AMAs: JLo wows with a capella medley, Enrique Iglesias takes home 7th award
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jennifer Lopez performs at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Jennifer Lopez gave fans a taste of what they could expect when she opened Sunday’s American Music Awards with a stunning opening medley.
The 46-year-old host kicked off the AMAs in a dance routine that highlighted some of the year’s biggest hits like, “Where Are U Now,” “Anaconda,” “Uptown Funk!” and “Hotline Bling.” The pop singer impressed fans by singing almost a cappella.
Social media went crazy during the performance because one of Lopez's backup dancers split her tight body suit.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fellow Latina singers Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato also wowed with their performances of “Same Old love” and “Confident,” respectively. Lovato also joined singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette for a duet of the latter’s iconic hit “You Oughta Know.”
Morissette was celebrating the 20th anniversary of her massively popular debut album, “Jagged Little Pill.”
As for the winners, Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias took home his seventh AMA – beating out Ricky Martin and Romeo Santos for Favorite Latin Artist.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“I can't belive its been 16 years since my first #AMA. Thank you to all my fans for making this possible,” he wrote in an Instagram post that accompanied a picture of the singer kissing his award. “I really couldn't do this without you guys!!! Gracias a todos mis fans! I love you!”
In the top award of the night, One Direction was named artist of the year over Justin Bieber.
"This is a testament to how incredible our fans are," Louis Tomlinson said onstage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We just want to thank everyone that's helped us in the last five years," Liam Payne added.
The band won the top award at last year's show — as a quintet with Zayn Malik. They also won favorite duo or group — pop/rock Sunday night.
Bieber, who won best collaboration with Diplo and Skrillex, closed the night with a medley of his hits, including "Sorry," ''Where Are U Now" and "What Do You Mean." Purple laser lights beamed from the stage as the singer danced and sang for the loud audience. He ended it drenched after standing under a waterfall.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Billboard announced Sunday his new album, "Purpose," will debut at No. 1 on its charts Monday after selling 649,000 equivalent albums. It beat out One Direction's "Made In the A.M.," which sold 459,000 equivalent albums.
Bieber's performance wasn't the only well-received one: Céline Dion paid tribute to the victims of the recent Paris attacks by singing Edith Piaf's "Hymne à L'Amour" in French as some audience members cried.
Jared Leto, who introduced Dion, said his band 30 Seconds to Mars recently performed at the Bataclan, the Paris concert hall where 89 people were killed in the Nov. 13 attack.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dion earned a rousing applause after her performance, which started with the Eiffel Tower projected behind her.
The Weeknd's performance was also a favorite, and he walked away with two awards, and presented the first one from Prince.
"Make some noise for Prince, ladies and gentlemen," the singer said after picking up favorite album — soul/R&B for "Beauty Behind the Madness."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nicki Minaj was also a double winner, taking home favorite artist and album — rap/hip-hop. She encouraged her feverish fans to "find their voice."
"I want to just thank you, the fans, for allowing me to change and have a different voice every time I come back out (with a new album)," Minaj said. "And please find your voice and find your purpose before it's too late. Love you."
Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth's performance got additional attention after the singers made out onstage after singing their song, "Marvin Gaye," which features the lyrics: "Let's Marvin Gaye and get it on."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I'm still laughing at Charlie and Meghan smooching," Bryan said onstage after winning favorite male artist — country.
Bryan beat out Jason Aldean and Sam Hunt, who won new artist of the year.
Taylor Swift, who is out of the country shooting a music video, was the top nominee with six. She won song of the year for "Blank Space," favorite album — pop/rock for "1989" and favorite artist — adult contemporary
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Swift lost favorite female artist — pop/rock to Ariana Grande, who was shocked when accepting the honor.
"I think I owe a lot of this to my nonna who made sure to remind me that she voted. She goes, 'Ariana, I went on the computer, I voted, so I think you'll win,'" Grande said in an Italian accent.
The three-hour show, which aired on ABC, also included a clip from the upcoming "Star Wars" film. Performers included Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, 5 Seconds of Summer and Carrie Underwood, who won favorite female artist — country.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Based on reporting by the Associated Press.