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Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, The Weeknd turned the AMAs into a Canadian invasion

More like the *Canadian* Music Awards, amiright?
by Christine Estima
November 23, 2020 9:29 a.m. EST
November 24, 2020 11:00 p.m. EST
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From the moment Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes (who both hail from the fine province of Ontario) took the stage to open the 2020 American Music Awards (stream highlights on CTV.ca and the CTV app) with a physically-distanced performance of their new duet “Monster,” it became perfectly clear that this should be renamed the Canadian Music Awards. Canadian talent dominated the show (see the full list of winners here) and that didn’t go unnoticed with fans, stans, and viewers (and not to brag, but we totally called it). Their performance, with both of them sporting that uncombed shaggy hair look (it’s an Ontario thing), had viewers singing their praises and really set the bar high for the evening. [video_embed id='2081571']RELATED: Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes team up for ‘Monster’ [/video_embed]The rest of the night was loaded with Canadian highlights, and whether you liked it or not, The Weeknd definitely had people talking. The Weeknd (aka Abel Tesfaye), who has been sporting this punched-in-the-face motif all year, came out early in the show to accept the award for Favourite Soul/R&B album, and the Scarborough, Ontario native came out looking like, welp, like he can’t feel face when he’s with you. Not long afterward, he ran outside to give a performance on the street of his latest single, “In Your Eyes,” and his new song, “Save Your Tears,” and he did it with the explosive combination of pyrotechnics, fireworks, and *checks notes* Kenny G. Man, host Taraji P. Henson said it: that sax is responsible for a lot of babies. [video_embed id='2083306']RELATED: The Weeknd and sax legend Kenny G rock the 2020 AMAs’ [/video_embed]Despite the drama surrounding his costuming choices, the controversial Canuck still took home two more awards last night: Favourite Male Artist – Soul/R&B and Favourite Song – Soul/R&B for "Heartless." Yes, that means he basically swept the Soul/R&B categories (except, of course, for Favourite Female Artist which went to Doja Cat).Even Katy Perry was running on a Canadian tip, whether she was aware of it or not, because the new mom took the stage with Hootie Darius Rucker to perform “Only Love” whilst wearing a Canadian tuxedo. Katy, your honorary citizenship is in the mail. Don’t worry, they gave Americans some air-time too last night. Doja Cat paired her Favourite Female Artist – Soul/R&B win with a matching New Artist of the Year award. Dua Lipa won for Favourite Pop/Rock song and also performed her song “Levitating” while, you guessed it, levitating (you could see the strings). Dan + Shay won for Collaboration of the Year for their song “10,000 hours” with Justin Bieber (us Canadians sneak in everywhere!). Nelly took to the stage to celebrate 20 years since his album Country Grammar dropped, performing a medley of "Country Grammar," "E.I.," and "Ride Wit Me.” Old school hip hop heroes Bel Biv Devoe (the original boyband to emerge from another boyband – New Edition) also took to the stage, and fans were losing their minds when they performed their mega smash hits “Do Me Baby” and “Poison.” Never trust a big butt and a smile! Speaking of body parts, all bets were off when Megan Thee Stallion took to the stage to perform her song, “Body.” Jaws dropped. Eyes widened. We have no choice but to stan. Then Billie Eilish performed a red-hued boxed-in rendition of “Therefore I Am” and the lyrics of women empowerment of not being defined by a man or a relationship was something we were all feeling. The track was exciting and her vocals were fire. The biggest scoop of the night had to be when Taylor Swift won Artist of the Year, just as she did last year! She accepted the award from her recording studio, and she dropped the news that she’s putting that recording studio to good use.
“The reason I’m not there tonight is I’m actually re-recording all of my old music in this studio where we originally recorded it,” she revealed. “It’s been amazing and I can’t wait for you to hear it.”This comes on the heels of Scooter Braun selling her old masters, and while that means Taylor doesn’t own the rights to her own music, the deal didn’t preclude her from re-recording and releasing those songs again. So she’s doing it. Yes lady, get yours![video_embed id='2083307']RELATED: The internet is buzzing after JLo's AMAs performance [/video_embed]It was an incredible night of wins, performances, and revelations, so to end on a high note, let’s just all admire the wonder that was JLo’s duet with Maluma for “Lonely,” and “Pa ‘Ti.” The lights. The vocals. The choreography. How is that woman 51?!
See the full list of winners here and watch more highlights from the 2020 American Music Awards on CTV.ca and the CTV app.[video_embed id='2030335']BEFORE YOU GO: Cat attempts daily hilarious attack on mail carrier [/video_embed]

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