From Lizzo's Tiny Purse to Selena Gomez's Shaky Return: The Internet's Hottest AMA Takes
In terms of memes, the AMAs didn't disappoint. In other respects, of course it disappointed. It's the AMAs.
As we know, the Internet is the world's most accurate and knowledgeable arbiter of talent, and Twitter users and entertainment bloggers are the definitive arbiters of taste and quality.
Also, the AMAs are notorious for selecting top-tier talent, never catering to the whims of the music industry and their own moneyed interests, but rather elevating the voices of artists who deserve to be honored...That said, here's what the Internet had to say about the AMAs.
1. Selena Gomez's performance was off-key—but it wasn't her fault
After nearly two years away from the stage, Selena Gomez returned to perform her new song "Lose You to Love Me." The Internet immediately responded with harsh criticism, calling her performance off-key, but many leapt to her defense, arguing that nerves and her long absence from performing played a role.
Apparently, the performance was plagued by technical difficulties from start to finish, and Gomez also had a "panic attack" before the show, according to E! News. Fortunately, Gomez seemed to be doing well later in the night, and, after hearing about the technical difficulties, fans have swarmed to her defense.
This is what happened with Selena Gomez #AMAs performance last night and Billboard confirmed it! https://t.co/a5dz32Azko— IVAN (@IVAN) 1574692538.0
2. Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello gave us more of the same
Heterosexual icons Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello are milking their "Señorita" success for all it's worth, and they brought the same recipe to the AMAs. Unfortunately, the repetition caused fans to actually listen to the song instead of being mesmerized by Cabello's hair and Mendes' biceps, which caused some confusion and doubts.
I just think the “senorita “ song would convey a deeper level of connection and trust if they agreed to both use vi… https://t.co/4str0gmp20— Natalie Walker (@Natalie Walker) 1574655577.0
In Hell, Señorita plays every fourth song on all the playlists.— Phillip Henry (@Phillip Henry) 1574648230.0
3. Lizzo's purse was the best part of the entire show
Lizzo's tiny purse made headlines in TIME magazine, CNN, Harper's Bazaar, Jezebel, Buzzfeed, and many other major news sources, many of which argued that the purse was "the best part of the entire show," so if anything, that ought to tell you something about the show. It also inspired a flurry of delicious memes.
Admittedly, the purse was pretty iconic. Maybe we can all resolve to belch extra-tiny amounts of fossil fuels into the atmosphere next.
I can’t believe Lizzo carried my self esteem on the AMA’s red carpet https://t.co/SfhMMTQ6MZ— Ben Yahr (@Ben Yahr) 1574638682.0
ummm why is lizzo carrying my will to live in her bag?? https://t.co/MhPmnm6TCD— louise (@louise) 1574638303.0
4. Taylor Swift "avoided controversy"
Taylor Swift won Artist of the Decade at the AMAs and, after asking the entire Internet for help and gaining sympathy and support from everyone from Elizabeth Warren to Cher, it turned out that she was able to triumph over adversity in order to perform her old hits. She also won all five of the awards she was nominated for and became the most awarded artist in the history of the AMAs.
Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift singing to each other at the #AMAs! https://t.co/H5XFHV8eIf— UNKNOWN (@UNKNOWN) 1574669980.0
5. Post Malone is adorable
Post Malone won the award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop album for Hollywood's Bleeding, but he also won the award for king of good vibes when the camera caught him dancing along to Shania Twain's medley.
Walk into your short work week with the same enthusiasm as Post Malone dancing to Shania Twain at the #AMAs. https://t.co/qLKauv0VY8— InStyle (@InStyle) 1574693659.0
All in all, Posty had a great night. He performed with Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott, and during his album acceptance speech, he solidified his place in awards show history with a peculiar closing line. Just as he was finishing up, he said, "We love you very much and I love grapes."
This sparked a flurry of speculation about the meaning of that cryptic phrase and also caused the Internet to conclude that Post Malone is someone who would be really fun to have a beer with. Maybe we should just elect Post Malone for president; after all, the mark of a great elected official is how fun they'd be to have a beer with. Right?
Post Malone's friend: I dare you to say "I love grapes" if you win this AMA. Post: Challenge accepted Post on stage… https://t.co/V7czCSzbJ0— Jingle Chelle (@Jingle Chelle) 1574649606.0
Post Malone ending his acceptance speech with “I love grapes” both has me confused but ... mood?— 🏹 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮, 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓾𝓷𝓷𝓪 💛 (@🏹 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮, 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓾𝓷𝓷𝓪 💛) 1574649382.0
Ain’t much on @PostMalone ‘s music but that dude seems like he’d be fun as hell to drink beer with.— Mr. Gorse (@Mr. Gorse) 1574650121.0
6. BTS won big, and the ARMY can sleep well tonight
The K-pop powerhouse group won all three of the categories they were nominated in, taking home the awards for Favorite Social Artist, Tour of the Year, and Favorite Duo or Group. Fans were ecstatic, especially since BTS has been slighted by awards shows (cough, the Grammys) in the past.
