The 2014 American Music Awards (AMAs), a night filled with performances and single debuts, took place on November 23rd at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. ABC’s contract to present the Grammys expired in 1973, which prompted Dick Clark to create the AMA’s. The 42nd live broadcast of the AMA’s was hosted by Miami native, Pitbull, also known as “Mr. Worldwide.”  The AMA’s pay tribute to the year’s  most influential and iconic artists. Nominations are based on artists’ popularity as collected by Billboard Magazine and Billboard.com. To determine winners, viewers casted votes via twitter with the hashtag #AMAs. Starting off the night, Taylor Swift received the first ever “Dick Clark Award for Excellence,” which honors an artist who achieves a groundbreaking feat or creates a landmark. Taylor opened the show with the television launch of her new single “Blank Space.” Other artists were awarded with the following honors:

 

Artist of the Year

One Direction

New Artist of the Year

5 Seconds of Summer

Favorite Latin Artist

Enrique Iglesias

Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist

Sam Smith

Favorite Pop/Rock Album

One Direction, Midnight Memories

Single of the Year

Katy Perry feat. Juicy J, Dark Horse

Favorite Country Album

Brantley Gilbert, Just as I Am

Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist

Katy Perry

Favorite Country Female Artist

Carrie Underwood

Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album

Iggy Azalea, The New Classic

Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group

Florida Georgia Line

Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist

Katy Perry

Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group

One Direction

Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist

Beyonce

Favorite Country Male Artist

Luke Bryan

Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist

Iggy Azalea

Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist

John Legend

Favorite Soundtrack

Frozen

Favorite Soul/R&B Album

Beyonce

Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist

Casting Crowns

Favorite Electronic Dance Music Artist

Calvin Harris

Favorite Alternative Artist

Imagine Dragons