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Image: 2016 American Music Awards

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Highlights From the AMAs: Awards and Electric Performances

Highlights from the 2016 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

/ 15 PHOTOS
Image: 2016 American Music Awards

Co-hosts Gigi Hadid and Jay Pharoah speak onstage during the American Music Awards on Nov. 20, 2016.

Pharoah, known for this ability to deliver great impressions of Kanye West and Jay-Z, was impressed by Hadid's impersonation of Melania Trump.

 

Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Image: 2016 American Music Awards

Drake accepts the award for favorite artist - rap/hip-hop.

The Canadian born rapper was a big winner bagging four awards and debuting a new commercial for Apple Music. He also set a new record with his 13 nominations, two more than the previous record set by Michael Jackson in 1984. 

Matt Sayles / AP
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Musicians Billie Joe Armstrong, Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt of Green Day perform.

Band leader Armstrong got political during their performance of "Bang Bang" singing "No KKK, no fascist USA, no Trump."

Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Image: 2016 American Music Awards

John Legend performs.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Image: 2016 American Music Awards

Lauren Jauregui, Dinah Jane, Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello, and Normani Kordei of Fifth Harmony, perform "That's My Girl."

The group won Collaboration of the Year for "Work from Home" with Ty Dolla $ign.

Matt Sayles / AP
Image: 2016 American Music Awards

Zayn Malik accepts the award for new artist of the year. This is his first win as a solo artist, having won a handful of AMAs with his One Direction bandmates.

 

MARIO ANZUONI / Reuters
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Bruno Mars performs kicked off the ceremony with his groovy hit, "24K Magic," backed by his band who matched his slick, upbeat dance moves.

MARIO ANZUONI / Reuters
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Sting makes a speech after being presented with the Award of Merit by Actor Robert Downey Jr.

He impressed with his performances "Message In a Bottle," ''Every Breathe You Take" and his new single, "I Can't Stop Thinking About You." 

 

MARIO ANZUONI / Reuters
Image: 2016 American Music Awards

Ariana Grande (L) and Nicki Minaj perform. Grande received the final award of the evening, bagging the coveted Artist of the Year beating Rihanna, Carrie Underwood and Justin Bieber.

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Image: 2016 American Music Awards

Singer Selena Gomez accepts the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist. Gomez gave a heartfelt speech that earned a loud applause from the audience.

"I think it's safe to say that most of you know a lot of my life whether I liked it or not, and I had to stop, 'cause I had everything, and I was absolutely broken inside. And I kept it all together to where I never let you down. But I kept it too much together where I let myself down," said 24-year-old Gomez, who recently took time off to treat depression and anxiety.

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Kevin Winter / Getty Images
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Adam Levine of Maroon 5 (L) and rapper Kendrick Lamar perform.

 

Kevin Winter / Getty Images
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Tyka Nelson, sister of the late musician Prince, accepts the award for top soundtrack for "Purple Rain."

Prince's 1984 "Purple Rain" album, gained new attention after his death in April and won top soundtrack. 

MARIO ANZUONI / Reuters
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T.J. Miller and Olivia Munn present the award for Favorite Country Song.

MARIO ANZUONI / Reuters
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Musicians Josh Dun (L) and Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots perform. The duo won two awards.

 

Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Image: 2016 American Music Awards

Lady Gaga performs her latest single, "Million Reasons," earning a rousing applause from the audience.

 

 

Kevin Winter / Getty Images
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