The singer is now the most decorated AMA artist
Taylor Swift took the AMAs by storm. The singer delivered a feisty opening performance of her hit single “I did something bad”, and two memorable acceptance speeches.
She has a BIG reputation and she had a HUGE year. @taylorswift13 is your #AMAs Artist of the Year! #TaylorSwiftAMAs pic.twitter.com/m7r4j9csKm
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) October 10, 2018
Swift was nominated for four awards at the AMAs this year: Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Artist (Pop/Rock), Favorite Album (Pop/Rock), and Tour of the Year. The singer already had 19 AMAs in her arsenal before, and a triple win this year has made her the most awarded female artist in AMA history.
The diva started the night by making her presence known on the red carpet at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. She wore a metallic silver dress by Balmain with matching boots, completing the look with Ofira Jewels earrings, and rings by Lorraine Schwartz, and Ofira. Her hair was up in a bun, in a departure from her usual messy waves.
Taylor then dominated the stage with a fiery performance of “I Did Something Bad”, a revengeful pop song from her 2017 album, “Reputation”. The performance began with ‘Tay-Tay’ standing on top of a pile of dancers, with her back to the crowd. She slowly turned to face the crowd while singing, “I never trust a narcissist, but they love me.”
The stage filled with smoke and flashing lights as the song progressed.
Taylor effortlessly belted out, “They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one,” while being propelled around stage on the dancers’ shoulders as a massive cobra (named Karyn) hung in the air behind her. This performance was an amazing comeback after Swift’s last AMA performance from 2014, (when she performed ‘Blank Space’ from her last album ‘1989’).
The 28 year old singer went on to win ‘Tour of the Year’ and ‘Favorite Album (Pop/Rock)’. Upon winning the latter, she delivered a speech that sent fans into a frenzy.
The country-to-Pop crossover princess spoke with emotion, and even mentioned her plans for her next album:
“Guys, I always look at albums as chapters in my life and to the fans, I’m so happy that you like this one. I’m so happy that this means that you like this one. I have to be really honest with you about something, I’m even more excited about the next one.”
Ohh look what your votes made her do… @taylorswift13 won another #AMAs for Favorite Album – Pop/Rock! #TaylorSwiftAMAs pic.twitter.com/brCtDShU44
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) October 10, 2018
Swift then went on to win the biggest accolade of the night, taking home the Artist of the Year award. It became apparent during her speech, that her recent Instagram post related to politics was not the last of her political activism. The pop icon did not let the opportunity slide to make yet another political statement, reinforcing the importance of voting to her fans.
She began by thanking her fans:
“I just want to say you guys,… you guys have been so nice to me, and so fun, and funny, and you’re so cool, and so loyal and I am so… it is not lost on me. I understand how lucky I am to have anyone that cares about me and my music and… Wow!”
She added, “Okay, I just… every time that you have made me lucky enough to ever get- to stand on a stage and have something sparkly in my hands and say thank you… every single time this happens, it means something differently to me… It means something different every time! It represents something different. And this time I just want you to know it represents encouragement, and motivation for me to be better, work harder, and try to make you guys proud, as much as I can.”
Just when we thought she was done, she ended the speech on a political note, urging fans to vote:
“I just want to make a mention of the fact, and this award and every single award given out tonight was voted on by the people, and you know what else is voted on by the people? It’s the midterm on November 6. Get out and vote, and I love you guys.”
Is it cool that she said all that? Of course it is. @taylorswift13 accepts the award for #AMAs Artist of the Year! 🎉 #TaylorSwiftAMAs pic.twitter.com/EmTzjlB8uH
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) October 10, 2018
The ‘Reputation Tour’ is scheduled to continue until November 21 of this year.