LOS ANGELES — One Direction might have debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts behind Justin Bieber, but they won the top award at Sunday’s American Music Awards.
“This is a testament to how incredible our fans are,” Louis Tomlinson said onstage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
“We just want to thank everyone that’s helped us in the last five years,” Liam Payne added.
The band won the top award at last year’s show — as a quintet with Zayn Malik. They also won favorite duo or group — pop/rock Sunday night.
Bieber, who won best collaboration with Diplo and Skrillex, closed the night with a medley of his hits, including “Sorry,” “Where Are U Now” and “What Do You Mean.” Purple laser lights beamed from the stage as the singer danced and sang for the loud audience. He ended it drenched after standing under a waterfall.
Billboard announced Sunday his new album, “Purpose,” will debut at No. 1 on its charts Monday after selling 649,000 equivalent albums. It beat out One Direction’s “Made In the A.M.,” which sold 459,000 equivalent albums.
Bieber’s performance wasn’t the only well-received one: Celine Dion paid tribute to the victims of the recent Paris attacks by singing Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à L’Amour” in French as some audience members cried.
Jared Leto, who introduced Dion, said his band 30 Seconds to Mars recently performed at the Bataclan, the Paris concert hall where 89 people were killed in the Nov. 13 attack.
Dion earned a rousing applause after her performance, which started with the Eiffel Tower projected behind her.
The Weeknd’s performance was also a favorite, and he walked away with two awards, and presented the first one from Prince.
“Make some noise for Prince, ladies and gentlemen,” the singer said after picking up favorite album — soul/R&B for “Beauty Behind the Madness.”
Nicki Minaj was also a double winner, taking home favorite artist and album — rap/hip-hop.
Other girls at the awards show encouraged their peers: Zendaya and Hailee Steinfeld danced excited as Selena Gomez performed onstage; Fifth Harmony and Rebel Wilson sang as Demi Lovato was in strong form with “Confident“; and Gomez sang as Grande performed “Focus” in a shimmery number.
Bryan beat out Jason Aldean and Sam Hunt, who won new artist of the year.
Host Jennifer Lopez kicked off the AMAs in a dance routine that highlighted some of the year’s biggest hits like “Where Are U Now,” “Anaconda,” “Uptown Funk!” and “Hotline Bling.” She also impressively sang in almost a cappella form.
Taylor Swift, who is out of the country shooting a music video, was the top nominee with six. She won song of the year for “Blank Space,” favorite album — pop/rock for “1989” and favorite artist — adult contemporary. — AP
