The 5 Most Talked-About Moments From the 2017 American Music Awards

Naledi Ushe November 20, 2017, 1:30 pm

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ABC/Image Group LA) DIANA ROSS

The “2017 American Music Awards,” the world’s biggest fan-voted award show, broadcasts live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on ABC.

Sunday’s 2017 American Music Awards ceremony had one major theme: iconic. From the musical tributes to some big fashion risks, these are the five most iconic moments from the awards show:

5. P!nk Appears to Cringe as Christina Aguilera Sings Tribute to Whitney Houston

It’s been five years since the pop diva Whitney Houston passed, but her memory shows no sign of fading among her musical co-artists. Opening up with the iconic “I Will Always Love You” was a huge moment for Christina Aguilera. Aguilera posted a video on social media thanking Whitney Houston’s family for “making a little girl’s dream come true.” But, some fans on Twitter noticed a certain audience member was less than impressed.

Pink’s face about @xtina butchering every song tonight 😂😂 #AMAs2017 #ChristinaAguilera pic.twitter.com/eIPtkOzeqe

— Alli Kuhl (@alli_kuhl) November 20, 2017

P!nk appeared to be cringing during the performance, but she took to Twitter quickly to set the record straight:

Yes. THIS. Christina fucking killed it tonight for one of our favorite singers ever. This about Whitney, and I am in awe of Christina’s talent. Show the clip where I’m in tears, you negative Nancy’s 🤘🏽✌🏼❤️ https://t.co/5Lroq73xrQ

— P!nk (@Pink) November 20, 2017

4. K-Pop Band BTS Makes Their U.S. Television Debut

Fans went NUTS. Not only is this a historic moment for the Korean boy band of seven as they make their mark on the American music world, it’s an opportunity to pave the way for future international music stars. Plus, did you see Ansel Elgort fan-girling?

OMG ANSEL DID THAT #AMAs pic.twitter.com/w1cfgT7Lf4

— lala (@RISEOFH0PE) November 20, 2017

3. Tracee Ellis Ross Pays Tribute to Her Mother, Diana Ross

Cause of death: Tracee Ellis Ross wearing one of her mom’s classic outfits! #AMAs pic.twitter.com/omvhu9wTXP

— Michael Blackmon (@blackmon) November 20, 2017

Diana Ross was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award and was oined onstage by her entire family including daughter Tracee Ellis Ross, who was also hosting the AMAs. During the show, Ross changed her wardrobe 12 (yes, 12!) times, but her most talked-about look was a white suit her mother made famous.

2. P!nk and Kelly Clarkson Share an Emotional Duet

Before I frame this picture and hang it in my office to stare at like a creepy stage 5 clinger I thought I’d share it with y’all 😊🤣 #tonight #AMAs2017 pic.twitter.com/ODMUvq6oWU

— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) November 19, 2017

In response to 2017’s string of natural disasters and divisive political year, P!nk and Kelly Clarkson dueted “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. The two met and and collaborated for the first time for this performance, and it seems they were just as starstruck by one another as the audience was.

1. Selena Gomez Is Blonde… and an Alleged Lip-Syncer?

First Selena Gomez and The Weeknd break up, then she’s spotted all over town kissing her ex Justin Bieber, and now she’s coming out of the limo on AMA’s red carpet as a blonde?! This girl is full of surprises.

.@selenagomez arrives in SERIOUS STYLE! #SELENAxAMAs #AMAs pic.twitter.com/5EAS2kzOzF

— AMAs (@AMAs) November 19, 2017

And if this hasn’t shocked you enough, it’s rumored that during her performance (her only live broadcast of the year) she was lip-syncing.

I love Selena Gomez but she made it so obvious that she lip sync through that whole performance hence why she had her head down & hair covering her face for 99% of the performance. The girl can’t sing live so I don’t know why she just can’t admit it instead of lip syncing #AMAs

— Áine 🍸 (@ainemartin13) November 20, 2017