2018 American Music Awards: Taylor Swift, Panic! At the Disco, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ stars added to lineup

October 2, 2018

AMAs logo

 

The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions and ABC:

Dick Clark Productions and ABC, in partnership with YouTube Music, announced that global superstar Taylor Swift is opening the “2018 American Music Awards” with a performance of “I Did Something Bad,” marking Swift’s first awards show performance in nearly three years. A 19-time American Music Award winner, Swift garnered four 2018 nominations and is the current record holder of most wins for Artist of the Year, a category for which she is nominated again this year.

Swift is set to take the stage on the heels of her record-breaking Taylor Swift Reputation Stadium Tour in support of the chart-topping and critically acclaimed album of the same name, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking her fifth leader on the chart. She is nominated for Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year, Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock and Favorite Album – Pop/Rock.

Also performing is multi-platinum selling band Panic! At the Disco will pay tribute to legendary British rock band, Queen, with a special performance of the award-winning hit, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” This performance will take place at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia as part of the “2018 American Music Awards.” The song, written by Freddie Mercury for the band’s 1975 album “A Night at the Opera,” remains one of Queen’s most popular and is often considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time. Rami Malek, Joe Mazzello and Gwilym Lee, cast of the upcoming 20th Century Fox Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” will introduce Panic! At the Disco’s performance live from the awards show in Los Angeles. Nominated this year for Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock, this will mark Panic! At the Disco’s first performance on the AMAs. Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the 2018 American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, on ABC.

“If there is one song that I wish I would’ve written myself, it’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” said Panic! At the Disco frontman, Brendon Urie. “Freddie Mercury’s genius is clear from the very first note to the last and I’m honored to be able to pay tribute to Queen with my performance.”

Panic! At the Disco joins previously announced performers Benny Blanco with Halsey and Khalid, Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin, Mariah Carey, Ciara featuring Missy Elliott, Dua Lipa, Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign, and Carrie Underwood, as well as a moving tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Taylor Swift 
Taylor Swift’s critically-adored new album, “Reputation,” was the biggest selling album of 2017 and #1 in over 111 countries on iTunes’ sales charts upon release. With almost 1.3 million albums sold in a seven-day period, Taylor is the only artist in history to have four consecutive albums sell over one million copies in their week of release (2010’s “Speak Now,” 2012’s “RED,” 2014’s “1989” and 2017’s “Reputation”).

Taylor’s chart-topping first single, “Look What You Made Me Do,” broke multiple records within hours of its release. With over 10 million streams, it was the most-streamed song in a one-day period, the lyric video for “Look What You Made Me Do” broke the standing record with over 19 million views, while the music video shattered the original most viewed video (28 million) record with 43.2 million views in only 24 hours.  Her current single, “Delicate” is already a multi-week #1 at both Pop and Hot AC radio.

Taylor is a 10-time GRAMMY winner, a singer, songwriter, musician and producer.  She is the youngest person in history to win the music industry’s highest honor, the Grammy Award for Album of the year and she is the first female solo artist to win this prestigious award twice. Rolling Stone listed Taylor as one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. Time magazine featured Taylor on their prestigious 2017 Person of the Year cover, named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in the world and identified her as one of only eight candidates for the 2014 Person of the Year. An Emmy and Brit Award winner, Taylor is Billboard’s youngest-ever Woman of the Year and the only artist to have been awarded this honor twice.

Panic! At the Disco released their #1 album “Pray for the Wicked” in June (via Fueled by Ramen/DCD2 Records) off the heels of their critically acclaimed fifth album, “Death of a Bachelor.” The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Chart and was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 2017 GRAMMY Awards. The RIAA platinum selling release was the highest selling rock album and fourth-highest selling album released in 2016, according to Nielsen Soundscan. “Death of a Bachelor” has also spawned RIAA-certified gold singles “Hallelujah,” “LA Devotee,” Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time,” and platinum singles “Death of a Bachelor,” “Emperor’s New Clothes,” and “Victorious.” Panic! At the Disco have been nominated for multiple awards, including the GRAMMYS, Teen Choice Awards, Alternative Press Music Awards, Kerrang! Awards and MTV VMAs. At the 2006 MTV VMAs they won Video of the Year for their smash “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.”

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans. Voting is now open in all categories.

For New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One® Savor® Card, Favorite Social Artist presented by Xfinity and Collaboration of the Year, fans can vote for each award 100 times per day, per voting platform in one or both of the ways below. Fans can vote for all other awards once per day, per voting platform.

  • Via web at VoteAMAs.com
  • Posting a tweet on Twitter that includes the nominee’s name or Twitter handle, the category name and #AMAs within the tweet
Voting for New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card and Collaboration of the Year will close on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 5:59:59 p.m. PDT, one hour into the live broadcast. Voting for all other categories will close on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 11:59:59 p.m. PDT.American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound, and reflect the time period of Sept. 15, 2017, through Aug. 9, 2018.

YouTube Music is the presenting sponsor of the “2018 American Music Awards.”

Capital One Savor Card and Subaru of America, Inc. are sponsors of the “2018 American Music Awards.” Media partner is Cumulus Media/Westwood One.

The “2018 American Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Barry Adelman, Mark Bracco and Tracee Ellis Ross are executive producers. Larry Klein is producer.

For the latest American Music Awards news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the AMAs on social and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #AMAs.

Facebook: Facebook.com/AMAs
Twitter: @AMAs
Instagram: @AMAs
Snapchat: TheAMAs
YouTube: YouTube.com/TheAMAs

Tickets are now on sale at www.axs.com.

About the American Music Awards
The American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted award show, features performances from today’s hottest artists and presents fan-voted awards in the music genres of Pop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Inspirational, Latin, EDM and Soundtrack, and the categories of Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Collaboration of the Year, Tour of The Year, Favorite Social Artist presented by Xfinity and Favorite Music Video. The American Music Awards pays tribute to today’s most influential and iconic artists.  The show is produced by dick clark productions and is seen in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. For more information, visit www.theamas.comwww.dickclark.com or abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards.

About dick clark productions
dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. dcp is a division of Valence Media, a diversified media company with divisions and strategic investments in premium television, wide release film, specialty film, live events and digital media. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

About YouTube Music 
YouTube Music is a completely reimagined streaming music service with music videos, official albums, singles, remixes, live performances, covers and hard-to-find music you can only get on YouTube. It’s ALL here! YouTube Music serves music based on your tastes and what’s moving the community around you. Discover something new or keep up with what’s trending. Basic functions such as playing music and watching videos are totally free, but you can upgrade to YouTube Music Premium to explore the world of music ad-free, offline, and with the screen locked. Available on mobile and desktop.  For additional information, visit  www.youtube.com/musicpremium.

2018 American Music Awards: Aretha Franklin tribute, Ciara, Dua Lipa, Missy Elliott added to show

September 28, 2018

AMAs logo

The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions and ABC:

Dick Clark Productions and ABC have announced an all-star lineup of soul and gospel legends who will come together to pay homage to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, at the “2018 American Music Awards.” Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans, friends of the late, luminary singer/songwriter, will take the AMAs stage for a moving tribute honoring Franklin’s gospel roots and iconic gospel album, Amazing Grace. Consulting producer for the tribute is the Emmy Award® winning music director, composer and producer Rickey Minor.
Also announced:  a red-hot collaboration from multi-platinum selling artist Ciara and two-time American Music Award winner Missy Elliott, as well as a performance from singer/songwriter and first-time AMA nominee Dua Lipa.
Set to perform on the American Music Awards stage for the first time since in 2005, award-winning artist Ciara will be joined by Hip-Hop and R&B legend Missy Elliott for two heavy-hitting performances, including Ciara’s “Level Up,” which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, ranked in the Top 10 on the Digital Song Sales chart, and became the No. 1-trending topic on YouTube after spawning the Level Up Challenge. Additionally, Ciara will perform “Dose,” the new single from her forthcoming studio album. American Music Awards newcomer and New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One® Savor® Card nominee, Dua Lipa, will take the AMAs performance stage for the first time with two of her hits from the complete edition of her self-titled, debut studio album, including “Electricity,” her latest Billboard Hot 100 collaboration.  Since its debut, the popular house track has landed spots amongst Billboard’s Dance Club Songs, Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and Pop Songs airplay charts.
They join previously announced performers Benny Blanco with Halsey and Khalid, Cardi B with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, Mariah Carey, Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Carrie Underwood, with additional performers to be announced.

Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the “2018 American Music Awards,” the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the American Music Awards, dick clark productions and American Music Awards’ producer, Larry Klein, for honoring Aretha Franklin with a musical tribute for this year’s broadcast,” said Sabrina Owens, Franklin’s niece and executor of the Aretha Franklin Estate. “Throughout its 46-year history, the American Music Awards has continued to stand by the music and honor the best in talent and the greatest in popular music culture. When I heard some of the initial ideas for the tribute, I knew without a doubt that this tribute will go down as one of the best in American music.”  Owens adds, “We still remember when Aretha won her first American Music Award in 1976 for Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B, and throughout the years, she went on to win five more awards and we will never forget when she hosted the show; as well as her memorable performances. Dick Clark helped to revolutionize American music, and along the way, Aretha Franklin was part of that revolution.”

“It’s a blessing to be a part of this moving musical tribute to honor our late queen and sister, Aretha,” said Gladys Knight. “She was an icon and visionary, radiated light and love through all of her life’s work, and touched all of us through her incredible gift of music.”

“Aretha was the voice of a generation,” said music director, composer and producer, Rickey Minor. “She transcended racial barriers by reaching into the depths of her soul and taking us on a journey with every note she sang. Her spirit will live forever in her music.”

One of the most iconic voices in music history, Franklin accumulated six American Music Awards in her lifetime, including Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B (1976, 1977, 1984 and 1986), Favorite Female Video Artist – Soul/R&B (1986) and Favorite Album – Soul/R&B (1983). She served as host of, and performed on, the AMAs in 1976 and 1983, and last performed on the AMAs stage in 1986. Franklin left a resounding mark on the music world and beyond, also garnering an induction into the Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues Halls of Fame, a Kennedy Center Honor, a Presidential Medal of Freedom and by utilizing her voice for social issues including civil and women’s rights.

The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Very few singers over the last fifty years have matched her unassailable artistry. This seven-time Grammy winner has enjoyed #1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television and live performance. Fall of 2015 marked the release of Knight’s first mainstream dance record, “Just A Little” in nearly twenty years. The song serves as lead single from her twelfth studio album that she is currently working on. Knight, who is a two-time Grammy winner in the gospel category, yet again embraced her gospel roots, releasing her inspirational album “Where My Heart Belongs,” in September 2014. The album was a major success and won an NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Gospel Album.” All told, Knight has recorded more than 38 albums over the years, including four solo albums during the past decade:  “Good Woman” (1991); “Just for You” (1994); the inspirational “Many Different Roads” (1999); and “At Last” (2001).  “At Last” showed the world that she still has what it takes to record a hit album, employing the talents of contemporary producers like Randy Jackson, Gary Brown and James D.C. Williams III, Jon John, Jamey Jaz, Keith Thomas, Tom Dowd and Tiger Roberts. Her involvement in other creative undertakings, business ventures and humanitarian activities has been extensive, and has brought her honors from industry and community alike.

Ledisi is a 12x Grammy-nominated vocal powerhouse who has wowed fans ever since she came onto the scene. She’s earned a place in the pantheon of the best soul singers of her generation. Ledisi is a favorite of The Obamas and has performed eight times at the White House. Her fans include icons, legends and current chart-toppers like the late- Prince, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and more. She has headlined two national sold-out tours, performed alongside Richie Sambora, Dave Matthews, Kelly Clarkson, Jill Scott, Maxwell and many more. She’s appeared on nationally recognized shows like Good Morning America, HARRY, The David Letterman Show, The Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and VH-1’s Diva’s Live to name a few. In 2015 she appeared in the Oscar-nominated movie Selma as Mahalia Jackson and is currently starring in Gabourey Sidibe’s Shatterbox Anthology film, The Tale Of Four. Ledisi released her ninth Grammy nominated studio album Let Love Rule, which features John Legend, Kirk Franklin, and B.J. The Chicago Kid among others. The album received three GRAMMY nominations in the “Best R&B Album,” “Best R&B Performance” (High), and “Best Traditional R&B Performance” (All The Way) categories.

