The third annual iHeartRadio Music Awards was a night of bright lights and big lungs. The night honored musicians at the top of the charts at The Forum in Los Angeles. Despite its newness, the star-studded guest list included Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake who entertained fans with numerous performances and dedications.
The awards show was hosted by Jason Derulo who began the night with a crowd surf before lip-syncing and dancing to a medley of the year’s biggest hits.
The first award of the night went to Swift for Female Artist of the Year. In Swift’s speech, she thanked the women in her life who shaped her album and the young women in the crowd who voted for her.
Swift went on to win Best Tour. Justin Timberlake presented a video montage of her popular 1989 World Tour and told fans that Taylor doesn’t aim to build walls (referencing politics) but rather break them. She also won Album of the Year, which was presented by her friend Selena Gomez. Swift thanked her parents for telling her that she was different and could do anything with her life, and she encouraged other parents to do the same.
Other award winners included Chris Brown as R&B Artist of the Year; Selena Gomez as Biggest Triple Threat for singing, acting and dancing; Calvin Harris for Dance Artist of the Year; Adele’s “Hello” for Song of the Year; and Justin Bieber, Skrillex and Diplo’s “What Do U Mean” for Dance Song of the Year.
The event was full of performances, such as an acoustic performance of “Love Yourself” by Bieber in which he sang with only a microphone, displaying his vocal range and raw talent. Another Scooter Braun artist, Meghan Trainor, also performed her new hit track “No” dressed and lighted in red, showing her undeniable star power.
Other performances included Zayn with his song “PILLOWTALK” for the first time at an awards show, Demi Lovato and Brad Paisley in a countrified version of her song “Stone Cold” and the new band DNCE with their song “Cake by the Ocean.”
The awards show paid tribute to the tracks that we blast from our radios, dance sporadically to and belt out endlessly in hopes that we, too, can be the next iHeartRadio Music Awards winners.