American Music Awards 2014 recap: One Direction and Taylor Swift sweep the board

One Direction, Taylor Swift and 5 Seconds of Summer are among the pop favourites who will perform at tonight's music bash




The American Music Awards 2014 weren't as raucous as the VMAs or even the EMAs but with several pop heavyweights taking the stage, it was still a solid effort before next year's BRIT Awards and Grammys.

One Direction took home three awards including Artist of the Year - beating the likes of Beyonce and Katy Perry in the process. The British band performed their new track Night Changes and also collected the awards for Best Pop/Rock Album for Midnight Memories and Best Pop/Rock Group.

Katy Perry won Best Pop/Rock Female Artist and newcomer Sam Smith represented the Brits even further by winning Best Male.

Taylor Swift opened the show with a raunchy performance of her new song Blank Space - the first time she's done it live - and was honoured with a special recognition prize, the Dick Clark Award for Excellence, which was presented to her by Diana Ross.

Relive all the news and gossip as it happened below.


It's time for one of the biggest nights in pop (Grammys and VMAs not withstanding) - the American Music Awards. Hurrah!

The stars are out at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles for tonight's music extravaganza and the event promises some MASSIVE performances including Taylor Swift's first live performance of Blank Space.

Other performers include One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, Iggy Azalea, Jennifer Lopez and Nicki Minaj.

The event is being hosted by rapper Pitbull.


PA
Pitbull performs at the Barclaycard Wireless Festival 2012 at Hyde Park
12:23 am
One Direction have arrived!

One Direction arrived moments ago to mass hysteria from the crowd in LA.

The Brit five-piece looked extremely dapper as they walked the red carpet.

1D are set to perform their new song Night Changes, we can't wait!
One Direction - Night Changes New Video mirrordigital

No new Boy is Mine

Jessie J has DENIED that she and Ariana Grande will be remaking Brandy and Monica's classic R&B tune The Boy is Mine on the AMAs red carpet.

She told pre-show host Lance Bass: "No, it's not true, neither of us have agreed. It's lies. Sadly people are believing it.

"I spoke to Brandy and i was like, no, it's not happening. Monica and Brandy are the best, they know the boy is [theirs]."

At least we'll have Bang Bang...
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Singer Jessie J attends the 2014 American Music Awards

Kardashians strike a pose

It wouldn't be an awards show without a Kardashian or three.

Khloe, Kendall and Kylie are on the red carpet tonight.

Kendall looks amazing!
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Rita Ora's in the house!

Rita Ora tells red carpet host Lance Bass she's just flown in from Abu Dhabi and did her hair in the car.

She says she's got a new song, Testosterone, out in a week or so.

Just in time for The Voice UK then!
Rex
Rita Ora

One Direction win!

One Direction win the first award of the evening for Favourite Pop/Rock Band.

Liam thanks Simon Cowell.

Louis thanks all the fans. "America's been so incredible to us!"

"They're not even American but 1D get a HUGE cheer when it's announced they have won best pop/rock band," says Mirror LA editor Katie Hind.

We love Charli XCX!

Charli XCX performing her hit song Boom Clap and new track Break the Rules.

It's all very glam rock meets pop.

Oh dear, Charli's smashing things on stage. *Runs away*

Magic! meets Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean and Magic! are performing Rude together. Well, that's one collab we wouldn't put together.

But it oddly works?

Ooh, is that Iggy Azalea looking completely uninterested? In the words of the band, why you gotta be so ruuuude.
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Musician Wyclef Jean attends the 2014 American Music Awards

Kendall is loving Magic!

Kendall Jenner spotted in the crowd dancing along to Magic!'s Rude. She's loving it.

Um, when are we going to hand out some more awards please?!
1:30 am
Taylor Swift started the show with a bang

While we were having technical difficulties *cough* Taylor Swift kicked off the AMAs 2014 with a wild performance of her new track Blank Space.

Actually gutted we missed it. :(

# Darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream #
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Recording artist Taylor Swift performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards

Iggy wins her first award EVER

Iggy Azalea has just won Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album.

She says it's the first award she's ever won.

The Black Widow hitmaker says hip-hop has inspired her to move to America and pursue her dream. She thanks T.I. for believing in her.

So Iggy will be PARTYING tonight, right?!
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Rapper Iggy Azalea onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards

5SOS alert!

Here come 5SOS with a performance of their new song What I Like About You.

Hmm, time for a tea break perhaps.

Not sure about this screeching.
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Musicians Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin of 5 Seconds of Summer attend the 2014 American Music Awards

Still to come

So much still ahead on the AMAs!