Mary Mary is the multi-Grammy® and multi-award winning Gospel recording, sister duo of Erica and Tina Campbell. The sisters broke through in 2000 as Mary Mary with the pioneering hit “Shackles (Praise You).” Mary Mary has earned numerous Stellar & Dove Awards, four Grammy® Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, two American Music Awards, a Soul Train Award, a BET Award, the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Award, ASCAP Golden Note Award and more. After seven Mary Mary albums and a lifetime–18 plus years of professionally singing–the commercially successful and critically acclaimed Mary Mary has sold more than 5 million albums, toured internationally, graced the covers of multiple high-profile magazines and both have recently launched successful, award-winning solo careers. Erica Campbell’s solo debut album, Help, won a 2015 Grammy® Award for Best Gospel Album. Erica is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show, “Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell.” In 2015, Tina Campbell independently released her solo debut album, It’s Personal, winning the 2016 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Album. Her single, “Too Hard Not To,” from her follow-up album, It’s Still Personal, received a 2018 Grammy® nomination for “Best Gospel Performance/Song. Erica and Tina continue to perform as Mary Mary while embracing their solo careers. They are loving wives and mothers who are devoted to their faith and their families.

The three-time Grammy winner, Donnie McClurkin, debuted as a solo artist in 1996 with his self-titled album Donnie McClurkin, featuring mega-hits Stand and Speak To My Heart.Before launching his solo career, he started the New York Restoration Choir and recorded his first album, I See A World that contained the original version “Speak To My Heart.” The gospel anthems, We Fall Down and Great Is Your Mercy, both from the top-selling Live In London And More album was released in 2000.  The acclaimed gospel singer won his first Grammy in 2004 for Again for Best Soul Traditional Gospel Album. McClurkin’s double CD, Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs earned a Grammy in 2006 as Best Traditional Gospel Album.  In 2010, he accepted his third Grammy (Best Gospel Performance) for Wait on the Lord, featuring Karen Clark Sheard from his We Are One: Live in Detroit album.  His other top honors include over 12 Stellar Awards; two BET Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, two Soul Train Awards and three Dove Awards.   He appeared as a judge on BET’s Sunday Best for six seasons 2010-2015. McClurkin is currently in the recording studio, look for new music in 2019.

CeCeWinans has released a slew of duo and solo albums that crossed genres and boundaries and influenced a generation of gospel and secular vocalists. Her mantel today holds a staggering 12 GRAMMY Awards, 23 Dove Awards, and seven Stellar Awards. She’s been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame and Nashville Music City Walk of Fame, in addition to being named a Trailblazer of Soul by BMI and garnering multiple NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards, Essence Awards, and more. She’s sold in excess of five million albums in the U.S. alone, topping the Gospel charts repeatedly while managing to cross over with smashes like “Count On Me,” her stunning duet with Whitney Houston from the multi-platinum ‘Waiting To Exhale’ soundtrack, which sold two million copies and cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Adult Contemporary charts. She touched millions more with inspirational performances everywhere from Oprah to The White House, and even showed off her acting chops on television series like ‘7th Heaven’ and ‘Doc.’ In 2016, Winans became a member of the Artist Committee for the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.  Winans’ upcoming project, Something’s Happening!  A Christmas Album is scheduled for release on October 19th.

Rickey Minor is a composer and Emmy Award winning Music Director who’s worked with such renowned recording artists as: Whitney Houston, Adele, Rihanna, Demi Lovato, Keith Urban, Diana Ross, Katy Perry, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Lopez, Little Big Town, Stevie Wonder, Arianna Grande, Carrie Underwood, Sting, John Legend, Common, Elton John, Andra Day, Usher and Beyoncé. His numerous television credits include The Tonight Show starring Jay LenoThe Emmys, American IdolThe American Music Awards, and The Kennedy Center Honors. In addition, he has worked on several major live events and award shows, including some of the most memorable Super Bowl and Grammy Award performances. He has received seven Emmy Award nominations and one win for Outstanding Music Direction — Genius: A Night for Ray Charles, An Evening of Stars: A Tribute to Chaka Khan, The 50th Annual Grammy Awards, The 51st Annual Grammy Awards, The Smithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House, Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees, Taking The Stage: African American Music and Stories That Changed America.  

Ciara is an award-winning singer/songwriter, producer, model and actress. Over her 13-year career, she has sold over 23 million records and 16 million singles worldwide, including chart-topping hits “Goodies,” “Ride,” “Oh,” “1, 2 Step,” “Body Party” and “I Bet.” Most recently, Ciara has been scorching summer with her new song “Level Up,” which has transformed into a defining moment for the culture with the subsequent movement it has incited. Beyond clocking over 80 million views on YouTube, the song spent several weeks at No. 1 on the iTunes Top R&B/Soul Songs Chart and Top 10 on iTunes overall, and attracted Missy Elliott and Fatman Scoop for a high-profile remix which also shot up the iTunes charts. Its high-powered dance initially inspired fans to shoot their own videos with the hashtag #LevelUpChallenge—stirring up a viral buzz that has seen over 2 million posts across social media and launched the video to a No. 1-trending topic on YouTube. Ciara is a devoted wife and mother of two as well as a philanthropist who is dedicated to improving the lives of children and empowering women across the globe.

MissyElliott is a groundbreaking solo superstar, pioneering producer/songwriter/singer/rapper, and cultural icon. The five-time GRAMMY® Award winner – with nominations spanning three decades – has achieved unprecedented success, including U.S. sales in excess of 30 million. Missy’s six studio albums (including 2001’s landmark “MISS E… SO ADDICTIVE” and 2002’s blockbuster “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”) have each been RIAA platinum certified or better, marking her as the only female rapper to achieve that milestone accomplishment. Missy returned to the scene in November of 2015 with her explosive single, “WTF (Where They From)” Feat. Pharrell Williams. The track’s accompanying video has garnered over 40 million YouTube views and immediately became the #1 trending topic on both Twitter and Facebook upon its release. “WTF (Where They From) Feat Pharrell Williams was also featured as the official theme to ESPN’s kickoff coverage of the 2015/2016 NBA season. Shortly after, Elliott released fan-favorite single, “Pep Rally”, which was featured in Amazon’s Super Bowl commercial starring Alec Baldwin, Dan Marino, Jason Schwartzman, and Missy herself. In March, Missy teamed up with First Lady Michelle Obama to release the female empowerment anthem, “This is For My Girls,”. The track supports various ongoing campaigns that center around empowering young women, and also features the talents of Kelly Rowland, Janelle Monáe, Kelly Clarkson and Zendaya. Most recently, Missy unveiled her latest smash, “I’m Better (feat. Lamb)” which is accompanied by an incredible companion video that has garnered over 19 million views since its release. The following half decade plus has also seen Elliott featured on tracks from artists including Ginuwine, Ciara, K. Michelle, Demi Lovato, The Black Keys, J. Cole, G-Dragon, Fantasia, Monica, Busta Rhymes, Jazmine Sullivan, and of course, Katy Perry, with whom she famously teamed up for 2011’s “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) (Remix).” Additionally, Missy lit up 2014 with a series of surprise event appearances, joining Pharrell Williams to open the BET Awards with a “Come Get It Bae/Pass That Dutch” mash-up, reuniting with Da Brat and Lil Kim at the Soul Train Music Awards for their 1997 breakthrough, “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” – the trio’s first live performance together in more than 16 years – and of course her unforgettable performance at 2015’s Super Bowl XLIX. Missy joined Katy Perry for the historic happening, wowing 118.5 million viewers – the largest ever audience in Super Bowl history – with a medley of “Get Ur Freak On,” “Work It,” and “Lose Control.” Digital sales skyrocketed in the following days, with both “Get Ur Freak On” and “Work It” returning to the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart more than 10 years after their initial successes. In addition, Elliott has been heard on such recent tracks as Faith Evans’ 2014 single, “I Deserve It (Feat, Missy Elliott & Sharaya J),” Jack Ü’s 2015 “Take Ü There (Feat. Kiesza) (Missy Elliott Remix),” and most recently, Janet Jackson’s “BURNITUP! (Feat. Missy Elliott).”

With the release of her self-titled debut album, London born, Kosovo raised  DuaLipa  has won over the hearts of fans and press alike. The songs on  Dua Lipa  announce the arrival of a new force in pop—irresistible on the dance floor, thoughtful under closer inspection, constantly discovering creative possibilities. Her critically acclaimed debut has made everyone’s “best of” list, from The FADER  to  Rolling Stone  to  Time Magazine. With her powerful anthem and viral video for “New Rules” making her the youngest female solo artist to reach 1 billion views on YouTube, Dua continues to find herself on the top of the charts. The track reached #1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs airplay chart, and broke the longstanding record for  the most weeks ever on the list.  She was consistently the most streamed female artist on Spotify and in the top 5 globally this past year.  She has  sold 3 million copies, with singles reaching 32 million sold. Most recently, Dua made BRIT Award history becoming the first woman artist to pick up five nominations, taking home the awards for British Breakthrough Act and British Female Solo Artist.

The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans. Voting is now open in all categories. For New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One® Savor® Card, Favorite Social Artist presented by Xfinity and Collaboration of the Year, fans can vote for each award 100 times per day, per voting platform in one or both of the ways below. Fans can vote for all other awards once per day, per voting platform.

  • Via web at VoteAMAs.com
  • Posting a tweet on Twitter that includes the nominee’s name or Twitter handle, the category name and #AMAs within the tweet
Voting for New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card and Collaboration of the Year will close on Tuesday, October 9 at 5:59:59pm PT, one hour into the live broadcast. Voting for all other categories will close on Thursday, October 4 at 11:59:59pm PT.
American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound, and reflect the time period of September 15, 2017 through August 9, 2018.
YouTube Music is the presenting sponsor of the “2018 American Music Awards.”
Capital One Savor Card and Subaru of America, Inc. are sponsors of the “2018 American Music Awards.” Media partner is Cumulus Media/Westwood One.

The “2018 American Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Barry Adelman, Mark Bracco and Tracee Ellis Ross are Executive Producers. Larry Klein is Producer.

For the latest American Music Awards news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the AMAs on social and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #AMAs.

Facebook: Facebook.com/AMAs
Twitter: @AMAs
Instagram: @AMAs
Snapchat: TheAMAs
YouTube: YouTube.com/TheAMAs

Tickets are now on sale at www.axs.com.

About the American Music Awards
The American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted award show, features performances from today’s hottest artists and presents fan-voted awards in the music genres of Pop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Inspirational, Latin, EDM and Soundtrack, and the categories of Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Collaboration of the Year, Tour of The Year, Favorite Social Artist presented by Xfinity and Favorite Music Video. The American Music Awards pays tribute to today’s most influential and iconic artists.  The show is produced by dick clark productions and is seen in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. For more information, visit www.theamas.comwww.dickclark.com or abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards.

About dick clark productions
dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. dcp is a division of Valence Media, a diversified media company with divisions and strategic investments in premium television, wide release film, specialty film, live events and digital media. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

About YouTube Music 
YouTube Music is a completely reimagined streaming music service with music videos, official albums, singles, remixes, live performances, covers and hard-to-find music you can only get on YouTube. It’s ALL here! YouTube Music serves music based on your tastes and what’s moving the community around you. Discover something new or keep up with what’s trending. Basic functions such as playing music and watching videos are totally free, but you can upgrade to YouTube Music Premium to explore the world of music ad-free, offline, and with the screen locked. Available on mobile and desktop.  For additional information, visit  www.youtube.com/musicpremium.

2018 American Music Awards: Performers include Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Post Malone, Cardi B, Khalid, Halsey, Benny Blanco

September 26, 2018

The following are press release excerpts from Dick Clark Productions and ABC:

Dick Clark Productions and ABC have announced that multi-platinum rapper, singer and songwriter, Cardi B will perform at the “2018 American Music Awards,” marking her very first televised awards show performance since the birth of her child in July. Cardi B ties for top-nominated AMA artist this year with a total of eight nominations, including New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One® Savor® Card and Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop. Joining Cardi B on stage will be multi-platinum selling Latin singers Bad Bunny and J Balvin.

