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 "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA," sang Green Day,
performing their controversial anti-gun violence single "Bang
Bang" on the live show and re-writing some of the lyrics.
It was the most overt reference to the Nov.8 U.S. presidential
elections at the three-hour awards show where the focus was
otherwise mostly on music.
Pop singer Selena Gomez, 24, who surprised fans by making her
first major public appearance since cutting short her world tour
in August to deal with panic attacks and depression, won the
best pop/rock female artist award.
In an emotional speech, Gomez thanked her fans for their loyalty
and explained why she felt the need to take a break.
"Most of you know a lot of my life whether I like it or not. I
had to stop. I had everything, but I was absolutely broken,"
said Gomez, who is also known for her on and off again romance
with Justin Bieber for the past five years.
The American Music Awards are chosen by fans voting online.
Drake, 30, who got a leading 13 nominations, won best
rap/hip-hop artist, song and album for his best-selling "Views",
which earlier this year became the first album to earn one
billion streams on Apple Music.
"For our genre, I like to keep things exciting and keep making
music... more like this is coming soon," Drake said, accepting
the award.
But pop singer Grande, 23, was chosen artist of the year,
beating Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Gomez.
"I can't believe this. I am shaking with nerves," she said. "I
hope that I can bring joy to you and make you feel unified and
happy."
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Former One Direction member Zayn Malik, who quit British boy band
One Direction last year to launch a solo career, bested Canadian
Shawn Mendes to take the best new artist trophy.
"It's been a crazy year... I didn't expect anyone to still vote for
me," said Zayn, who now uses only his first name.
British singer Sting, who last week released his first pop/rock
album in a decade, "57th and 9th," sang a medley of his hits and was
presented with an honorary award recognizing his contribution to the
music industry.
Sting said he owed a debt to American rock and roll, adding "While I
may be an Englishman in New York, my musical soul is all American."
Bieber performed "Never Give Up" via satellite from a concert in
Italy and won awards for best pop/rock male artist, album, song and
video.
Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd, Niall Horan,
James Bay and John Legend were among the dozens of other performers
on the Los Angeles stage.
The American Music Awards were created in 1973 as an alternative to
the Grammys.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Sandra Maler & Simon
Cameron-Moore)
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