena Gomez and political moments about President-elect Donald Trump.


















