The 2016 American Music Awards take place on Sunday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Check out the live stream below!
The AMAs date back to 1973, and were created by Dick Clark to rival the Grammy Awards. This marks the 44th annual show, and there’s a big difference between the two star star-studded, music-themed events. While Grammys are awarded by the Recording Academy, winners for the AMAs are chosen by fans.
Overseeing this year’s event are Gigi Hadid and Jay Pharoah, who are co-hosting the ceremony for the first time. They follow in the footsteps of Jennifer Lopez (2015) and Pitbull (2014, 2013). Interestingly, neither is known for music, but Hadid and Pharoah will of course be joined by some of the biggest names in the industry.
That includes Sting, who will receive the American Music Award of Merit. He’s also among the night’s performers, in addition to Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, John Legend, Halsey, Lady Gaga, Green Day and more. Bruno Mars has confirmed he has the coveted responsibility of opening the live show.
Presenters include Ryan Seacrest, Ciara, Robert Downey Jr., Karlie Koss, and more than a dozen other stars. The ceremony will begin on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern, following the two-hour, online-only pre-show. Gossip Cop will have coverage all night, so stay tuned!