There will also be performances from 10-time American Music Award-winning icon Mariah Carey, as well as a collaboration from award-winning record producer and songwriter, benny blanco with multiplatinum artist Halsey and global superstar Khalid, who is up for four AMAs this year. These artists join previously announced performers Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Carrie Underwood. Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the “2018 American Music Awards,” the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, on ABC.

Multi-platinum songstress, Cardi B will take the stage to perform the genre-bending, Latin-trap hit “I Like It,” alongside Bad Bunny and 2018 AMA-nominated artist J Balvin (Favorite Artist – Latin).  The track earned Cardi B her second No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (now totaling three No. 1s) – the most for a female rapper in the chart’s history. “I Like It,” which also marks the first No. 1 for both Bad Bunny and J Balvin – landed the No. 3 spot on Billboard’s Pop Songs airplay chart, and went on to earn the No. 1 spots on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic Airplay charts. This will be Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin’s first performance on the American Music Awards stage.

Mariah Carey, who first performed at the AMAs in 1991 for a rendition of her dance-pop hit “Someday,” will make her world television debut of “With You,” the first single from her new album, returning to the AMA stage for the first time since 2008. benny blanco will take the American Music Awards stage for the very first time, joined by multiplatinum artists and AMAs performance veterans Halsey and Khalid, to perform their nostalgic love song, “Eastside,” which is already in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Pop Songs Airplay charts with more than 300 million streams to date.

Carrie Underwood and multi-platinum selling band Imagine Dragons as part of the first round of performers at the “2018 American Music Awards.” Additionally, multi-platinum selling artists Post Malone and Ty Dolla $ign will team up for their first-ever AMA performance. Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the “2018 American Music Awards,” the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

Twelve-time American Music Award winning artist and 2018 nominee in the Favorite Female Artist – Country category, Carrie Underwood returns to the AMAs stage for the first time since 2015 to perform a song hot off her recently released sixth studio album, Cry Pretty. The album follows Underwood’s six earlier No. 1s on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Three-time American Music Award winning band, and 2018 nominees, Imagine Dragons will take the stage to perform their standalone single and Billboard Hot 100 track, “Natural,” which has earned the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Rock Airplay and Alternative Songs charts since its debut. Chart-topping musician, and seven-time AMA nominee, Post Malone will make his American Music Awards stage debut, joined by acclaimed singer/songwriter/producer and previous AMA nominee Ty Dolla $ign, to perform the #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Psycho” from Post Malone’s second studio album, beerbongs & bentleys. Additionally, Post Malone will treat fans to a solo performance of a track off the same album.

Cardi B’s rambunctious spirit and brave tongue garnered instant online popularity, rapidly increasing her fan base. She has evolved into an entertainer and actress and a renowned rapper in just a short time. Cardi has also risen to rap success and fame, releasing her debut studio album “Invasion Of Privacy” in 2018. Cardi B is currently at the top of her game as the first woman with five simultaneous Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart as well as the first female rapper with two Billboard Hot 100 #1s (“I Like It” and “Bodak Yellow”). Now a GRAMMY-nominated rap superstar, Cardi B released her Platinum-certified debut album “Invasion Of Privacy,” which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. “Invasion Of Privacy” – includes the 6x RIAA platinum certified classic, “Bodak Yellow,” alongside the 2x platinum certified smash, “Bartier Cardi (feat. 21 Savage),” standout favorites like platinum certified “Be Careful” and 2x platinum certified “I Like It,” with Bad Bunny and J Balvin and a spectacular lineup of featured appearances from Chance The Rapper, SZA (Gold certified “I Do”), Kehlani (Gold certified “Ring”), Migos, and YG. Breakout single, “Bodak Yellow,” which is now certified 6x platinum, had an astronomical rise – earning the coveted #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for three consecutive weeks, making Cardi B the first female rapper to reach #1 without any accompanying acts since Lauryn Hill in 1998. Cardi B has been nominated for numerous prestigious awards including – 2 GRAMMY nominations, 8 AMAs, 9 BET Hip-Hop Awards (2018), 10 VMAs, 7 Teen Choice Awards, 7 BET Awards (2018), 1 Kid’s Choice Award, 2 BET Awards (2017), 9 BET Hip Hop Awards (2017). Cardi has graced the covers of Rolling Stone, Billboard, The New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine, Cosmopolitan, CR Fashion Book, i-D Magazine, and The Fader. Additionally, Cardi B was named on Forbes “30 Under 30” list. 2017 saw Cardi make a seemingly unstoppable series of appearances and live events including memorable performance of “Bodak Yellow” on Jimmy Kimmel Live in Brooklyn, during the MTV Video Music Awards pre-show ceremonies, the BET Awards post show. Cardi has since made appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she was the first ever co-host, The GRAMMY Awards, The Ellen DeGeneres show, Saturday Night Live, The VMAs, and more.

Bad Bunny, originally from Puerto Rico, is most recognized for his explosive and infectious trap songs. Rollingstone magazine has named him “The Four-Billion-Stream Man leading the Latin Trap Explosion.” This talented artist has demonstrated his already overwhelming power, influence and demand with completely sold-out concerts for his “La Nueva Religión Tour” (The New Religion Tour) all over Europe, Latin America and the U.S. His unmistakable voice and rhythm have led him to transitioned to the general market, where he is already creating waves of revolution with his participation in “I Like It” alongside Cardi B and J Balvin, which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has continued dominated the chart in the top 3 position. He has been nominated to the iHeart Radio Music Award, MTV VMA’s, Latin AMAs, Latin GRAMMYs, and E! People Choice Awards. Currently, Bad Bunny celebrates being the face of the cover of FADER magazine for the fall issue. The artist boasts a feature story that perfectly recaps his story and properly introduces him to the American market as the Latin trap superstar he has become. He also adds yet another major accomplishment to his book of accolades by appearing on the cover of COMPLEX magazine, along with J Balvin. This is a historic moment, as it is the first time in the magazine’s history that Latin Urban artists are featured in the cover, showing the extent of Bad Bunny’s reach across the globe, breaking cultural boundaries and language barriers and seamlessly transcending into the American market as a full-fledged urban artist of his own right.

Hailing from Medellín, Colombia, José Álvaro Osorio Balvin – better known to a legion of global fans as J BALVIN – has been praised by Billboard as “the biggest breakout act Latin music has seen in many years.” With a distinctive style all his own that pays reverence to the first-wave of Reggaeton stars from Puerto Rico, but fused with additional Colombian and mainstream hip-hop rhythms, more seductive than boastful lyrics, and a strong passion for fashion, J Balvin has become the undeniable leader of a second-generation Reggaeton revolution propelling Urban music back to the forefront of Latin music worldwide. Between his game-changing major-label debut album LA FAMILA, multiplatinum ENERGIA and recent landmark singles such as Mi Gente, and Machika, J Balvin  quickly notched ten #1 Latin singles, Over 50 million social media followers, and over TEN BILLION Total YouTube Views.  With his distinctive style and chart success, J Balvin has also become one of Latin music’s most in-demand collaborators, having now worked with artists, such as Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Cardi B, Liam Payne, Nicky Jam, Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande, Major LazerPoo Bear, Juanes, Daddy YankeeCamilla Cabelo, and more. Major award recognition has also followed, as J Balvin holds a Guinness World Record for the longest #1 run for a solo Latin single, has won back-to-back Latin Grammy Awards, multiple Billboard Latin Awards, and Premio Lo Nuestro ARTIST OF THE YEAR recognition two years in a row. J Balvin’s recently released new album VIBRAS has been hailed by TIME. Rolling Stone, Billboard and more as: “One of the Best Albums of 2018” ­while also propelling the Colombian star to #1 rankings on both YouTube & Spotify’s global charts as this summer’s #1 streaming artist in the world. As a result, J Balvin is now the leading nominee for this year’s Latin Grammy and Latin AMA Awards.

Mariah Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold to date and 18 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (17 self-penned), more than any solo artist in history. Mariah is a singer/song­writer/producer recognized with multiple Grammy Awards, numerous American Music Awards, Billboard’s “Artist of the Decade” Award, the World Music Award for “World’s Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium,” and BMI’s “Icon Award” for her outstanding achievements in songwriting, to name a few – with her distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting, and producing talent, Mariah is truly the template of the modern pop performance. Mariah’s ongoing impact has transcended the music industry to leave an indelible imprint upon the world at large.  She made her entry into the world of independent film with her landmark performance in “WiseGirls” starring alongside Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino and Melora Walters. In 2009, Mariah was recognized with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Palm Spring International Film Festival for her critically acclaimed role in Lee Daniels’ “Precious.” Mariah went on to appear in Daniels’ stellar ensemble piece “The Butler” (2013). A Congressional Award recipient, Mariah has generously donated her time and energy to a range of philanthropic causes near to her heart including Save the Music, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, World Hunger Relief, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, among many others. A tremendous supporter of children’s charities, both domestic and international, Mariah founded Camp Mariah in partnership with the Fresh Air Fund, a retreat for inner city children to explore career development.

Benjamin Levin, known professionally as Benny Blanco, is a Grammy-winning American record producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and recipient of the 2013 Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is also a five-time BMI Songwriter of the Year award winner and 2017 iHeartRadio Producer of the Year award winner. As a producer and songwriter, blanco is responsible for more than 100 million album sales worldwide due to his work with artists including Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Kesha, Sia, The Weeknd, Selena Gomez, Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West among others. He is also the founder of two labels in collaboration with Interscope Records, Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets. In 2016, his work was nominated for a Golden Globe® Award in the category Best Original Song for “Faith” (Stevie Wonder featuring Ariana Grande). In July 2018, blanco released the song “Eastside” under his own name, a collaboration with Halsey and Khalid, which is climbing Top 40 radio charts in the U.S. and is #1 in the U.K.

GRAMMY® Award-nominated multiplatinum alternative pop maverick Halsey claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 with her second release, “hopeless fountain kingdom,” an album Rolling Stone called “bold” in a four-star review, claiming that “Halsey could go anywhere from here.” Indeed, since storming on the music scene in 2015, she has garnered over 7 billion stream globally and nearly 6 million global sales, graced the covers of magazines from Nylon to Billboard to Forbes, among others – a far cry from the New Jersey teen who’d escaped her suburban existence for New York, writing poetry, and scrounging money for concerts and her next slice of pizza. Halsey shows no signs of slowing down. This summer she joined benny blanco and Khalid for the song “Eastside,” which has garnered 300 million streams worldwide in just 2 monthsThe track was the follow-up to the platinum-certified smash with G-Eazy “Him & I,” which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs airplay chart and No. 1 at Top 40 radio – marking her second No. 1 since accompanying The Chainsmokers on “Closer,” which dominated for 11 weeks and has been certified diamond by the RIAA. “Him & I” has accrued over 750 million streams worldwide and been certified platinum in several countries. In addition, her own two double-platinum-certified singles, “Bad At Love” and “Now Or Never,” also peaked in the Top 3 on the Pop Songs chart. In addition, Halsey pushes creative boundaries expanding her influence and impact beyond music. Earlier this year, Halsey spoke at the 2018 women’s march advocating for equality. Her speech has been viewed millions of times and has moved people from around the world. As her star continues to rise, Halsey uses her voice to speak up for causes she passionately believes in, including disenfranchised youth, women’s rights, mental health and the LGBTQ community, proving that both she and her music can affect meaningful change, and that, yes, the 23-year-old can go anywhere from here.

