Earlier today we learned all about Adam Lambert’s shocking performance at the 2009 American Music Awards last night, as well as Jennifer Lopez’s embarrassing fall at the AMAs … but there were other things going on at the Nokia Theater where the AMAs took place that are kinda worth mentioning. Celebs strutted their stuff on the red carpet on the way into the show, other folks performed songs without incident and a few awards were even handed out … who knew? Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals:

Yes, peeps were lookin’ purdy and stuff on the red carpet but let’s get to the awards. Taylor Swift, who has been cleaning up at awards shows all year long already, was the biggest winner of the night … she took home 5 awards including Artist of the Year! Michael Jackson also enjoyed a big night last night taking home a few posthumous awards of his own as did Whitney Houston, who became the 7th person ever to win the International Artist of the Year award from the AMAs:

Country crossover star Taylor Swift overshadowed the late Michael Jackson at the American Music Awards on Sunday, winning five prizes including artist of the year. Jackson, who had been expected to enjoy a clean sweep, ended up with four awards. He and Swift went head-to-head in the artist of the year race, the ceremony’s final prize. Other multiple winners included hip-hop acts Jay-Z and the Black Eyed Peas, with two each. Swift, 19, was also named favorite female artist in the pop/rock and country categories, and favorite adult-contemporary artist. Her 2008 album “Fearless,” the best-selling release in the United States this year, was named favorite country album. She accepted her awards live via satellite from backstage at London’s Wembley Arena, where she will perform a concert on Monday. “Music has never been ultimately about competition,” Swift said, after winning the artist of the year prize. She said it was an “unimaginable honor” to be cited in the same category as Jackson, and thanked the Jackson family. Jackson was named favorite male artist in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories, while his 2003 hits collection “Number Ones” was named favorite album in both those categories. The album is the No. 2 seller this year in the United States. His brother Jermaine, accompanied by sons Jeremy, Jaafar and Jermajesty, accepted on his behalf. At one point, he thanked Allah “for blessing my entire family.” Rapper Eminem, making a rare awards-show appearance in the wake of his four nominations, went home empty-handed. Glam-pop singer Lady Gaga, rock band Kings of Leon and jailed rapper T.I., who earned three nominations each, were also snubbed. The Black Eyed Peas were named favorite group in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. Jay-Z won favorite male artist and favorite album in the rap/hip-hop categories. His wife Beyonce, who was performing a show in Dublin, was named favorite female artist in the soul/R&B category. Punk rock trio Green Day won the favorite alternative artist. Rascal Flatts won favorite country group for the fourth year in a row.

Crazy, right? Well, since the AMAs are handed out according to fan voting I guess it’s all Y’ALL’s fault that Taylor won so many awards. The girl must really be enjoying life right now … whether it’s deserved or not (many, many folks argue that it is not) she is really taking home some major awards this year. I say, congrats … I hope she really appreciates it all. After the jump, check out a few photos from the AMAs show itself and see what else went down on the Nokia Theater stage last night …

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Earlier I mentioned that the 2009 American Music Awards were edited for the West Coast feed of the show due to Adam Lambert’s “shocking” performance of his song For Your Entertainment but it was also edited because Jennifer Lopez fell on her ass while performing her new song Louboutins (which we got to hear for the first time last week) and, apparently, the folks at ABC didn’t want the folks watching at home on the West Coast to see it. To be honest, her fall wasn’t all that bad at all and she managed to get right up and carry on with her performance. But, for those of you who didn’t get a chance to see the mishap (or just want to watch it again), here are a few photos of the embarrassing incident:

It was a daring dance manoeuvre that could have gone terribly wrong – and unfortunately for Jennifer Lopez – it did. The diva fell flat on her famous rear end while performing her new single Louboutins at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles last night. The 40-year-old mother of two began the dramatic stunt by climbing up a human pyramid of semi-naked male dancers. She then drew gasps from the audience when she lost her balance after jumping off a dancer’s back, and landed on her derriere. But, ever the professional, Jennifer quickly recovered her poise and carried on with the show. After hours of rehearsals, the slip up would have disappointed the singer, who is known to be something of a perfectionist. But it seems that the only thing bruised was her ego, with her spokesperson assuring concerned fans that ’she’s fine, totally fine.’

