Some 68 million viewers worldwide tuned in to watch ceremony in Los Angeles and 33.4 million of them were in America
The boy band BTS and the rock band Coldplay each grabbed a one-two punch at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The K-pop band BTS kicked off the show with their take on Can’t Stop the Feeling!, the theme song from Disney’s animated movie Moana, and they were followed by Coldplay, who sang Viva La Vida.
Both performances had high production values: the band was joined by a marching band and boys in bugle and trumpets to open their show.
Coldplay was eventually joined by Charlie Puth, who sang Amazing as a choir of gospel and youth choirs performed a medley of gospel and soul singers.
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Coldplay won three awards: for favorite pop rock/pop duo or group, favorite pop rock artist and favorite rock song, the latter for Can’t Stop the Feeling.
BTS won a song of the year award for Love Yourself: Tear, with the singer, Jimin, saying he had been touched by the award.
They also won favorite music group/duo or group – international, while performing that song.
“This is such a great moment,” he said. “I have to give it to the American people.”
Jordyn Woods, left, and Khloe Kardashian attend the American Music Awards. Photograph: Randee Dadd/AMA2017/Getty Images for dcp
Singer Harry Styles earned two awards, favorite soul/R&B artist and favorite pop/rock album for self-titled third solo album.
The main AMAs, broadcast live by ABC, also celebrated the top pop radio hits, with album of the year going to XXXTentacion, and favorite pop/rock album going to Ariana Grande.
The three-hour awards show also included surprise performances by musical legends Beyoncé and Jay-Z and country singer Taylor Swift.
Rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight, who was shot 11 times at a Los Angeles nightclub last year, was given the GMA Hero award. The award was presented by legendary songwriter Diane Warren, who produced tracks with Warren.
During the ceremony, the Busby Berkeley-style Broadway production of On Your Feet! starring Gloria Estefan as her hit song One, dedicated to her late husband Emilio on Broadway, set the night afire with its dance numbers and acted out by supporting actor actors.
The ceremony was hosted by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, and featured performances by Pink, Miley Cyrus, Pink feat. Justin Timberlake, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Twenty One Pilots, Fifth Harmony, Shawn Mendes, Imagine Dragons, John Legend, Alessia Cara, Pitbull, Migos, Shawn Mendes, and the Chainsmokers.
Former President Barack Obama, who will next month deliver the commencement address at Harvard University, posted a tweet about his thoughts on the AMAs and their impact.
“It’s always heartening to see artists use their platform to share positive messages of inclusion and tolerance,” he wrote. “I’m so proud of the artists in attendance here tonight, and look forward to all the inspiring moments they’ll deliver this evening.”
A few other notable tweets featured the TV show This Is Us, rapper Cardi B, and DJ Khaled.
On your feet! Jay-Z wins Favorite Soul/R&B Artist and Favorite Urban Contemporary Artist with Beyoncé! pic.twitter.com/l4K8YGFs2b — The American Music Awards (@AMAs) August 9, 2017
On behalf of all the African Americans that have given everything, I’m so proud of you! #AMAs pic.twitter.com/ibndzR9ANk — Ed Lover (@edlover) August 9, 2017
What You Say Means Everything! ????♀️#AMAs pic.twitter.com/bjwjPuY8Pe — Cardi B Official IG (@iamcardib) August 9, 2017
Cardi B was nominated for several awards, including two solo nods, but failed to win.