Five-time Grammy® nominated artist Khalid has seen great success since he released his first single “Location” right before his high school graduation. The song’s domination led to Khalid’s major label deal with Right Hand Music Group/RCA Records followed by the release of his debut album American Teen. The album received mass critical acclaim with Rolling Stone calling Khalid a “pop prodigy” and TIME Magazine stating, “His thoughtful, relatable reflections on modern youth culture and the limitations of love are just as pitch-perfect as his soulful, measured delivery.” American Teen shattered expectations, spending more than 80 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at #4, and has stayed in the top 20 for more than 50 weeks. The singer-songwriter has over one billion streams worldwide across all partners, his first single “Location” is certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA, his previous single “Young Dumb & Broke” is certified 3X Platinum, and his album is now certified 2x Platinum. Since the American Teen’s debut, Khalid has garnered five 2018 Grammy® nominations including Best New Artist and landed on the cover of Billboard’s 2018 Grammy® Preview issue. He won two 2018 Teen Choice Awards for Choice Breakout Artist and Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song for “Love Lies.” He was also nominated for 2017 BET Award for Best New Artist, a 2017 Teen Choice Award for Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song for “Location”, and a 2017 American Music Award for Favorite Song-Soul/R&B for “Location.” Khalid also won Top New Artist at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, Best New Artist at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards and an MTV’s Woodie To Watch Award. He has recently been nominated for four 2018 American Music Awards including New Artist of the Year, Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B, Favorite Album – Soul R&B, and Favorite Song – Soul/R&B for “Young Dumb & Broke.” In addition to American Teen, Khalid has collaborated with some of music’s biggest stars. He has been featured on a number of songs including mega hits like Calvin Harris’s “Rollin” with Future, “1-800-273-8255” with Logic and Alessia Cara, “Silence” with Marshmello, “Lovely” with Billie Eilish, “Youth” with Shawn Mendes, and many more. Khalid’s current singles “Love Lies”, duet with Normani, and “OTW” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and 6lack are burning up the airwaves. “Love Lies” hit #1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs airplay chart and “OTW” is #14 and climbing on the Rhythmic Airplay chart. Khalid just wrapped up his third sold-out North American headlining tour and recently, the Mayor and Council of the city of El Paso honored him with a “Key To The City” marking September 13th, 2018 “Khalid Day.” While in his hometown, Khalid performed two sold-out arena shows and dropped a new track entitled “Better” dedicated to his fans and the city of El Paso.

Carrie Underwood emerged from the promise of her 2005 American Idol win to become a true multi-format, multi-media superstar, spanning achievements in music, television, and film. A seven-time GRAMMY® Award winner, she has sold 64 million records worldwide and recorded 26 #1 singles, 13 of which she co-wrote. She released Cry Pretty, her first studio album on Capitol Records Nashville on September 14, marking the first time she has co-produced her own album.  The title track and lead single – co-written by Carrie – was released worldwide in April and topped the iTunes Top Songs charts in 12 countries. Cry Pretty’s second single, “Love Wins,” and its accompanying vibrant and hopeful music video directed by Shane Drake, were released in August to rave reviews.  In spring 2019, Carrie will launch The Cry Pretty Tour 360, which will kick off in May and will play 55 arenas across the U.S. and Canada. Earlier this year, she released the hit event anthem she co-wrote, “The Champion” featuring Ludacris, which opened NBC’s Super Bowl LII and was incorporated into the network’s coverage of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.  “The Champion” has been certified Gold by the R.I.A.A. In 2013, Carrie starred as Maria von Trapp in NBC’s three-hour holiday blockbuster, the Emmy®-winning The Sound of Music Live!, whose airings attracted 44 million viewers.  She is lead designer for her fitness and lifestyle brand, CALIA by Carrie Underwood, which launched in 2015 and is exclusively available at DICK’S Sporting Goods nationwide and online. This spring, Carrie celebrated her 10th anniversary as a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry and returns this fall for her sixth season as the voice of primetime television’s #1 program, Sunday Night Football.

Formed in 2009 and featuring lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman, Imagine Dragons earned a grassroots following by independently releasing a series of EPs. After Alex Da Kid signed them to his KIDinaKORNER/Interscope label, the band made its major-label debut with the release of Continued Silence, a 2012 EP featuring the 2x platinum breakthrough single “It’s Time.” Night Visions arrived later that year and Imagine Dragons found themselves on a skyward trajectory that saw the album debut at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and became the No. 1 album on Spotify Worldwide for 2013. Night Visions has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. The album’s second single, the 9x-platinum “Radioactive,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart and earned the band a 2014 Grammy for “Best Rock Performance.” The third single, “Demons,” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs airplay chart and has sold 3.9 million copies in the U.S. Imagine Dragons’ platinum-selling second album, Smoke + Mirrors, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and has sold 1.1 million copies worldwide. Imagine Dragons’ third studio album, Evolve, has been certified double-platinum within a year of its June 2017 release. Evolve has spent 63 weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album is 10th in the world on Spotify with over 38 million monthly listeners.

Post Malone stirs a mix of genres into his own sonic sound that’s both intoxicating and invigorating. His RIAA Platinum certified debut album, Stoney, led the genre-bending Dallas, TX artist to his first Top 10 on the Billboard 200 and first #1 R&B/Hip-Hop Album. In 2018, his sophomore album, beerbongs & bentleys, debuted on the Billboard 200 at #1 with the then-largest streaming week ever for an album in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music. Additionally, Post charted nine songs in the Top 20 of the Hot 100, notching a then-record for the most concurrent songs in the Top 20 of the Hot 100. Moreover, he set a then-record for most simultaneous Top 40 Hot 100 hits with 14. As beerbongs & bentleysreturned to #1 for the second consecutive week on the Top 200, his domination shows no sign of slowing down.

Los Angeles-bred singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, TY DOLLA $IGN has been one of the most acclaimed singers and in-demand writers, producers, and featured artists since helming YG’s 2010 smash, “Toot It and Boot It.” Ty Dolla $ign made a major splash with 2014’s critically-acclaimed BEACH HOUSE EP, highlighted by the RIAA platinum certified “Paranoid (Feat. B.o.B)” and 3x platinum smash, “Or Nah (Feat. Wiz Khalifa & The Weeknd).” He released his debut album FREE TC in November 2015, which has since gone on to become RIAA-certified Gold & features the multi-platinum hits “Blasé (feat. Future & Rae Sremmurd) and “Saved (feat. E-40).” Ty’s second studio album, BEACH HOUSE 3, was released in October 2017 followed by the deluxe release in May of this year. Ty undoubtedly took over Summer 2018 as both a writer and featured artist. In addition to receiving his first Billboard Hot 100 #1 with Post Malone’s “Psycho,” the Grammy-nominated phenom’s talents were featured on Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s EVERYTHING IS LOVE (“Boss”,) Drake’s SCORPION (“Jaded” and “After Dark”), Kanye West and Kid Cudi’s KIDS SEE GHOSTS (“Freee Ghost Town Pt. 2”,) Christina Aguilera (“Accelerate”,) Khalid (“OTW”,) 6lack (“Switch”,) Teyana Taylor (“3way”) and Kanye West’s ye, where Ty is featured on 3 out of 7 songs (“All Mine,” “Wouldn’t Leave,” Violent Crimes”.) He’s also been credited with writing several hits such including Rihanna’s 3X platinum hit “FourFiveSeconds” with Kanye West and Paul McCartney and Chris Brown’s “Loyal,” to name a few. Ty also just finished a blockbuster summer on G Eazy’s The Endless Summer Tour.

Nominations for the “2018 American Music Awards” were announced live by Kane Brown, Ella Mai, Normani and Bebe Rexha on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from YouTube Space LA. Cardi B and Drake lead this year’s nominees, with eight possible wins for each. Ed Sheeran and Post Malone each earned six nominations. Camila Cabello, nominated five times this year, could win her first AMA as a solo artist.

The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans. Voting is now open in all categories.

For New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One® Savor® Card, Favorite Social Artist presented by Xfinity and Collaboration of the Year, fans can vote for each award 100 times per day, per voting platform in one or both of the ways below. Fans can vote for all other awards once per day, per voting platform.

  • Via web at VoteAMAs.com
  • Posting a tweet on Twitter that includes the nominee’s name or Twitter handle, the category name and #AMAs within the tweet

Voting for New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card and Collaboration of the Year will close on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 5:59:59 p.m. PDT, one hour into the live broadcast. Voting for all other categories will close on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 11:59:59 p.m. PDT. American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound, and reflect the time period of Sept. 15, 2017, through Aug. 9, 2018.

YouTube Music is the presenting sponsor of the “2018 American Music Awards.”

Capital One Savor Card and Subaru of America, Inc. are sponsors of the “2018 American Music Awards.” Media partner is Cumulus Media/Westwood One.

The “2018 American Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Barry Adelman, Mark Bracco and Tracee Ellis Ross are executive producers. Larry Klein is producer.

For the latest American Music Awards news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the AMAs on social and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #AMAs.

Facebook: Facebook.com/AMAs
Twitter: @AMAs
Instagram: @AMAs
Snapchat: TheAMAs
YouTube: YouTube.com/TheAMAs

Tickets are now on sale at www.axs.com.

About the American Music Awards
The American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted award show, features performances from today’s hottest artists and presents fan-voted awards in the music genres of Pop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Inspirational, Latin, EDM and Soundtrack, and the categories of Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Collaboration of the Year, Tour of The Year, Favorite Social Artist presented by Xfinity and Favorite Music Video. The American Music Awards pays tribute to today’s most influential and iconic artists.  The show is produced by dick clark productions and is seen in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. For more information, visit www.theamas.comwww.dickclark.com or abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards.

About dick clark productions
dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. dcp is a division of Valence Media, a diversified media company with divisions and strategic investments in premium television, wide release film, specialty film, live events and digital media. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

About YouTube Music 
YouTube Music is a completely reimagined streaming music service with music videos, official albums, singles, remixes, live performances, covers and hard-to-find music you can only get on YouTube. It’s ALL here! YouTube Music serves music based on your tastes and what’s moving the community around you. Discover something new or keep up with what’s trending. Basic functions such as playing music and watching videos are totally free, but you can upgrade to YouTube Music Premium to explore the world of music ad-free, offline, and with the screen locked. Available on mobile and desktop.  For additional information, visit  www.youtube.com/musicpremium.

2018 American Music Awards: Drake and Cardi B are the top nominees

September 12, 2018

AMAs logo

 

The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions and ABC:

As the kick-off to this year’s highly anticipated “2018 American Music Awards,” chart-topping artists Kane Brown and Ella Mai, singer and American Music Award winner Normani and award winning singer/songwriter Bebe Rexha today announced the nominations LIVE from YouTube Space LA.  The event was livestreamed on the official American Music Awards YouTube channel (YouTube.com/TheAMAs) and included a panel discussion about the nominations with the presenting talent and Billboard correspondent Chelsea Briggs. Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the “2018 American Music Awards” will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 9 at 8:00pm ET on ABC.

Cardi B and Drake lead this year’s nominees, with eight possible wins for each. Ed Sheeran and Post Malone each earned six nominations. Camila Cabello, nominated five times this year, could win her first AMA as a solo artist.

The Artist of the Year nominees are Drake, Imagine Dragons, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift.

The American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, is where music enthusiasts watch their favorite artists and pop culture icons come together to honor idols, newcomers and record-breakers in the contemporary music scene.  From Pop and Rock, to Country, Hip Hop and beyond, this year’s show will celebrate some of the best moments in music with appearances by today’s brightest stars and live performances from the biggest names in the industry.

American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on Billboard.com, including streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound, and reflect the time period of September 15, 2017 through August 9, 2018. The American Music Awards winners are voted entirely by fans.

Voting opened today in all categories except New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Favorite Social Artist and Collaboration of the Year, which will all open on Monday, September 24.
For New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Favorite Social Artist and Collaboration of the Year, fans can vote for each award 100 times per day, per voting platform in one or both of the ways below. Fans can vote for all other awards once per day, per voting platform.

