The band One Direction (1D) might have debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts behind singer Justin Bieber, but they won the top award at Sunday’s American Music Awards (AMA).
“This is a testament to how incredible our fans are,” One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson said onstage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
“We just want to thank everyone that’s helped us in the last five years,” One Direction’s Liam Payne added.
Photo: Reuters
The band won the top award at last year’s show — as a quintet with Zayn Malik. They also won favorite duo or group — pop/rock on Sunday night.
Bieber, who won best collaboration with DJ Diplo and music producer Skrillex, closed the night with a medley of his songs, including Sorry, Where Are U Now and What Do You Mean. Purple laser lights beamed from the stage as the singer danced and sang for the audience.
Billboard announced on Sunday Bieber’s new album, Purpose, was to debut at No. 1 on its charts yesterday after selling 649,000 equivalent albums. It beat out One Direction’s Made In the A.M., which sold 459,000 equivalent albums.
Singer Celine Dion paid tribute to the victims of the recent Paris attacks by singing Edith Piaf’s Hymne a L’amour in French as some audience members cried.
Actor and singer Jared Leto, who introduced Dion, said his band 30 Seconds to Mars recently performed at the Bataclan, the Paris concert hall where 89 people were killed in the Nov. 13 attack.
Dion earned a rousing applause after her performance, which started with the Eiffel Tower projected behind her.
Singer The Weeknd’s performance was also a favorite and he walked away with two awards, and presented the first one from singer Prince.
“Make some noise for Prince, ladies and gentlemen,” the singer said after picking up favorite album — soul/R&B for Beauty Behind the Madness.
Performer Nicki Minaj was also a double winner, taking home favorite artist and album — rap/hip-hop. She encouraged her fans to “find their voice.”
“I want to just thank you, the fans, for allowing me to change and have a different voice every time I come back out [with a new album],” Minaj said.
“And please find your voice and find your purpose before it’s too late. Love you,” she added.
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