We're so excited for...
Taylor Swift receiving the first ever Dick Clark Award for Excellence
One Direction performing Night Changes
J.Lo and Iggy Azalea performing Booty
Ariana Grande gracing us with her presence

One Direction thank Simon Cowell as they win award

Per Mirror LA Editor Katie Hind:

1D dedicated their first award of the night to boss Simon Cowell. Liam Payne said: “It's down to me to talk. It has been a real perfect day for us, today our album went to number one in the UK and now we are are here.

“I want to say a thank you to Simon Cowell, who put us here."
1:53 am
Go Sam Smith!

The Brits are taking over the American Music Awards.

Hot on the heels of One Direction winning Best Pop/Rock Band, Sam Smith has won Best Pop/Rock Male Artist.

Aw, we love how humble he is!

J.Lo looks HOT!

She'll be performing her new song Booty with Iggy Azalea later, but J.Lo looks like a total bae (yes, I used the word bae, so what?) as she watched the show from the crowd.

The 45-year-old took what has to be one of the most beautiful selfies ever for the AMAs Twitter account.
1:56 am
Sam Smith giving it some welly

Time for a stunning vocal performance for Sam Smith.

He's singing Not the Only One and his voice is like melting butter.

So. Good.

Is that A$AP Rocky?!

Well, we certainly never expected THAT on a Sam Smith song.

Rapper A$AP Rocky comes out on stage and performs a rap over his song.

Oddly it works. But let's hope Sam's not going all hip-hop on us now...

Time to get Fancy!

And as soon as one performance is over, it's time for another - this time Iggy Azalea performing Fancy.

Yesss, we love Iggy in her suit and tie for a presidential performance.

Not going to lie, dancing in my seat a little...

Beg For It

Iggy segues from Fancy to her new track, Beg For It.

Not quite as catchy as Fancy but the audience is loving it.

Can Nicki Minaj top that in her performance later?
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Recording artist Iggy Azalea performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards

Oh Lorde

Definitely time for a tea break as Lorde takes the stage.

She's performing the Hunger Games: Mockingjay soundtrack single, Yellow Flicker Beat.

It's 2.15am, Lorde, we're trying really hard to stay awake - and you're not helping.

Taylor is loving Lorde

Taylor Swift is in the crowd rocking out to her pal Lorde's performance.

Now that's a good friend.

Lorde is thrashing her hair around like she's having some sort of fit. Someone ought to check she's OK...

It's our girl Ariana!

Yes, this is more like it... Ariana Grande on stage now for a medley of recent hits.

She kicks off with a soulful jazz version of Problem. Different but we like it.

She looks STUNNING too!

Love us harder, Ariana!

Ariana now joined by The Weeknd to perform her new track, Love Me Harder.

What an absolute tune!

Oh my, just noticed how sheer and saucy her dress is. Thankfully she's covered in all the right places (we hope).

Ariana hits those high notes

Ariana's caught the holy ghost of Mariah as she hits those high notes effortlessly.

I'm not sure how she's managed to walk across the stage in that massive draping dress, but that was a solid performance nonetheless.

#TeamAriana
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Recording artist Ariana Grande performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards

One Direction win another one

One Direction take home another album for Pop/Rock Album for Midnight Memories.

Awkwardly they're playing a song that's NOT actually from that album but we'll let that slide...

Harry grabs the award this time and says, "We had a lot of fun making the album. A massive thanks to everyone who bought it or listened to it."

Niall adds, "Thank you so much to our beautiful fans."

What is Zayn doing?

And in a rare unflattering picture of Zayn Malik, the official AMAs Twitter account has caught the 1D heartthrob looking rather odd.

This pic was apparently taken just moments before the band won their second award of the evening.

Louis looks very amused.

Oh no, Pitbull...

OK, so not content with hosting tonight's awards, Pitbull is now performing.

This will be sure to have lots of booty-shaking female dancers...

Because, you know, it's Pitbull.

Ne-Yo, don't encourage

Ne-Yo has popped up on stage to perform with Pitbull.

Just stop it, Ne-Yo. Don't encourage him.

Now that's over Pitbull can go back to hosting.

Katy Perry wins!

Katy Perry has won Best Pop/Rock Female Artist but she's not at the awards.

The singer sends a video message from Down Under in Australia thanking her fans.

She ends with: "Have one on me." Have one what, Katy?!
Katy takes to the stage

Selena Gomez performing - is it about Bieber?

Selena Gomez is on stage performing her new song The Heart Wants What It Wants.

It starts with a heartbroken voicemail from the pop babe.

Hmm, could this song be about Justin Bieber?

Not quite as catchy as Come and Get It, is it?
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Recording artist/actress Selena Gomez performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards

This is getting depressing

Is Selena crying?!

It's all just got a bit dreary as she performs her new ballad.

Right. Where's Rihanna and some UPBEAT pop when we need it.

New Artist of the Year is...

