Simulated Sex, Snubs & Storming Out! AMA's Most Shocking Moments Exposed
Nov. 24 2019, Updated 9:15 p.m. ET
The hottest singers will attend the American Music Awards this Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. This year's ceremony could be the most controversial ever as Taylor Swift is feuding with her former record label over her upcoming AMA performance -- and in what's sure to be an awkward encounter, both Justin Bieber and his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez will sing separately on stage. As RadarOnline.com readers know, Swift claimed that her former label Big Machine, controlled by Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta, has prohibited her from performing any of her classic hits during this year's AMAs.
“It’s been announced recently that the American Music Awards will be honoring me with the Artist of the Decade Award at this year’s ceremony. I’ve been planning to perform a medley of my hits throughout the decade on the show,” Swift wrote via her Instagram Story on Thursday, November 14.
“Scott Borchetta and Scooter Braun have now said that I’m not allowed to perform my old songs on television because they claim that would be re-recording my music before I’m allowed to next year.” Although Big Machine Label Group made a statement this week that the company and Dick Clark Productions had reached an agreement that would allow Swift to perform a medley of her old hits on the show, Dick Clark Productions has denied that.
A statement read, "At no time did Dick Clark Productions agree to, create, authorize or distribute a statement in partnership with Big Machine Label Group regarding Taylor Swift's performance at the 2019 American Music Awards. Any final agreement on this matter needs to be made directly with Taylor Swift's management team. We have no further comment." With the ultimate outcome of Swift's dispute still in doubt, what is clear is that ex-lovers Bieber and Gomez will come face-to-face for the first time since their bitter 2018 breakup. Bieber went on to marry Hailey Baldwin. Past AMA shows have offered tons of drama, including Kanye West storming out after he lost an award to country star Gretchen Wilson, Pink scowling at a Christina Aguilera performance, and Adam Lambert simulating sex during a song.
Scroll through RadarOnline.com's gallery for more on what's previously gone down at the awards ceremony celebrating American music.
Biggest Star Stage
Viewers were overwhelmed when nearly 40 artists took the stage at the 1986 AMAs to sing the mega charity hit for Africa, "We Are The World." Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, and other huge names chimed in.
Trophy Snub!
At the 1996 AMAs, country superstar Garth Brooks was named Artist of the Year but said at the podium, “So you’ll know right off the bat, I cannot agree with this.” He left the crystal pyramid award behind. Backstage, Brooks explained, "I've been around the country talking to retailers ... and every one of them credits Hootie & the Blowfish for keeping them alive in 1995 and I couldn't agree more. So I thought that's who should've won."
First Controversy
In his pre-"Jesus Is King" days, Kanye West was famous for dissing Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards. But previously, at the 2004 AMAs, the then-up-and coming rapper was outraged at losing to country singer Gretchen Wilson. West stormed out after the winner was announced and later arrogantly declared to The Associated Press, "I was definitely robbed. I was the best new artist this year."
Feeling Blue
In a fashion police moment that will go down in AMAs history, Britney Spears and then-beau Justin Timberlake wore matching all-denim outfits on the 2001 red carpet! The young A-List singers broke up the following year.
We Will Rock You
At the 2009 AMAs, American Idol runner up Adam Lambert simulated oral sex with a back-up dancer, passionately kissed a male keyboard player and gestured to the audience with his middle finger. It was all part of his performance of the song "For Your Entertainment." Lambert, who's gone on to perform with Queen, said afterwards, "My goal was not to piss people off, it was to promote freedom of expression."
Raw Emotion
The 2014 AMAs featured Selena Gomez performing her song "The Heart Wants What I Wants" near the end of her relationship with Justin Bieber (the on-again, off-again pair later reconciled, only to split up for good). Gomez appeared distraught during the performance, took a deep breath and mouthed the words, “Thank you, Jesus,” during a chorus. Will she be able to avoid Bieber at the 2019 AMAs?
Odd Appearance
At the 2004 show, the late Anna Nicole Smith introduced Kanye West, slurring her speech and saying things like "Do you like my body?" The erratic blonde bombshell finally yelled, "Make some noise for my boy, Kanye West." She died in 2007 of a prescription drug overdose.
All About That Kiss
In 2015, singers Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth belted out their hit duet “Marvin Gaye” at the AMAs, and then had an awkward onstage makeout session viewers thought would never end. The move was blasted as a publicity stunt. The "All About That Bass" beauty went on to marry Daryl Sabara last year.
Crazy Stage
After shocking the world with her twerking at the 2013 VMAs, Miley Cyrus closed out the 2013 American Music Awards by performing "Wrecking Ball" in a tight two-piece cat-print outfit with an image of a giant kitten behind her.
MIA Winner
In 2003, Eminem didn't show up for the AMAs. His "8 Mile" co-star Mekhi Phifer accepted the favorite hip-hop/R&B artist award for him and called the rap singer on his phone for an impromptu acceptance speech. "Hey y'all, this is Eminem on the phone," he told the crowd.
Rehab Comeback
During the 2016 AMAs, Selena Gomez won the favorite female pop/rock artist prize in her first public appearance since taking a break from her career to get treatment for mental health issues. In her heart-rending acceptance speech, Gomez said, "I think it's safe to say that all of you know my life whether I like it or not. I had to stop because I had everything and I was absolutely broken inside….All I can say from the bottom of my heart is I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be able to share what I love every single day with people that I love."
Lost Love
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs startled the crowd in 2015 at the AMAs show by saying onstage about a famous ex-girlfriend, "Give it up for Jennifer Lopez." The two had a tumultuous relationship from 1999-2001.
Catharsis
In 2015, Gwen Stefani gave an emotional AMAs performance of the song "I Used to Love You," after her divorce drama from ex-husband Gavin Rossdale. She's Blake Shelton's gal now!
Pink Causes Stink
In 2017, Pink was seen making a sour face as Christina Aguilera performed a tribute to Whitney Houston at the AMAs. But Pink later denied she'd thrown shade on her fellow singer, tweeting, “Christina f***g killed it tonight for one of our favorite singers ever. This is about Whitney, and I am in awe of Christina’s talent." But a source told RadarOnline.com at the time, “Pink knew that the cameras were on her during Christina’s performance and the shade was undeniable.”
Groped
It was before the #MeToo movement, but viewers of the 2012 AMAs were shocked when presenter Jenny McCarthy, then 40, kissed Justin Bieber, then 18, on the neck. “Wow. I feel violated right now,” the teen idol laughed on stage. McCarthy admitted afterwards, “I did grab his butt. I couldn’t help it. He was just so delicious. So little. I wanted to tear his head off and eat it.”
Racial Scandal
Haters bashed Katy Perry for cultural appropriation after she performed her song "Unconditionally" at the 2013 American Music Awards while dressed as a geisha. Perry later explained, “I didn’t know that I did it wrong until I heard people saying that I did it wrong. It takes someone to say, out of compassion, out of love, ‘Hey, this is what the origin is.'”