2017 AMAs: Diana Ross & Family, BTS Mania & More Highlights

Diana Ross

It was a night to remember as the music industry banded together for the 2017 American Music Awards, which went down on Sunday (November 18) from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. 

From P!NK & Kelly Clarkson's emotional opening number to Christina Aguilera's touching homage to the late Whitney Houston in honor of The Bodyguard's 20th anniversary, to BTS's TV debut, it was a spectacle that had eyes peeled from beginning to end. 

If you missed out on the show, iHeartRadio has you covered with some of the most memorable moments from the star-studded affair. Take a look below!

Diana Ross Accepts Lifetime Achievement Award

Diana Ross is a legend, and at the American Music Awards she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Speaking about her influence on American music and culture, Former President Barack Obama and Former First Lady Michelle Obama congratulated the star in a pre-recorded video. Then, Diana's son, Evan, introduced his mama.

While onstage, Diana performed a medley of her classic hits such as “I’m Coming Out,” “Take Me Higher” and more. Her performance was a family affair! Diana's grandchildren soon joiner her onstage, as well as her children, including the AMAs host, Tracee Ellis Ross. “This is the family. We love you so much, so very much,” Diana said, as she was handed her award. “This is all about love. This says it all. This is my family and I’m sending love out there to all of you, each and every one of you of our global family.”

P!NK and Kelly Clarkson Honor First Responders with "Everybody Hurts" Duet

P!nk & Kelly Clarkson

Kicking off the show, all of the first responders of this year's recent natural disasters were honored with a special performance from two pop powerhouses: P!nk and Kelly Clarkson. The ladies hit the stage to sing a touching cover of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts."

Christina Aguilera Pays Tribute to Whitney Houston

Christina Aguilera performed a Whitney Houston tribute performance in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the late icon's classic film The BodyguardAguilera's onstage look was simple. She wore a black dress and had her platinum blonde hair pulled straight down to the back. While putting her all into her performance, the X Factor judge began with “I Will Always Love You.” From there, Aguilera ventured off into “I Have Nothing,” “Run to You” and closed with “I’m Every Woman.” 

P!nk Turned into Spiderman While Performing on the Side of a Hotel

We already knew that P!nk could sing while flying through the air -- she does this while on tour. But we've NEVER seen her pull THIS off before. During her AMAs performance, P!nk performed with aerial dancers ON THE SIDE OF A HOTEL. LIKE SPIDERMAN. She sang "Beautiful Trauma" about 34 floors in the air. Now that's talent!

BTS Makes History & Turns Everyone into a Fan in the Process

During a history-making performance at this year's American Music Awards, K-Pop international superstars BTS gave America the performance it had been waiting for. One of the first K-Pop groups to ever perform at the AMAs, and making their first U.S. TV performance, the guys performed their hit "DNA." To say that BTS's AMAs performance was amazing is an understatement. EVERYONE turned their attention to the group while they took over the stage with their amazing dance moves, and everyone was LOVING it ... especially Ansel Elgort.

Selena Gomez Returns to the Stage

It was Selena Gomez's first performance in over a year, and her first performance since undergoing a kidney transplant. The 25-year-old pop star turned the American Music Awards stage into a mysterious forest during her performance of "Wolves" with DJ/producer Marshmello. Newly blonde, laying on the stage floor amidst a cloud of smoke in front of a car, Selena Gomez began singing the lyrics to her new collaboration. Then, she was joined by a group of dancers as Marshmello hit the decks behind the DJ booth, as she moved on to the hood of the car.

A few days before her "Wolves" performance, she posted on Instagram, "My first performance in over a year.. the AMAs have been a place where I’ve shared some of my most intimate moments. Heart wants what it wants, after treatment and now Wolves."

Linkin Park Remembers Chester Bennington with Message to Fans

Linkin Park

Linkin Park took home the AMA for Favorite Alternative Rock Artist, and while accepting the award, Mike Shinoda dedicated the win to Chester Bennington, and had an important life lesson for all fans watching. Mike said, "Take a moment to appreciate what you've got. Make Chester proud." 

Khalid Teams Up with Imagine Dragons for Epic Mashup

Khalid, Imagine Dragons

Khalid is one of the breakout stars of the year, and during the AMAs, he teamed up with rock band Imagine Dragons to perform an epic mashup of his song "Young Dumb & Broke," and their hit "Thunder." After their performance, Khalid tweeted, "NO WAY WE JUST DID THAT!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!"

Tracee Ellis Ross' Outfit Slayage

AMAs

The gorgeous Tracee Ellis Ross hosted the 2017 American Music Awards, and she didn't come to play with her looks. From the minute we saw her strut her stuff down the red carpet, to seeing the many different outfits that she graced the AMAs stage with, the beauty turned heads and made countless jaws drop with each outfit. Since her legendary mother, Diana Ross, was being honored this same night, Tracee's many looks were inspired by her mom's style. 

As you may or may not know, Diana was a fashion iconic long before any of our favorites even graced a stage for the very first time. Many of today's artists continue to be inspired by her daring looks, as they dress themselves. And let us just say that Tracee definitely did her mom justice!

Photos: Getty Images


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