Taylor Swift a 'Man Eater' at AMAs

Breakthrough newcomer Iggy Azalea beat out Eminem, Drake
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 24, 2014 1:03 AM CST
Updated Nov 24, 2014 1:53 AM CST
Taylor Swift a 'Man Eater' at AMAs
Taylor Swift performs on stage at the 42nd annual American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Los Angeles.   (Photo by Matt SaylesInvision/AP)

Taylor Swift kicked off the American Music Awards as a mad woman and man eater by feeding a boy a poisonous apple, holding burning roses, and giving crazy eyes during a performance of her song about her dating life. She was aggressive, grabbing her male dancers by their blazers when performing her new No. 1 hit, "Blank Space." She later received the first-ever Dick Clark Award for Excellence, presented by Diana Ross. "To the fans who went out and bought over a million copies of my last three albums, what you did by going out and investing in music and albums is you're saying you believe in the same thing I believe in—that music is valuable and that music should be consumed in albums and albums should be consumed as art and appreciated," she said. More highlights:

  • One Direction won three honors, including artist of the year over powerhouse acts like Beyonce and Luke Bryan. The boy band also won favorite band, duo, or group—pop/rock,as well as favorite album—pop/rock for Midnight Memories at the fan-voted show.
  • Breakthrough newcomer Iggy Azalea beat out heavyweights Eminem and Drake in the rap categories. Azalea won favorite album—rap/hip-hop for The New Classic and favorite artist—rap/hip-hop.
  • Katy Perry, who was absent from the award show because of her world tour, matched One Direction for most wins with three.
  • Sam Smith, who also performed "I'm Not the Only One" with A$AP Rocky, won favorite male artist—pop/rock. "Last year I wrote an album about being lonely and tonight, I couldn't feel further from lonely, so thank you so much," he told the crowd.
  • Imagine Dragons, who won favorite artist—alternative rock for a second time performed their new folky single, "I Bet My Life."
  • Australian boy band 5 Seconds of Summer won new artist of the year, beating out Azalea, Smith, Meghan Trainor, and Bastille.
(More American Music Awards stories.)

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