It's 5 Seconds of Summer!

The Aussie band beat Sam Smith and Lorde to win the New Artist prize, which was voted for by the fans.

We'd have voted Bastille personally. Oops, did I just say that?
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Musicians Michael Clifford, Ashton Irwin, Luke Hemmings and Calum Hood of 5 Seconds of Summer perform onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards

Time for a 1D performance

Moody Zayn kicks off 1D's performance of their new song Night Changes. The girls in the audience are actually screaming.

OK, this song is actually a bit catchy. I admit it.

What is with Louis' Elvis hair though?!
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Recording artist Zayn Malik of One Direction performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards

Lil Wayne time

From the pop stylings of One Direction to a bit of rap... it's Lil Wayne.

And he's joined by his rumoured new girlfriend Christina Milian.

WHAT IS SHE ACTUALLY WEARING.

Another musical performance

We're getting wall-to-wall performances now. Nicki Minaj is on the stage now looking unusually covered up tonight.

Where's the anaconda, Nicki?!

We want some booty shaking girl.

Taylor Swift gives good Taylor Swift

Even Taylor Swift is just like 'WTF?' at Pitbull hosting the AMAs.

Watch her adorably awkward reaction to tonight's host appearing in front of her:


Who's your fave performance so far?

Tell us your favourite performance so far in the poll below.

Note: we've only listed six performers because, well, just 'cos I can.

Taylor wins a special award

Taylor Swift is being presented with the special Dark Clark Award for Excellence by legendary singer Diana Ross.

Taylor makes sure she gives all her pals - Selena Gomez, Lorde and Sam Smith - a big kiss and a hug before she goes up on stage.

The singer's looking very Poison Ivy in a green dress tonight.

Taylor really doesn't like Spotify

Taylor's speech seems to take a dig at her recent drama with Spotify, she thanks her fans for supporting her album and buying it.

She says it's an investment in art.

OK, we get it girl, streaming bad, buying full price good.
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Honoree Taylor Swift accepts the Dick Clark Award for Excellence onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards
3:20 am
Fergie's comeback

Fergie is performing solo for the first time in nearly six years with her comeback single LA Love.

Um, maybe she'd be better off back with the Black Eyed Peas.

This song is a big snoozefest. SOZ FERGS.
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Recording artist Fergie performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards
3:30 am
Country stuff is happening

The AMAs have turned all country now with a performance from Garth Brooks.

OK, definitely time for a coffee break.

Half an hour to go! We're in the homestretch people.

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige is on stage now performing one of her new tracks, it's a bit... boring?

Come on Mary, belt it OUT!

Where's No More Drama Mary?

Taylor Swift ups the raunch factor

The usually well-behaved and demure Taylor Swift ramped things up somewhat when she sabotaged nearly every male dancer on stage.

Performing her new hit Blank Space for the very first time, she even gave the crowd at Hollywood's Nokia Theater a glimpse of her thigh when she pulled her long frock up .

And talking of dresses, one wasn't enough for Taylor, 24. She had a second one on underneath during her brilliant performance.

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Recording artist Taylor Swift performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards

Bang Bang into the room

It's time for a trio of hot pop divas performing Bang Bang!

Did Khloe Kardashian just slap Jessie J's bum?! She clearly wants to get in on this performance.

Jessie performs in the crowd and is now working it up against Taylor Swift. Even the usually sour-faced Lorde is dancing along.

The power of Bang Bang, folks.

A golden performance

Nicki, Ariana and Jessie are all clad in gold outfits and they look incredible!

This is definitely one of the better performances of the night.

Yes, girls, get everyone up on their feet!
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Recording artists Jessie J, Nicki Minaj, and Ariana Grande perform onstage

And the Artist of the Year is...
One Direction!

The Brit band pick up their third award of the evening - and the night's biggest prize.

They previously won Best Pop/Rock Band and Best Pop/Rock Group.

"I can't believe we've won three, it's amazing, it's so cool," says Liam.

Big big Booty!

It's time for the final performance of the evening - J.Lo and Iggy shaking their bums as they perform their hit song Booty.

Oh god, let's hope there's no wardrobe malfunctions in this routine.

J.Lo looks amazing

J.Lo is strutting her stuff like only she can in a PLUNGING red bathing suit and red blazer.

Only J.Lo can make this work.

She's giving those young pop divas a run for their money...
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Recording artist Jennifer Lopez performs onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards
4:02 am
That's a wrap on the AMAs!

Three hours of pop performances later, that's a wrap on this year's American Music Awards.

One Direction were the big winners this evening, taking home three prizes including Artist of the Year.

J.Lo, Jessie J and Taylor Swift had some of the best performances of the evening and there were some bizarre ones too, namely Pitbull and Lil Wayne.

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