  • Via web at VoteAMAs.com
  • Posting a tweet on Twitter that includes the nominee’s name or Twitter handle, the category name and #AMAs within the tweet
2018 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS TOP NOMINATED ARTISTS CHART FACTS:
  • Camila Cabello
    • Five-time American Music Award nominee Camila Cabello had quite the amazing year. Not only did her debut solo album Camila bow at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, but it entered atop the chart the very same week that its massive lead single, “Havana,” featuring Young Thug, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Amazingly, it marked the first time a soloist topped both lists at the same with their first No. 1s on both charts since 2003. Cabello followed up “Havana” with a second hit from the album, “Never Be the Same,” which hit the top 10 in May. Both tracks also reached No. 1 on the Pop Songs airplay chart.
  • Cardi B
    • First-time American Music Award nominee Cardi B made quite the impression in the past year. In October of 2017, her smash solo single “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making Cardi the first female rapper to top the list without the assistance of any other credited acts since 1998. Further, when Cardi hit No. 1 for a second time, in 2018, with “I Like It,” alongside Bad Bunny and J Balvin, she made history as the first female rapper with two Hot 100 No. 1s. Cardi’s debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, also set records when it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart earlier in 2018. It earned the biggest on-demand audio streaming week ever for a debut studio album in the U.S., and the largest ever for an album by a woman, according to Nielsen Music.
  • Drake
    • Five-time American Music Award winner Drake comes into the 2018 AMAs with eight nominations, including Artist of the Year. And, what a year Drake has had. He notched his eighth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 albums chart with Scorpion, and set the all-time record for the largest on-demand audio streaming week ever for an album in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music. The same week Scorpion stung at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Drake set a new record for the most concurrently charting songs in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, with seven. He beat the record previously held by The Beatles, set in 1964, when the Fab Four had five songs in the top 10 at the same time.
  • Khalid
    • Breakout R&B star Khalid comes into the 2018 American Music Awards with four nominations. He first started to make waves in mid-2016 courtesy of his single “Location,” which turned into a viral smash, ultimately reaching No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart. His debut album, American Teen, has spent 16 weeks at No. 1 on the R&B Albums chart, and has yet to leave the top five of the list after more than 75 weeks on the tally. The set launched another hit in “Young Dumb & Broke,” which racked up a whopping 11 weeks atop the Hot R&B Songs chart. Khalid continued to keep busy in 2018, debuting eight songs on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart, including the top 10 hit “Love Lies” with Khalid.
  • Post Malone
    • A six-time nominee at the 2018 AMAs, Post Malone has been untouchable in the last year, charting more than a dozen top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including his first two No. 1s: “Rockstar,” featuring 21 Savage, and “Psycho,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign. His second album, beerbongs & bentleys, gave the artist his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, where it ruled for three weeks. Post Malone also made news in 2018 on the charts with his debut album, Stoney, broke a longevity record set by Michael Jackson. In August, Stoney spent its 77th week in the top 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, beating the record for the most weeks in the top 10 for an album that was previously held by Jackson’s Thriller, with 76 weeks in 1983 and 1984.
  • Bruno Mars
    • Eight-time American Music Award winner Bruno Mars has been a hits-making machine since his debut full-length album Doo-Wops & Hooligans in 2010. The current four-time nominee’s latest release, 24K Magic, continued his magic touch, as the album spent 40 weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart and launched a quartet of hit singles. Among them were the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 smash “That’s What I Like,” the album’s title track, and his breakout collaboration with Cardi B, “Finesse.” The latter spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot R&B Songs chart and has earned more than a half-billion on-demand streams in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music.
  • Ed Sheeran
    • American Music Award winner, and current six-time nominee Ed Sheeran had a rather “Perfect” year. He kicked off 2018 with a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Perfect,” thanks to a little help from a remix of the track guest-starring Beyoncé. “Perfect” proved to be so popular, it remained on the chart for over a full year. It was the second No. 1 on the Hot 100 for Sheeran, and both tunes came from his blockbuster album ÷ (Divide). After 79 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, the former No. 1 album has yet to depart the weekly top 40 of the list. Sheeran has also been tireless on the road, with his ongoing ÷ World Tour. The trek is scheduled to end in March 2019 after playing more than 200 shows and visiting six continents.
  • Taylor Swift
    • Taylor Swift — a 19-time American Music Award winner and current four-time nominee — closed out 2017 in grand fashion with the arrival of her record-breaking album reputation. The set sold 1.22 million copies in its first week in the U.S., making Swift the only artist to achieve four million-selling weeks in Nielsen Music history. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking her fifth leader on the tally, and launched the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Look What You Made Me Do,” as well as the No. 1 Pop Songs single “Delicate.” Swift’s massive reputation Stadium Tour, in support of the album, broke Swift’s own record as the highest-grossing U.S. tour ever by a woman, according to Billboard Boxscore.

YouTube Music is the presenting sponsor of the “2018 American Music Awards.”

The “2018 American Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Barry Adelman, Mark Bracco and Tracee Ellis Ross are Executive Producers. Larry Klein is Producer.

Below, please find the full list of nominations for the 2018 American Music Awards:

“2018 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS” NOMINEES 

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Drake
Imagine Dragons
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE SAVOR CARD
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Khalid
Dua Lipa
XXXTentacion

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug, “Havana”
Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, “Finesse”
Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, “The Middle”

TOUR OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé & JAY-Z
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
U2

FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug, “Havana”
Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Drake, “God’s Plan”

FAVORITE SOCIAL ARTIST 
BTS
Cardi B
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Shawn Mendes

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Drake
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
Imagine Dragons
Maroon 5
Migos

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
Drake, “Scorpion”
Ed Sheeran, “÷ (Divide)”
Taylor Swift, “Reputation”

FAVORITE SONG- POP/ROCK
Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug, “Havana”
Drake, “God’s Plan”
Ed Sheeran, “Perfect”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Kane Brown
Luke Bryan
Thomas Rhett

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Kelsea Ballerini
Maren Morris
Carrie Underwood

FAVORITE DUO or GROUP – COUNTRY
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
LANCO

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY
Kane Brown, “Kane Brown”
Luke Combs, “This One’s For You”
Thomas Rhett, “Life Changes”

FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY
Kane Brown, “Heaven”
Dan + Shay, “Tequila”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, “Meant To Be”

FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
Cardi B
Drake
Post Malone

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
Drake, “Scorpion”
Lil Uzi Vert, “Luv Is Rage 2”
Post Malone, “Beerbongs & Bentleys”

FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP
Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Drake, “God’s Plan”
Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, “Rockstar”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Khalid
Bruno Mars
The Weeknd

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Ella Mai
Rihanna
SZA

FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
Khalid, “American Teen”
SZA, “CTRL”
XXXTentacion “17”

FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B
Khalid, “Young Dumb & Broke”
Ella Mai, “Boo’d Up”
Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B, “Finesse”

FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Imagine Dragons
Panic! At The Disco
Portugal. The Man

FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Shawn Mendes
P!NK
Ed Sheeran

FAVORITE ARTIST – LATIN
J Balvin
Daddy Yankee
Ozuna

FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Lauren Daigle
MercyMe
Zach Williams

FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
The Chainsmokers
Marshmello
Zedd

FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK
“Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By”
“The Greatest Showman”
“The Fate of the Furious: The Album”

For the latest American Music Awards news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the AMAs on social and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #AMAs.

Facebook: Facebook.com/AMAs
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YouTube: YouTube.com/TheAMAs

Cheat tweet: @iamcardib and @Drake take the lead for the 2018 @AMAs with 8 nominations each! Check out the full list of nominees here: amas.news/Noms2018 #AMAs

Tickets are now on sale at www.axs.com.

About the American Music Awards
The American Music Awards, the world’s largest fan-voted award show, features performances from today’s hottest artists and presents fan-voted awards in the music genres of Pop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Inspirational, Latin, EDM and Soundtrack, and the categories of Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Collaboration of the Year, Tour of The Year and Favorite Music Video. The American Music Awards pays tribute to today’s most influential and iconic artists.  The show is produced by dick clark productions and is seen in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. For more information, visit www.theamas.comwww.dickclark.com or abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards.

About dick clark productions
dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. dcp is a division of Valence Media, a diversified media company with divisions and strategic investments in premium television, wide release film, specialty film, live events and digital media. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

About YouTube Music 
YouTube Music is a completely reimagined streaming music service with music videos, official albums, singles, remixes, live performances, covers and hard-to-find music you can only get on YouTube. It’s ALL here! YouTube Music serves music based on your tastes and what’s moving the community around you. Discover something new or keep up with what’s trending. Basic functions such as playing music and watching videos are totally free, but you can upgrade to YouTube Music Premium to explore the world of music ad-free, offline, and with the screen locked. Available on mobile and desktop.  For additional information, visit  www.youtube.com/musicpremium.

SHOW MEDIA CREDENTIALS
To apply for media credentials to cover the “2018 American Music Awards” please go to here. Submissions for credentials will stay open until 6pm PT on Friday, September 21, 2018.

 

NOMINATIONS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (BY FIRST NAME):

21 Savage (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop

Ariana Grande (1): Favorite Social Artist

Bebe Rexha (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Song – Country

Beyoncé (1): Tour of the Year

“Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By” (1): Favorite Soundtrack

Bruno Mars (4): Collaboration of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B

BTS (1): Favorite Social Artist

Camila Cabello (5): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock

Cardi B (8): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B; Favorite Social Artist

Carrie Underwood (1): Favorite Female Artist – Country

Daddy Yankee (1): Favorite Artist – Latin

Dan + Shay (2): Favorite Duo or Group – Country; Favorite Song – Country

Demi Lovato (1): Favorite Social Artist

Drake (8): Artist of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop

Dua Lipa (1): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card

Ed Sheeran (6): Artist of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary

Ella Mai (2): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B

Florida Georgia Line (3): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Duo or Group – Country; Favorite Song – Country

Grey (1): Collaboration of the Year

Imagine Dragons (3): Artist of the Year; Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock

JAY-Z (1): Tour of the Year

J Balvin (1): Favorite Artist – Latin

Kane Brown (3): Favorite Male Artist – Country; Favorite Album – Country; Favorite Song – Country

Kelsea Ballerini (1): Favorite Female Artist – Country

Khalid (4): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B

LANCO (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Country

Lauren Daigle (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational

Lil Uzi Vert (1): Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop

Luke Bryan (1): Favorite Male Artist – Country

Luke Combs (1): Favorite Album – Country

Maren Morris (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Female Artist – Country

Maroon 5 (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock

Marshmello (1): Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

MercyMe (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational

Migos (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock

Ozuna (1): Favorite Artist – Latin

Panic! At The Disco (1): Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock

P!NK (1): Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary

Portugal. The Man (1): Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock

Post Malone (6): Artist of the Year; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop

Rihanna (1): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B

Shawn Mendes (2): Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary; Favorite Social Artist

SZA (2): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B

Taylor Swift (4): Artist of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock

The Chainsmokers (1): Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

“The Fate of the Furious: The Album” (1): Favorite Soundtrack

“The Greatest Showman” (1): Favorite Soundtrack

The Weeknd (1): Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B

Thomas Rhett (2): Favorite Male Artist – Country; Favorite Album – Country

U2 (1): Tour of the Year

XXXTENTACION (2): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B

Young Thug (3): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock

Zach Williams (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational

Zedd (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

NOMINATIONS BY NUMERICAL ORDER:

Cardi B (8): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B; Favorite Social Artist

Drake (8): Artist of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop

Ed Sheeran (6): Artist of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary

Post Malone (6): Artist of the Year; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop

Camila Cabello (5): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock

Bruno Mars (4): Collaboration of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B

Khalid (4): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B

Taylor Swift (4): Artist of the Year; Tour of the Year; Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock; Favorite Album – Pop/Rock

Florida Georgia Line (3): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Duo or Group – Country; Favorite Song – Country

Imagine Dragons (3): Artist of the Year; Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock; Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock

Kane Brown (3): Favorite Male Artist – Country; Favorite Album – Country; Favorite Song – Country

Young Thug (3): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Music Video; Favorite Song – Pop/Rock

21 Savage (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop

Bebe Rexha (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Song – Country

Dan + Shay (2): Favorite Duo or Group – Country; Favorite Song – Country

Ella Mai (2): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Song – Soul/R&B

Maren Morris (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Female Artist – Country

Shawn Mendes (2): Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary; Favorite Social Artist

SZA (2): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B

Thomas Rhett (2): Favorite Male Artist – Country; Favorite Album – Country

XXXTENTACION (2): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card; Favorite Album – Soul/R&B

Zedd (2): Collaboration of the Year; Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

Ariana Grande (1): Favorite Social Artist

Beyoncé (1): Tour of the Year

“Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By” (1): Favorite Soundtrack

