The 10 wildest AMA moments featuring Kanye West’s tantrum, JLo’s fall & Britney Spears & Justin Timberlake’s wild looks
THE 2021 American Music Awards are just around the corner, making now the perfect time to look back on the wildest AMA moments from Kanye West's meltdown to Jennifer "JLo" Lopez's slip and fall.
This year's awards, set to air live on Sunday, November 21, will be hosted by Cardi B, who herself has gifted us some red carpet gems over the years.
Speaking with about hosting the show this year, the female emcee said: "I'm the host, but I feel like the performers and their performances, it's like their night, you know what I'm saying?
"Like when you perform, it's your night. And I'm just going to be myself. That's it. There are going to be certain things that I read on the teleprompter, but I'm just going to freestyle it because I don't like feeling like I'm talking like a robot. I just want to be myself."
The awards show has seen some buzz-worthy moments from hosts and nominees alike throughout the years, and it seems likely viewers can expect more when all is said and done.
Stars set to grace the stage during Sunday's awards show include Machine Gun Kelly, JoJo Siwa, Billy Porter, and more.
Performing during the show will be Olivia Rodrigo, Bad Bunny, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Diplo and other notables.
In past years, celebrities have caused a stir on stage and the red carpet during the AMAs.
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There are many moments that fans still recall to this day, and some they may have forgotten.
These are the most memorable AMA moments so far.
808S AND BREAKDOWNS
During the 2004 AMA ceremony, Kanye famously threw an epic tantrum after Gretchen Wilson beat him in the Favorite New Artist category.
Speaking with reporters after the show, the rapper now known as Ye said: "I felt like I was definitely robbed, and I refused to give any politically correct bulls**t comment. I was the best new artist this year."
The hitmaker claimed he would not be back at the awards show, but it did make another appearance four years after the fact.
PURPLE PRINCE
In 1985, Prince left AMA viewers speechless with his limited acceptance speech.
After winning in the Favorite Black Single category, he took the stage in a shiny purple outfit delivering a quick and concise speech.
Prince said: "Thank you very much," and returned to his seat.
He was joined on stage by his massive bodyguard, Lawrence Gibson, which also had fans talking.
Prince won a second award that evening in the Favorite Pop Album category.
He had a little more to say as he accepted the award, but still made sure to keep fans talking: "For all of us, life is death without adventure, and adventure only comes to those who are willing to be daring and take chances."
CLAY NICE
During the 2004 AMAs, Kathy Griffin took the stage to present alongside American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken.
Kathy sported a bridal look for the moment and tried to get Clay on board with the joke.
Her attempts to make nice with Clay were futile and she later told he was "not very nice."
JENNY HITS THE BLOCK
In 2009, JLo made headlines after the took a tumble during the AMAs.
The singer was selected as a performer that year and hit the stage to do her thing wearing flat boots.
That didn't help keep her on her feet, however.
She took a tumble on live TV, though producers were able to edit it out of the West Coast broadcast that aired later that evening.
JLo was ultimately fine, save perhaps some embarrassment, and got up to continue singing and dancing.
AWARDS IN LOW PLACES
Garth Brooks stunned AMA viewers in 1996 when he rejected his award.
The country crooner won in the Artist of the Year category, but declined to accept.
He did so in solidarity with other artists, but the act was controversial none the less.
Garth said at the time: "Without any disrespect to the American Music Awards and without disrespect to any fans who voted, for all those people who should be honored with this award, I'm going to leave it right here."
He then walked away without the statue.
The singer revealed later on that he felt Hootie & the Blowfish was more deserving of the accolade.
DENIM DEBUT
Fans anxiously awaited Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake's arrival on the AMA red carpet in 2001 and they did not disappoint.
The pair hit the red carpet wearing matching denim-on-denim outfits that live on in infamy two decades later.
In fact, Katy Perry and Riff Raff famously recreated the look for the MTV Video Music Awards one year.
The look included denim accessories like a hat for Justin and a bag for Britney.
BOOZE BROTHERS
Guns N' Roses won big during the AMAs in 1990.
They took the stage during the show looking very obviously intoxicated, and the party was far from over.
The band swigged beers and smoked cigarettes while they delivered their acceptance speech.
They got another award later that same evening, and band members like Slash appeared shocked.
The rocker took the stage to deliver some thank yous this time, but not without several curse words that had to be bleeped out for the broadcast.
CAT LADY
Miley Cyrus is no stranger to controversy, but her 2013 AMA performance really took the cake.
The singer took the stage donning a cat-printed two-piece outfit, while she sang her hit single Wrecking Ball.
The performance featured a cartoon cat as well.
As if that's not bizarre enough the animal appeared to be weeping and singing along.
'BOUT TIME
In 1989, Little Richard took the stage at the AMAs to present the Favorite Soul/R&B Single award.
He was joined by Eddie Money.
While presenting the award, Little Richard went wildly off script, delivering a tirade about how overdue he was for a win at the show.
"Don't you think it's time I won?" he said, before ordering the audience to give him a standing ovation.
Little Richard did win an AMA years later in 1997 — a lifetime achievement award no less.
SHATTERED
Lady Gaga left fans buzzing after she performed at the AMAs in 2009.
During the show she danced with other performers before making her way to a glass cube housing her piano.
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She smashed the glass everywhere with her microphone stand and then climbed over it to get to the piano bench.
Then the piano shot fire out of it and the audience gave her a standing ovation.
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