Actually, I understand that she wasn’t all that fine at all … backstage spies report that J. Lo was PISSED over the fall and make it quite clear to everyone within earshot that she was not happy with herself or her dancers. I don’t know if she personally insisted that the fall be edited out of the West Coast feed (tho I suspect that she or her people did insist) but ABC did edit her performance, turning her fall into a slo-mo jump that cut away right before her booty made contact with the stage floor. After the jump, tho, check out video of J. Lo’s uncensored, unedited performance of Louboutins at the AMAs last night …

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Last night the 2009 American Music Awards were handed out at the Nokia Theater here in Los Angeles, CA in a live ABC network telecast broadcast on the East Coast and in an edited form for folks watching on the West Coast. The show was edited due to a bit of controversy initiated by Adam Lambert and his “too racy” performance of his new single For Your Entertainment (the show was also edited due to Jennifer Lopez accidentally falling on her ass … but we’ll get to that in a bit). Glambert decided his first TV network performance as a solo performer would be a great place to engage in some same-sex kissing … which, of course, got everyone all riled up:

Openly-gay performer Adam Lambert is defending his man-on-man kiss at the American Music Awards, saying female performers have been pushing the limits for years. The American Idol runner-up kissed a band member while performing his new single, “For Your Entertainment.” The sexually-charged performance angered some parents who quickly began posting messages of disgust online. Pop & Hiss reader Richard Bowen wrote, “I know he wants to break out and show the world his dangerous side, but why alienate an entire population of kids to do it?” When asked how he would feel if the performance was edited for West Coast viewers, Lambert told Pop & Hiss he would not be happy. “If it’s gonna be edited, then in a way that’s discrimination. I don’t mean to get political, but Madonna, Britney and Christina weren’t edited,” Lambert said. “It’s a shame. Female entertainers have been risqué for years. Honestly, there’s a huge double standard.” Lambert said the kiss happened in the moment. Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera shared an attention-grabbing kiss during the 2003 MTV Music Awards. ABC had to quickly cut to an audience shot during the performance when Lambert had a male dancer simulate oral sex on him.

The kiss was so meh. As Lambert said himself, Madonna (and other female performers) gratuitously kiss other women for “shock value” and no one really bats an eye … it’s a contrived act meant to generate water-cooler buzz the next day (and it works, which is plainly obvs since we’re talking about it now). I’m happy to report that Glambert’s kiss was NOT edited out of the West Coast feed … it was the alleged “simulated oral sex” act that was edited out. After the jump, check out a photo of this “heinous” act, watch video of Lambert’s uncensored performance and see what all the controversy was really about …

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Last night the American Music Awards were handed out on live TV at the Nokia Theater here in Los Angeles, CA. Stars of varying importance made their way into downtown LA last night to walk the red carpet, participate in the show or mug for the cameras in the press room afterward. Chris Brown was one of the night’s big winners … Kanye West was one of the night’s biggest wieners … and Beyoncé, bless her heart, gave the best live performance of the night. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals last night:

Here are a few pics from the show itself:

Here are a few pics from the press room and some deets about what went down at this years AMAs:

Chris Brown was the big winner at the American Music Awards on Sunday night, surprising himself most of all. “I don’t know what to say. I would have given it to Coldplay,” said Brown, who won artist of the year, male pop/rock artist and male soul/R&B artist. Kanye West, still sore at losing male rap/hip-hop artist last year, won the trophy this time – then said Lil Wayne deserved it more. “I want to give this award to Wayne,” he said. “If it was last year it would have been my award.” It was West’s second trophy of the night, following his win for rap/hip-hop album, for Graduation. “It’s our responsibility as musicians to push music to the point it was in the ’60s and ’70s,” he said. “I want to be Elvis.” Host Jimmy Kimmel, who had made West’s ego a running joke, quipped: “Elvis died on the toilet with half a jelly doughnut in his mouth. You may want to rethink that.”

Um, why does Kanye have to be so douchey? I mean, seriously. It’s like he just cannot stop himself from acting like a total a-hole on the public stage. I just don’t get it.

The show climaxed with Keys performing “Superwoman” with Queen Latifah and opera star Kathleen Battle, and ending with a large photo projected on a screen of incoming first lady Michelle Obama. In a big night for American Idol alums, Daughtry – winner of three trophies last year – picked up another this year for pop/rock group, while former Idol champ Jordin Sparks won for adult contemporary music, and Carrie Underwood won for country album for Carnival Ride. Taylor Swift, uncomfortably sharing L.A.’s Nokia Theatre auditorium with ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas, won for female country artist, and Rihanna got two awards for pop/rock female artist and female soul R&B artist … Music’s A-listers were out in force as the show featured blockbuster performances by Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Rihanna, West, birthday girl Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers, who also won the breakthrough artist award. And Justin Timberlake made a surprise appearance to introduce award of merit recipient Annie Lennox.

Much congrats to all the winners this year but, I gotta say, the “prestige” associated with winning an American Music Award seems to have diminished a bit — after all, the soundtrack to the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks took home an award last night.

For me, tho, the highlight was Beyoncé’s live performance of her hit single Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It). Homegirl turned that mutha OUT! After the jump, watch video of her performance in full …

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