First ever Asian Act to win 'Tour of the Year' and 'Favorite Pop/Duo Group' at AMAs! Congratulations, @BTS_twt!!! F… https://t.co/WRWTdecIcW— Missing Jimin hours: OPEN ☹ (@Missing Jimin hours: OPEN ☹) 1574649154.0
BTS wins the @AMAs for tour of the year- no doubt because of this amazing fan base and shows like the Rose Bowl, Pa… https://t.co/9c7JpUpD44— Pete Wilgoren (@Pete Wilgoren) 1574650010.0
.@BTS_twt at 2019 American Music Awards 🔹3/3 noms won 🔹1st non-English speaking act to win Top Group Pop/Rock 🔹1st… https://t.co/WnoxPmuSTH— K-Charts and Translations (@K-Charts and Translations) 1574659805.0
7. Kesha, Green Day, and Shania Twain returned
The AMAs provided plenty of nostalgia to tug on the heartstrings of their older viewers. Kesha returned to blow everyone away with her hit "Tik Tok"; Green Day celebrated the 25th anniversary of the release of their album Dookie and reinvigorated emo with their performance; and Shania Twain blew everyone (most of all Post Malone) out of the water.9. Halsey threw shade at the Grammys
We all know that the AMAs are just a somehow more watered-down Grammys, and Halsey reminded us that though she won the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Song for her smash hit "Without Me," she's bitter over her Grammys snub and disillusioned with the trappings of fame and awards on the whole.
HALSEY REALLY THROW SHADE AT THE GRAMMYS FOR SNUBBING HER, BTS AND FOR OTHER ARTISTS WHOS ALSO NOT NOMINATED. WE ST… https://t.co/rnKJOG4CKB— 🌙Mochi🐥 (@🌙Mochi🐥) 1574668870.0
In spite of her speech, most people were impressed with her performance.
Halsey gave an amazing performance of “Graveyard” at tonight’s #AMAs. https://t.co/VNBw1qx2b3— The Pop Hub (@The Pop Hub) 1574648828.0
8.Lil Nas X made everyone emotional
Despite being 20 years old and set for life thanks to the success of his very first single, the wunderkind (clad in an instantly iconic neon green suit) reminded everyone that it's never too late to shine.
“Whether you’re like 15, 30, 55 or whatever and you feel like your moment has passed, to know that, it’s waiting fo… https://t.co/ubSQtot1MW— Power 106 (@Power 106) 1574658241.0
please stop saying i look like a jojo character https://t.co/Jz9S1m84zB— nope (@nope) 1574650001.0
9. Ciara and Megan Thee Stallion invented knees
Ciara hosted, performed her new single "Melanin," rocked every one of her looks, received her first platinum plaque as a music label owner, twerked with Megan Thee Stallion (who also delivered some priceless moments), and cemented her place as an eternal star and a person entirely immune to the passage of time.
I can’t believe this JUST happened!! Performed with my bestie @ciara at the F#%CKING AMA’s‼️representing all the Me… https://t.co/LRTYV1kPTa— LA LA (@LA LA) 1574647109.0
Best performances so far at the #AMAs: 1. Ciara 2. Audience cheering 3. Toilet flush in the backstage 4. Selena Gomez— ARIANA SHADY FACTS (@ARIANA SHADY FACTS) 1574644164.0
megan and ciara invented knees. https://t.co/FiSTJhrCaE— Lord Thotquad 🤴🏾 (@Lord Thotquad 🤴🏾) 1574529709.0
.@theestallion is back with a new freestyle! 😤😤|| 🎥@theestallion https://t.co/khnCfiv8Ug— BET Music (@BET Music) 1574699902.0
10. Billie Eilish is really scary and very talented—but she's not alt-rock
billie eilish and post malone hugging at the #AMAs tonight 🥺 https://t.co/ELuf8bdC0R— billie (@billie) 1574650010.0
I don't think I'm alone in saying Billie Eilish is the embodiment of everything that terrifies and amazes me about Gen Z teen girls. During her first awards show performance, she literally lit the stage on fire.
Despite her talent, viewers were quick to criticize the category she won in (alt-rock).
I DO NOT CARE IF YOU LIKE BILLIE EILISH OR NOT SHE IS A PRETTY COOL ARTIST BUT SHE DIS NOT. DESERVE. THE ALT ROCK.… https://t.co/Yhf5wc8MEK— denise🇭🇰 (@denise🇭🇰) 1574651184.0
Then again, music is perpetually changing, genre is just about as real as gender (which is to say it's not real and was created by capitalism), and all of us old folk who don't understand how Billie Eilish won for alt-rock will be dead soon or relegated to the dusty attics of "Ok Boomer" land soon enough anyway.
Say what you will about Billie Eilish but she absolutely belonged in the alt rock category last night. Imagine how… https://t.co/QCcUiEw2kh— Tessa Cates (@Tessa Cates) 1574698409.0
11. We're all going to be telling our kids about this someday
Apparently nobody's sticking to their vow not to have kids until we stop the climate crisis, because almost every performance in the AMAs become the subject of a "gonna tell my kids" meme. Poor kids.
gonna tell my kids this was billie eilish https://t.co/zn36TG9iPR— william😗 (@william😗) 1574698996.0
i’m gonna tell my kids this was @halsey https://t.co/lI7Xth3dnR— borthdoi boi (@borthdoi boi) 1574682183.0
gonna tell my kids god is a woman and her name is selena gomez #AMAs https://t.co/K47I1Lb6I0— moon kike 🤠 (@moon kike 🤠) 1574651420.0
i’m gonna tell my kids these are the charlie’s angels https://t.co/bgrpIEToHs— tyler (@tyler) 1574657827.0
Gonna tell my kid that Twitter is filled with a bunch of unoriginal copy cats that blindly follow trends like sheep. #Betterthanyou— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️) 1574623850.0
Im gonna tell my kids this is Hailey baldwig #AMAs https://t.co/ah9SYziW66— mel (@mel) 1574640233.0
Gonna tell my kids this was the queen. #amas @lizzo https://t.co/cdv2K8Nv9J— Us Weekly (@Us Weekly) 1574639139.0
Gonna tell my kids this was AMAs https://t.co/m3quCRDxAL— A Potato (@A Potato) 1574303958.0
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