BTS (1): Favorite Social Artist

Carrie Underwood (1): Favorite Female Artist – Country

Daddy Yankee (1): Favorite Artist – Latin

Demi Lovato (1): Favorite Social Artist

Dua Lipa (1): New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card

Grey (1): Collaboration of the Year

JAY-Z (1): Tour of the Year

J Balvin (1): Favorite Artist – Latin

Kelsea Ballerini (1): Favorite Female Artist – Country

LANCO (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Country

Lauren Daigle (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational

Lil Uzi Vert (1): Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop

Luke Bryan (1): Favorite Male Artist – Country

Luke Combs (1): Favorite Album – Country

Maroon 5 (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock

Marshmello (1): Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

MercyMe (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational

Migos (1): Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock

Ozuna (1): Favorite Artist – Latin

Panic! At The Disco (1): Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock

P!NK (1): Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary

Portugal. The Man (1): Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock

Rihanna (1): Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B

The Chainsmokers (1): Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

“The Fate of the Furious: The Album” (1): Favorite Soundtrack

“The Greatest Showman” (1): Favorite Soundtrack

The Weeknd (1): Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B

U2 (1): Tour of the Year

Zach Williams (1): Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational

2018 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEE STATISTICS

  • 2018 NOMINATIONS FAST FACTS
  • ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS BY CATEGORY
  • TOP 10 AMA WINNERS OF ALL TIME (1974–2017)
  • NOMINATIONS IN NUMERICAL ORDER
  • NOMINATIONS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

2018 NOMINATIONS FAST FACTS: “TAYLOR SWIFT COULD SURPASS WHITNEY HOUSTON’S RECORD FOR MOST AMA WINS BY A FEMALE ARTIST IF SHE TAKES HOME THE AWARD FOR 3 OUT OF THE 4 CATEGORIES SHE IS NOMINATED IN THIS YEAR”

  • Whitney Houston currently holds the record for most AMA wins by a female artist with 21 total wins, while Taylor Swift is right behind her with 19 wins. Should Taylor Swift take home just 3 of the 4 awards she is nominated for, she will surpass Whitney Houston as the record holder for most AMA wins by a female artist with 22 AMA wins.
“TAYLOR SWIFT COULD BREAK HER OWN RECORD FOR THE MOST WINS IN THE ARTIST OF THE YEAR CATEGORY IF SHE TAKES HOME THE BIGGEST AWARD OF THE NIGHT FOR A FOURTH TIME”
  • Taylor Swift is the current record holder for most wins in the Artist of the Year category with 3 wins (2009, 2011 and 2013). Should she take home the award again this year, she will break her own record and remain the titleholder in this category.
“FIRST-TIME AMA NOMINEE CARDI B IS THE MOST NOMINATED FEMALE ARTIST THIS YEAR WITH 8 NOMINATIONS”
  • Cardi B is not only a first-time AMA nominee, but is also the most nominated female artist this year with 8 total nominations in the following categories: New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Collaboration of the Year, Favorite Music Video, Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock, Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop, Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop, Favorite Song – Soul/R&B, Favorite Social Artist.
“WITH 19 TOTAL WINS AND 4 NOMINATIONS THIS YEAR, TAYLOR SWIFT COULD TIE THE RECORD (WITH ALABAMA – 23 WINS) FOR 2ND MOST AMA WINS OF ALL TIME; THE CURRENT RECORD HOLDER IS MICHAEL JACKSON WITH 24 WINS”
  • Michael Jackson is the current record holder for most AMA wins ever with 24 total wins, while Alabama is second with 23 wins. Should Taylor Swift take home all 4 of the awards she is nominated for, she will tie with Alabama.
“CAMILA CABELLO, NOMINATED 5 TIMES THIS YEAR, COULD WIN HER FIRST AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD AS A SOLO ARTIST”
  • Camila Cabello is nominated for New Artist of the Year presented by Capital One Savor Card, Collaboration of the Year, Favorite Music Video, Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock and Favorite Song – Pop/Rock , and could take home her first award as a solo artist.
“FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, DRAKE & ED SHEERAN GO HEAD TO HEAD IN TWO CATEGORIES, ARTIST OF THE YEAR AND FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK”
  • Ed Sheeran was nominated for Artist of the Year in 2015 and 2017, and Drake has been nominated three times before in 2012, 2016 and 2017. They will face off again this year, for the second consecutive year in two categories: Artist of the Year and Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock.

ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS BY CATEGORY:ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Taylor Swift is the current record holder for most wins in the Artist of the Year category with 3 wins.  It will be the first win in this category for nominees Ed Sheeran, Imagine DragonsDrake and Post Malone, should they take home the award this year.  Ed Sheeran was nominated for Artist of the Year in 2015 and 2017, and Drake was nominated three times before in 2012, 2016 and 2017.
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
  • This year Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug are nominated for their hit collaboration “Havana”, alongside Post Malone & 21 Savage “Rockstar”, Bruno Mars & Cardi B“Finesse”, Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line “Meant To Be”, and ZeddMaren Morris & Grey “The Middle”. Last year, Justin Bieber captured the title of most wins in this category when he took home the award for the international hit on which he’s featured, “Despacito.” He also won in 2015 for his “Where Are Ü Now” collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo.
TOUR OF THE YEAR
  • Introduced in 2016, Beyoncé was the first to win this award, followed by Coldplaytaking home the trophy in 2017. This year, Beyoncé could win this award for the second time for her tour, OTR II, with husband JAY-Z.
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO
  • Lionel Richie holds the record for most wins (6) in the Favorite Music Video (previously known as Video of the Year) category.  Camila Cabello & Young Thug,Cardi B and Drake are up for the award this year.
FAVORITE SOCIAL ARTIST
  • For the first year ever, the AMAs will be presenting the award for Favorite Social Artist. The nominees include Ariana GrandeBTS, Cardi B, Demi Lovato and Shawn Mendes.
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
  • Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Barry ManilowEric Clapton and Michael Bolton are the current record holders for most wins in the Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock category with 3 wins each.  This could be Ed Sheeran’s second win in this category, and Drake and Post Malone’s first win should they take home the award this year.
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
  • Whitney Houston and Olivia Newton John are the current record holders for most wins in the Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock category with 4 wins each.  This will be Taylor Swift’s third win in this category should she take home the award. First-time AMA nominees Camila Cabello and Cardi B are nominated for the first time in this category.
FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
  • One DirectionAerosmith and Black Eyed Peas lead with 3 wins each in the Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock category.  If Maroon 5 win this year, it will be their third award in this category, making it a four-way tie. Should Imagine Dragons win, it will be their second award in this category, and Migos’ first ever AMA win.
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
  • Michael Jackson and Justin Bieber are the current record holders for most wins in the Favorite Album – Pop/Rock category with 3 wins each. This year, DrakeEd Sheeran and Taylor Swift are nominated in this category. This would be Taylor Swift’s second win in this category should she win this year.
FAVORITE SONG – POP/ROCK
  • Whitney HoustonBoyz II Men and Lionel Richie are tied for the most wins in this category with 2 each. This will be Camila Cabello (“Havana”), Drake (“God’s Plan”) and Ed Sheeran’s (“Perfect”) first win in this category.
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
  • Garth Brooks is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Male Artist – Country category with 8 wins. This would be Luke Bryan’s fifth time taking home the award in this category should he win. This would be the first win for Thomas Rhett and Kane Brown.
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
  • Reba McEntire is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Female Artist – Country category with 11 wins. With 5 wins in this category under her belt, Carrie Underwood could win her sixth award. Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris could win their first AMA ever this year if they win in this category.
FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY
  • Alabama is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Duo or Group – Country category with 17 wins.  Florida Georgia Line could win for a fourth time in this category, and Dan + Shay or LANCO could win their first, should they take home the award this year.
FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY
  • Kenny Rogers and Carrie Underwood are tied for most wins in the Favorite Album – Country category with 5 wins each. This year could mark Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett’s first ever win in this category.
FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY
  • Kenny Rogers leads in this category with 5 all-time wins.  Nominees Kane BrownDan + Shay or Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line could take home their first win ever in this category.
FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
  • Nicki MinajM.C. Hammer and Eminem are the current record holders for most wins in the Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop category with 3 wins each. Drake could tie with them if he wins the category this year. Fellow 2018 nominees include Cardi Band Post Malone.
FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
  • Nicki Minaj is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop category with 3 wins.  This will be Drake’s second win and Lil Uzi Vert’s and Post Malone’s first win in this category should they take home the award at the “2018 American Music Awards.”
FAVORITE SONG – RAP/HIP-HOP
  • Drake received the first ever win in this category when it was introduced in 2016 for his hit, “Hotline Bling,”. He is currently tied for most wins in this category with DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne for their song, “I’m The One”. Drake could become the record holder in this category with 2 wins should he take home the trophy this year for his song “God’s Plan.” Fellow 2018 nominees include Cardi B (“Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”) and Post Malone (“Rockstar” feat. 21 Savage).
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
  • Luther Vandross is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B category with 7 wins.  The Weeknd and Bruno Mars could win their second award in this category this year, while it would be Khalid’s first.
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
  • Rihanna is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B category with 6, and could make it 7 if she takes home the trophy this year.  Newcomers SZA and Ella Mai could win their first AMA ever should they win this category.
FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
  • Michael Jackson leads the Favorite Album – Soul/R&B category with 4 all-time wins.  This year’s newcomers, Khalid, SZA and XXXTENTACION are all first-time nominees in this category.
FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B
  • Michael Jackson holds the record for most wins (3) in this category.  2018 nominees Khalid (“Young, Dumb & Broke”) and Bruno Mars & Cardi B (“Finesse”) are nominated again in this category for the second year in a row, while newcomer Ella Mai (“Boo’d Up”) is a first-time nominee in this category.
FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK
  • Linkin Park is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock category with 6 wins. Fellow nominees Imagine Dragons could win their third award in this category, and Panic! At The Disco could win their first AMA ever should they take home the award this year.
FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY
  • Celine Dion holds the record for most wins in the Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary category with 4 wins. Nominee Shawn Mendes could win his second AMA in this category should he take home the award this year, and it would be P!NK’s first AMA win ever.
FAVORITE ARTIST – LATIN
  • Enrique Iglesias is the current record holder for the Favorite Artist – Latin category with 8 wins. Daddy Yankee could win his third AMA should he win this category, and Ozuna and J Balvin could win their first ever AMA.
FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
  • Casting Crowns is the current record holder for most wins in the Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational category with 4 wins. Other nominees in this category – MercyMe could win their third AMA, Lauren Daigle could win her second AMA, and Zach Williams could win his first AMA ever this year.
FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
  • Calvin Harris and The Chainsmokers are tied for the most wins in the Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM) category with 2 wins each.  Should The Chainsmokers win this year, they will surpass Calvin Harris for most wins ever in this category.  The duo won in this category two consecutive years (2016 and 2017). This would be Zedd’s first ever AMA win should he take home the trophy in this category.
FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK
  • Whitney Houston won 3 awards for “The Bodyguard” soundtrack in 1994 in the Adult Contemporary, Pop/Rock and Soul/R&B categories. This year, “Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By,” “The Greatest Showman” and “The Fate of the Furious: The Album” are up for the award.

