Taylor Swift, The Weeknd win top honours at AMAs

The award ceremony was hosted by "Empire" star Taraji P Henson at Microsoft Theater

Singers Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and country duo Dan + Shay emerged the top winners at American Music Awards (AMAs) 2020, earning three trophies each at this year’s hybrid edition. The award ceremony was hosted by “Empire” star Taraji P Henson at Microsoft Theater here for a live broadcast on Sunday night, which was attended by a limited audience of invited guests in small groups from the same families, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

At the beginning of the show, Henson said the audience members were sitting in socially distanced manner and were tested for Covid-19. The small crowd, wearing masks in the balcony, was shown applauding and cheering throughout the show. “It has been a long year and now that 2020 is coming to end, it’s time to remember that it’s one country. We need to heal and love on each other a little more. We’re gonna have some fun, embracing our neighbours and coming together with music,” she said in a reference to the recent results of the tumultuous presidential elections.

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Swift, who didn’t attend the show in person, scooped up prize of the night — artist of the year — and another two AMAs for favourite music video for “Cardigan” and favourite female artist – pop/rock. In a video acceptance speech, she said she was busy rerecording her earlier albums in the studio where she originally recorded them. She holds the record for most AMA career wins by a single artist with 32.

The Weeknd earned three trophies in the soul/R&B category for favourite male artist, favourite album for ‘After Hours’, and favourite song for “Heartless”. He accepted the award for ‘After Hours’ ahead of his performance wearing bandages that covered his entire face apart from his mouth and nose, and dedicated it to Prince, noting he had last accepted the award from the late musician.