Hosted by Cardi B, the 2021 American Music Awards (AMAs) aired on Philippine TV last Monday, November 22 at 9 in the morning. The AMAs is the world’s largest fan-voted awards show that takes place annually. This time, the event was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

This year’s AMAs is particularly memorable as it marks the first time an Asian act won the Artist of the Year award at the AMAs.

Undeniably, Korean boy group BTS is the night’s big winner after bagging all three awards they were nominated for. Besides the coveted Artist of the Year award, this includes: Favorite Pop Song with their single “Butter” and Favorite Pop Duo/Group which they have won for three consecutive years now.

The group also performed twice. They took the stage with “Butter” as well as “My Universe” along with their collaborator, Coldplay.

Taylor Swift, who recently released Red (Taylor’s Version), was not in attendance that night but still managed to break her own records after winning Favorite Female Pop Artist for yet another year and Favorite Pop Album for evermore. Taylor Swift currently holds the record for artist with the most AMA awards (34). Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran was the one who snatched the Favorite Male Pop Artist award.

Also taking the stage with her hit song “Traitor” was 2021’s breakout artist Olivia Rodrigo. The Filipino-American singer-songwriter won the New Artist of the Year award.

Artists who also performed include Giveon, Jennifer Lopez, Måneskin, Silk Sonic, and Tyler, the Creator.

Winning Collaboration of the Year was Doja Cat and SZA’s “Kiss Me More” while the Favorite Trending Song was Megan Thee Stallion’s “Body”. As for Favorite Music Video, Lil Nas X’s highly talked about music video for “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” won.