TOP 10 AMA WINNERS OF ALL TIME (1974–2017):1. Michael Jackson – 24 wins total, the most AMA wins of any artist in history; Leads the Favorite Album – Pop/Rock category with 3 wins; Leads the Favorite Album – Soul/R&B category with 4 wins; Leads the Favorite Single – Soul/R&B category with 3 wins; Won Artist of the Century in 2002

2. Alabama – 23 wins total; Leads the Favorite Duo or Group – Country category with 17 wins, 14 of which are consecutive from 1983-1996

3. Whitney Houston – 21 wins total, the most AMA wins of any female artist in history

4. Taylor Swift – 19 wins total; Leads the Artist of the Year category with 3 wins; Won Dick Clark Award for Excellence in 2014

Kenny Rogers – 19 wins total; Leads the Favorite Album – Country category with 5 wins and the Favorite Single – Country category, also with 5 wins

5. Garth Brooks – 17 wins total; Leads the Favorite Male Artist – Country category with 8 wins, 6 of which are consecutive from 1992-1997; Won Artist of the Decade in 2000

6. Reba McEntire – 15 wins total; Leads the Favorite Female Artist – Country category with 11 wins, 9 of which are consecutive from 1988-1996; Reba McEntire, Lionel Richie and Justin Bieber tie as record holders with 15 wins each

Lionel Richie – 15 wins total; Lionel Richie, Reba McEntire and Justin Bieber tie as record holders with 15 wins each

Justin Bieber – 15 wins total; 3 wins for Favorite Album – Pop/Rock (2010, 2012, 2016); Justin Bieber, Reba McEntire and Lionel Richie tie as record holders with 15 wins each

7. Rihanna – 12 wins total; Won the Icon Award in 2013; Leads the Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B category with 6 wins

Willie Nelson – 12 wins total; Won the Award of Appreciation: Farm-Aid in 1986 and Award of Merit in 1989
Carrie Underwood – 12 wins total; 5 wins for Favorite Female Artist – Country (2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)

8. Janet Jackson – 11 wins total; Won the Award of Merit in 2001; Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Tim McGraw tie as record holders with 11 wins each

Stevie Wonder – 11 wins total; Won the Award of Merit in 1982; Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson and Tim McGraw tie as record holders with 11 wins each

Tim McGraw – 11 wins total; 6 wins for Favorite Male Artist – Country (2001, 2002, 2003 (x2), 2005, 2007); Tim McGraw, Janet Jackson and Stevie Wonder tie as record holders with 11 wins each

9. Mariah Carey – 10 wins total; Received an Award of Achievement in 2000, and one in 2008 for becoming the solo artist with the most number one hits of all time

Randy Travis – 10 wins total; Won Favorite Male Artist – Country three years in a row (1988, 1989, 1990)

10. Olivia Newton-John – 9 wins total; Shares the record for most wins (4) in the Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock category with Whitney Houston
Luther Vandross – 9 wins total; Leads the Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B category   with 7 wins

Boyz II Men – 9 wins total; 4 wins for Favorite Duo or Group – Soul/R&B (1993, 1995, 1996, 1998)

2019 Miss America Competition: Miss New York Nia Imani Franklin crowned the winner

September 9, 2018

by Yvette Thomas

Miss America 2019 Nia Amani Franklin
Miss America 2019 Nia Imani Franklin (Photo by Lou Rocco/ABC)

Miss New York title holder Nia Imani Franklin, 25, was crowned Miss America 2019 at the Miss America Competition that took place at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on September 9, 2018. “Dancing With the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba and media personality Ross Matthews hosted the show, which was televised in the U.S. on ABC. The grand prize is $50,000 in scholarship money, with the requirement of numerous personal appearances and other commitments as Miss America during her the year of her reign.

The judges were boxer Laila Ali, country radio personality, Bobby Bones, singer Jessie James Decker, “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson, TV journalist Soledad O’Brien, Drybar founder Alli Webb and singer Carnie Wilson.

For the talent segment of the show, Franklin did an operatic vocal of “Quando m’en vo”” from “La Bohème.” In the final round of the competition, Franklin was asked how being Miss New York prepared her for her being Miss America judge Ali. Franklin answered, “I have New York grit. I have moved over five times because of subletting in New York. It can be a little difficult because of the pricey rent, but I’ve overcome that. And also, as a New Yorker, I understand what it takes to work hard. I came up on a Lincoln Center fellowship because I’m an artist, and I’m really excited to just share my platform my social impact advocating for the arts and make sure all students have access to a quality education.”

Miss Florida Taylor Tyson, Miss Connecticut Bridget Oei, Miss America 2019 Nia Imani Franklin, Miss Louisiana Holli’ Conway and Miss Massachusetts Gabriela Taveras (Photo by Lou Rocco/ABC)

Rounding out the Top 5 contestants were Miss Connecticut Bridget Oei (first runner-up); Miss Louisiana Holli’ Conway (second runner-up); Miss Florida Taylor Tyson (third runner-up); and Miss Massachusetts Gabriela Taveras (fourth runner-up).

It was the first Miss America show to take place since the massive changes that the Miss America Organization implemented in 2018 under its new leadership headed by chairperson Gretchen Carlson. The changes included eliminating the swimsuit competition, which was replaced with more interview time for the contestants; changing the show’s name from the Miss America Pageant to the Miss America Competition; and no longer judging the contestants for their physical looks. The evening gown portion of the show remained, but the contestants were no longer judged on how they looked in the gowns. The contestants also wore more casual business attire during another part of the competition.

Miss America 2019 Nia Imani Franklin (Photo by Lou Rocco/ABC)

Instead of being judged by their looks, the contestants were judged on various other factors, such as their poise, how they answered questions, their personalities, intelligence, talent and personal accomplishments.

The big changes to the Miss America show didn’t come without a lot of controversy. People opposed to the changes include several pageant officials and contestants on the state and local levels, former Miss America contestants and thousand of petitioners who have demanded that Carlson and other Miss America Organization leaders resign.

Miss America 2018 Cara Mund is also among the critics. In August, she went public with an open letter voicing her disapproval of the new policies and leadership. In the letter and in many subsequent interviews, Mund accused Carlson and other Miss American Organization leaders of bullying her and excluding her. The Miss America Organization issued this statement in response to Mund’s claims: “The Miss America Organization supports Cara. It is disappointing that she chose to air her grievances publicly not privately. Her letter contains mischaracterizations and many unfounded accusations. We are reaching out to her privately to address her concerns.” Carlson also went on Twitter to deny the claims. There also many supporters of the new changes for the Miss America show, but they weren’t as vocal as the critics were.

Miss America 2018 Cara Mund crowns Miss America 2019 Nia Imani Franklin (Photo by Lou Rocco/ABC)

Despite the controversy, Mund was all smiles on stage as she fulfilled her duties of crowning Miss America 2019.

Franklin, who is a native North Carolina, graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in music composition. In 2017, she earned her master of fine arts degree in music competition from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Franklin moved to New York City after being selected as a 2017 William R. Kenan Jr. fellow with the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ education division.

Final results Contestant(s)
Miss America 2019
  • New York (state) New York – Nia Franklin
1st runner-up
  • Connecticut Connecticut -Bridget Oei
2nd runner-up
  • Louisiana Louisiana – Holli’ Conway
3rd runner-up
  • Florida Florida – Taylor Tyson
4th runner-up
  • Massachusetts Massachusetts – Gabriela Taveras
Top 10
  • Alabama Alabama – Callie Walker
  • Colorado Colorado – Ellery Jones
  • Washington, D.C. District of Columbia – Allison Farris
  • Idaho Idaho – Nina Forest
  • Nebraska Nebraska – Jessica Shultis
Top 15
  • Indiana Indiana – Lydia Tremaine
  • Minnesota Minnesota – Michaelene Karlen
  • Oklahoma Oklahoma – Ashley Thompson
  • Washington (state) Washington – Danamarie McNicholl
  • Wisconsin Wisconsin – Tianna Vanderhei

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences cancels idea of ‘popular film’ category

September 6, 2018

by Carla Hay

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfdbCfVdnhY

Just one month after announcing that there would be a new Oscar category for outstanding achievement in popular film, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has canceled plans to add that category, which would have debuted at the 2019 Academy Awards. In a statement, Academy CEO Dawn Hudson essentially admitted that the “popular film” category hadn’t been thought out very well, saying that “we recognize the need for further discussion with our members.” The would-be category was controversial from the beginning, with most of the criticism saying that the new “popular film” category would make box-office revenues part of the criteria to qualify a movie for an Oscar nomination in that category. Because the Academy had not revealed how it would define “popular” films for this category, that vagueness also caused confusion.

Adding to the confusion: The Academy had said that films eligible in the “popular film” category could also be eligible for the Best Picture category.  Critics of the idea didn’t like the probability that the “popular film” category would cause some messy or unfair overlap with hit films that also could be considered for nominations in the Best Picture category.  There was also backlash because adding a “popular film” category at the Oscars would imply that nominations for the Best Picture category shouldn’t be “popular” films.

Here is a press release from the Academy that addresses the decision to drop the idea of the “popular film” category and announces key dates for the 2020 Oscar ceremony:

While remaining committed to celebrating a wide spectrum of movies, the Academy announced today that it will not present the new Oscars category at the upcoming 91st awards. The Academy recognized that implementing any new award nine months into the year creates challenges for films that have already been released.  The Board of Governors continues to be actively engaged in discussions, and will examine and seek additional input regarding this category.

“There has been a wide range of reactions to the introduction of a new award, and we recognize the need for further discussion with our members,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson.  “We have made changes to the Oscars over the years—including this year—and we will continue to evolve while also respecting the incredible legacy of the last 90 years.”

Changes to the 91st Oscars (2019) include restructuring and shortening the length of the telecast to three hours.  To honor all 24 award categories, six to eight categories will be presented live, in the Dolby Theatre®, during commercial breaks. The winning moments will then be edited and aired later in the broadcast.  Selected categories will be rotated each year.  The Academy will collaborate with the show producer(s) to select these categories.

The Board of Governors also voted to move up the date of the 92nd Oscars telecast to Sunday, February 9, 2020, from the previously announced February 23. The date change in the timeline will not affect awards eligibility dates or the voting process.

The key dates for the 2019 awards season are as follows:

Saturday, November 16, 2019 Governors Awards
Thursday, January 2, 2020  Nominations voting opens
Tuesday, January 7, 2020  Nominations voting closes
Monday, January 13, 2020  Oscar Nominations Announcement
Monday, January 27, 2020  Oscar Nominees Luncheon
Thursday, January 30, 2020  Finals voting opens
Tuesday, February 4, 2020  Finals voting closes
Sunday, February 9, 2020  92nd Oscars

Starting in 2020, the Scientific and Technical Awards will move to June, as the technologies honored do not represent achievements within a specific awards year.

The 91st Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

2018 American Music Awards: Tracee Ellis Ross returns as host

September 5, 2018

AMAs logo

 

Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)

The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions and ABC:

Dick Clark Productions and ABC announced today that Golden Globe® Award winner and Emmy® nominee Tracee Ellis Ross, star of ABC’s hit comedy “black-ish,” will return as host and an executive producer for the “2018 American Music Awards.” Known for her love of music, impeccable comedic timing and bold sense of style, Ross will once again take the stage to preside over an evening of nonstop musical magic and unforgettable moments. The “2018 American Music Awards,” the world’s largest fan-voted awards show, will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, on ABC.

Tracee Ellis Ross is the star of the hit ABC comedy series “black-ish,” which is entering its fifth season premiering Tuesday, Oct. 16. For her role, Ross won the 2017 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Most recently, Ross was nominated for a 2017 Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. This followed her 2015 and 2016 Emmy nominations in the same category. She also received the 2015 and 2016 NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. In addition, Ross was honored and acknowledged at the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon receiving the Fierce and Fearless Award. Ross is known for her starring role on the hit sitcom “Girlfriends,” which ran for eight seasons on the UPN/CW Network.

Nominations for the “2018 American Music Awards” will be announced live by Kane Brown, Ella Mai, Normani and Bebe Rexha on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from YouTube Space LA in Los Angeles.  American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected in Billboard Magazine and on Billboard.com, including album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, social activity and touring. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound, and reflect the time period of Sept. 15, 2017, through Aug. 9, 2018.
YouTube Music is the presenting sponsor of the “2018 American Music Awards.”

The “2018 American Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Barry Adelman, Mark Bracco and Tracee Ellis Ross are executive producers. Larry Klein is producer.

About the American Music Awards

The American Music Awards, the world’s biggest fan-voted award show, features performances from today’s hottest artists and presents fan-voted awards in the music genres of Pop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Inspirational, Latin, EDM and Soundtrack, and the categories of Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year Presented by Capital One, Collaboration of the Year, Tour of The Year and Video of the Year. The American Music Awards pays tribute to today’s most influential and iconic artists.  The show is produced by dick clark productions and is seen in more than 200 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.theamas.com, www.dickclark.com or abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards.

About dick clark productions

Dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. dcp is a division of Valence Media, a diversified media company with divisions and strategic investments in premium television, wide release film, specialty film, live events and digital media. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

About YouTube Music

YouTube Music is a completely reimagined streaming music service with music videos, official albums, singles, remixes, live performances, covers and hard-to-find music you can only get on YouTube. It’s ALL here! YouTube Music serves music based on your tastes and what’s moving the community around you. Discover something new or keep up with what’s trending. Basic functions such as playing music and watching videos are totally free, but you can upgrade to YouTube Music Premium to explore the world of music ad-free, offline, and with the screen locked. Available on mobile and desktop.  For additional information, visit  www.youtube.com/musicpremium.

For the latest American Music Awards news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the AMAs on social and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #AMAs.
Facebook: Facebook.com/AMAs
Twitter: @AMAs
Instagram: @AMAs
Snapchat: TheAMAs
YouTube: YouTube.com/TheAMAs
Cheat tweet: She’s BACK! @TraceeEllisRoss is returning as host for the @AMAs, LIVE October 9th on ABC: amas.news/18Host #AMAs #ABCPublicity
Tickets are now on sale at www.axs.com.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences adds new category for ‘popular films’ and drops some categories from Oscar telecast

August 8, 2018

by Carla Hay

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced some big changes to the annual Oscar ceremony:

  • A new category for outstanding achievement in popular film will be added, beginning with the 91st annual Academy Awards, which will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Feb. 24, 2019. The Academy says that it will announce at a later date what its rules and regulations are for the new “popular film” category, but the Academy said that movies in this new category will also be eligible for the category of Best Picture.
  • Some categories will be dropped from the Oscar telecast, and the prizes for those categories will be given out during commercial breaks. The winners of the dropped categories will be listed sometime during the telecast. This change will also go into effect for the 2019 Oscar ceremony. The Academy says it will announce at a later date which categories are being dropped from the telecast. ABC has the U.S. telecast of the Oscars.
  • The Academy will strictly enforce a three-hour time limit for the Oscar telecast. In the past, the Oscar telecast has almost always gone past three-and-a-half hours, while some Oscar telecasts have been four hours or longer.
  • The date for the 92nd annual Academy Awards has been moved up from Feb. 23 to Feb. 9, 2020. The earlier date means that the Grammys and other award shows in Los Angeles that usually take place in February before the Oscars will be affected and will probably have to move the dates of their award shows too.

The changes come at a time when ratings for the Oscars have been steadily declining in recent years. The 2018 Academy Awards was the lowest-rated Oscar telecast so far, with 26.5 million U.S. viewers.

Ratings for other major award shows (for example, the Grammys, Emmys and Tonys) have been declining too. There are many theories for why TV audiences have been less interested in these award shows, including an over-saturation of award shows, as well as more competition for viewers’ attention by streaming services such as Netflix. Many people on the Internet have also said they don’t like watching award shows in recent years because of political comments that people make on stage.

With the Oscars, declining ratings have also been blamed on the fact that, in recent years, most of the winners in the biggest categories are from independent films that are not in wide release or are not big hits. The trend toward independent films winning Best Picture over major-studio blockbusters began at the 1999 Oscars, when “Shakespeare in Love” won over “Saving Private Ryan.”

That trend was repeated in subsequent Oscar ceremonies, with independent films winning Best Picture, while major-studio films that were bigger hits at the box office would usually win in the lower-profile technical categories. Consider the Oscars won by “The Hurt Locker” vs. “Avatar” in 2010; “The King’s Speech” vs. “Inception” in 2011; “12 Years a Slave” vs. “Gravity” in 2014; “Spotlight” vs. “Mad Max: Fury Road” in 2016; and “The Shape of Water” vs. “Dunkirk” in 2018. All were nominated for Best Picture in those years, but independent films have dominated the winners’ list for Best Picture for the past two decades, and that trend doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.

The Academy expanded the maximum number of films that could be nominated for Best Picture from five to 10 (effective with the 2010 Oscar ceremony), in an effort to bring more diversity to its Best Picture nominees.  However, that diversity didn’t really happen when it comes to certain genres of films. Comedies, horror movies and animated films are still rarely nominated for Best Picture. Action films and sci-fi films have fared a little better in getting Best Picture nominations since the maximum number of potential Best Picture nominations per year expanded to 10, but drama continues to be the predictable genre of choice to win Best Picture. “The Shape of Water,” although it has fantasy elements, is essentially still a drama film. And it was an independent film that’s in line with the Best Picture winner trend of not being a big, mainstream hit at the box office.

The Academy’s addition of a new Oscar category for “popular films” is an another obvious attempt to give some kind of “best picture” award to movies that are critically acclaimed big hits at the box office, but are typically snubbed for the Best Picture award. This big change to the Oscars is undoubtedly controversial, since many people believe that box-office sales should not be criteria for Oscar nominations. Other people who support this new category would argue that the Oscars are a popularity contest anyway, so this new category is an inevitable recognition in rewarding what is popular with movie-going audiences, not just Academy members.

Whether people like this new category or not, what should be obvious is that adding a new category is not going to bring back the massive ratings that the Oscars used to have. Too much has changed in the entertainment landscape, and the people who have been turned off from watching the Oscars aren’t going suddenly change their minds if a new category is added.

Critics of the Oscar telecast say that the show overall needs to be more entertaining. However, the performance-filled Grammy Awards has plenty of entertainment, and ratings for the Grammys are still declining. The Oscar telecast, just like any show on a broadcast network, has to face reality that it can no longer command the audience size it used to have because there are too many other options on what to watch.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president John Bailey at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on February 5, 2018. (Photo by Matt Prtit/ ©A.M.P.A.S.

In other Academy news, cinematographer John Bailey has been elected to a second four-year term as president of the Academy. This is also Bailey’s 15th year as a governor representing the Cinematographers Branch. In addition, the Academy has elected these officers to its Board of Governors:

  • Lois Burwell, First Vice President (chair, Awards and Events Committee)
    • Sid Ganis, Vice President (chair, Museum Committee)
    • Larry Karaszewski, Vice President (chair, Preservation and History Committee)
    • Nancy Utley, Vice President (chair, Education and Outreach Committee)
    • Jim Gianopulos, Treasurer (chair, Finance Committee)
    • David Rubin, Secretary (chair, Membership and Administration Committee)

Burwell, Gianopulos, Rubin and Utley were re-elected. Ganis, who returned to the board this year, served as Academy president from 2005-2009. Karaszewski is a first-time Academy board member.

2018 Comic-Con International: ABC activities and exclusives

July 11, 2018

“The Rookie” star Nathan Fillion (Photo courtesy of ABC)

The following is a press release from ABC:

As the home of today’s hottest hit series and the origin of countless iconic brands, ABC is a powerhouse in the realm of dynamic storytelling. This year, explore the world of ABC with an interactive fan experience spanning multiple genres. Meet the stars of hit series, immerse yourself in a high-tech multicam show environment and score limited edition collectibles. Visit the ABC guest counter for more details and to register for cast signings.

ABC will be bringing the star power to Comic-Con 2018 with talent appearances from some of the network’s most popular and exciting series. Meet and greet, and autograph signings will be taking place at the ABC booth (#4245) on the convention floor from Friday, July 20–Sunday, July 22; and exclusive merchandise will be available for purchase from Wednesday, July 18–Sunday, July 22.

Below is a schedule of exclusive signing dates/times (talent participation, subject to change):

FRIDAY, JULY 20

Nathan Fillion in "The Rookie" (Photo by Tony Rivetti/ABC)
Nathan Fillion in “The Rookie” (Photo by Tony Rivetti/ABC)

4:00 PM                      THE ROOKIE – Nathan Fillion (“Castle,” “Firefly”)

THE ROOKIE:
Facebook: @TheRookieABC
Twitter: @TheRookie
Instagram: @therookieabc
Hashtag: #TheRookie

 

SATURDAY, JULY 21

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” stars Henry Simmons, Natalia Cordova-Buckley, Chloe Bennet, Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen,Elizabeth Henstridge and Iain De Caestecker  (Photo by Matthias Clamer/ABC)

11:00 AM                    MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. – Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Natalia Cordova-Buckley, Henry Simmons, Jeff Ward and Ming-Na Wen, as well as executive producers Jeff Bell, Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen and Jeph Loeb

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.:
Facebook: @AgentsofShield
Twitter: @agentsofshield
Instagram: @agentsofshield
Hashtag: #agentsofshield

Scott Foley and Lauren Cohan in “Whiskey Cavalier” (Photo by Larry D. Horricks/ABC)

12:45 PM-1:45 PM      WHISKEY CAVALIER – Lauren Cohan (“The Walking Dead”)

WHISKEY CAVALIER:
Facebook: @WhiskeyCavalierABC
Twitter: @whiskeycav
Instagram: @whiskeycavalierabc
Hashtag: #WhiskeyCavalier

“The Goldbergs” stars Hayley Orrantia, Sean Giambrone, Wendi McLendon-Covey Troy Gentile, George Segal and Jeff Garlin (Photo by Craig Sjodin/ABC)

3:00 PM                      THE GOLDBERGS/SCHOOLED – Jeff Garlin, Troy Gentile, Sean Giambrone, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Hayley Orrantia and AJ Michalka (“Schooled”)

THE GOLDBERGS:
Facebook: @TheGoldbergsABC
Twitter: @TheGoldbergsABC
Instagram: @thegoldbergsabc
Hashtag: #TheGoldbergs

SCHOOLED:
Facebook: @SchooledABC
Twitter: @schooledabc
Instagram: @schooledabc
Hashtag: #Schooled

SUNDAY, JULY 22

11:00 AM                    ONCE UPON A TIME – Lana Parrilla (“Evil Queen/Roni”)
ONCE UPON A TIME
Facebook: @OnceABC
Twitter: @OnceABC
Instagram: @onceabcofficial
Hashtag: #OnceUponATime

“Child Support” host Fred Savage (Photo by Lisa Rose/ABC)

1:00 PM                      TGIF – Forrest Wheeler (“Fresh Off the Boat”), John Ross Bowie (“Speechless”), Cedric Yarbrough (“Speechless”) and Fred Savage (“Child Support”)

FRESH OFF THE BOAT:
Facebook: @FreshOffTheBoatABC
Twitter: @FreshOffABC
Instagram: @freshofftheboatabc
Hashtag: #FreshOffTheBoat

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In addition to the meet-and-greet opportunities, the ABC booth will offer fans the opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise from such series as “Alias,” “Blossom,” “Dinosaurs,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Golden Girls,” “Home Improvement,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Scrubs” and “School House Rocks!” Among the exclusives available at the booth are the following:

“The Golden Girls” San Diego Exclusive Mystery Box
Limited edition “The Golden Girls” “Stay Golden San Diego” 3-inch enamel pin
Limited edition “The Golden Girls” “Stay Golden San Diego” 11-ounce mug
Limited edition “The Golden Girls” “Stay Golden San Diego” lanyard, featuring a detachable keychain and cheesecake charm
Limited edition “Once Upon A Time” Dark One Dagger 7-inch letter opener
Limited edition “Schoolhouse Rocks!” print poster (11 inches by 14 inches), autographed by co-creator George Newall
Limited edition “LOST” two-pack 1.5-inch enamel pin set, featuring the Dharma Arrow logo and Dharma Swan logo

ABC announces ‘Roseanne’ will be replaced by spinoff show without Roseanne Barr

June 21, 2018

The cast of the “Roseanne” reboot, with Roseanne Barr pictured front row and center. Also pictured, clockwise from bottom left: Sara Gilbert, Laurie Metcalf, John Goodman, Sarah Chalke, Lecy Goranson and Michael Fishman. (Photo courtesy of ABC)

After the Roseanne Barr racism controversy that led to the “Roseanne” reboot being cancelled, ABC has decided to replace the show with a spinoff starring the same cast members, but without Barr being involved in the spinoff show.

The following is a press release from ABC:

“The Conners” (working title), a spinoff of the groundbreaking family comedy “Roseanne,” has been greenlit to series with an order of 10 episodes for fall 2018. After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before. This iconic family— Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. —grapples with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America. Through it all, the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns – with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.

The series, featuring John Goodman (“Dan”), Laurie Metcalf (“Jackie”), Sara Gilbert (“Darlene”), Lecy Goranson (“Becky”) and Michael Fishman (“D.J.”) as their beloved Conner characters, is set to air Tuesdays (8:00-8:30 p.m.). Additional cast members and a premiere date will be announced later.

Roseanne Barr will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series.

“The Conners’ stories demonstrate that families can always find common ground through conversation, laughter and love. The spinoff will continue to portray contemporary issues that are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago,” ABC shared in a statement.

In support of their new series, cast members John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson and Michael Fishman said, in a joint statement:

“We have received a tremendous amount of support from fans of our show, and it’s clear that these characters not only have a place in our hearts, but in the hearts and homes of our audience. We all came back last season because we wanted to tell stories about the challenges facing a working-class family today. We are so happy to have the opportunity to return with the cast and crew to continue to share those stories through love and laughter.”

Tom Werner will executive produce, along with Sara Gilbert, Bruce Helford, Dave Caplan, Bruce Rasmussen and Tony Hernandez. Bruce Helford, Dave Caplan and Bruce Rasmussen are also writers. The series is from Tom Werner and Werner Entertainment.

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