What to expect from the 2020 AMAs: From the red carpet to the celebrity performances

The best music of the year is set to be celebrated at the American Music Awards on November 22

Both Jennifer Lopez and Billie Eilish are set to perform at the 2020 American Music Awards, while The Weeknd (right) leads the nominations, tied with newcomer Roddy Ricch. AP Photo, Getty Images 
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Who, what, where and when: we answer all your burning questions about the 2020 American Music Awards – most pressingly, will it be a traditional awards ceremony or super-sized Zoom celebration?

When are the 2020 AMAs and will celebrity guests attend?

The 2020 American Music Awards will be handed out at a ceremony at Los Angeles's Microsoft Theatre on November 22, and is expected to be a live event, with celebrity attendees at an indoor venue.

However, it is also very likely that we will see a large number of stars accept awards via video call, as a number of Covid-19 quarantine, self-isolation and travel restrictions remain in place globally.

Who is going to perform at the 2020 AMAs?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Billie Eilish performs onstage during the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival and Daytime Stage at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on September 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.   Bryan Steffy/Getty Images/AFP
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Billie Eilish is scheduled to perform at the 2020 American Music Awards. EPA

Organisers have announced a string of big-name performers on the night, including Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, BTS, Dua Lipa, Shawn Mendes, Jennifer Lopez and Maluma, Megan Thee Stallion, Bad Bunny, Jhay Cortez, and Lil Baby. They have not, however, said which stars will be coming live from the Microsoft Theatre and who will be performing remotely.

The 2020 Country Music Awards took place in Nashville, Tennessee last week but Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber performed in an empty Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles for the ceremony. It's likely that the 2020 AMAs will follow a similar format with a number of remote performances.

Who is presenting?

Golden Globe-winning actress Taraji P Henson is set to present the 2020 American Music Awards. EPA
Golden Globe-winning actress Taraji P Henson is set to present the 2020 American Music Awards. EPA

Oscar-nominated Empire actress Taraji P Henson is set to host the ceremony.

“The AMAs bring together the music community to celebrate what really drives all artists – the fans,” said Henson ahead of her hosting gig. “I’m proud to take the stage as this year’s host – and also a fan – for what promises to be an electrifying night of music.”

Will there be a red carpet? 

This is TBA. As organisers have not announced which artists will perform live and who will perform remotely, so we don't know who exactly will be turning up on the day.

However, if recent awards ceremonies are anything to go by, including the CMAs and the E! People's Choice Awards 2020, it is likely we'll see stars arrive in socially distanced style. So expect to see red carpet looks accessorised with face masks at the Microsoft Theatre.

Will there be an audience? 

ABC, the US channel televising the event, has yet to confirm how full, or socially distanced, the audience will be on the night – and if there will be an audience at all.

Who is nominated? 

Roddy Ricch performs at the 7th annual BET Experience in Los Angeles on June 21, 2019, left, and The Weeknd performs at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug 4, 2018. Rich and The Weeknd were each nominated for eight American Music Awards on Monday. They will compete against each other for Favorite Song - Pop/Rock and Artist of the Year at the awards show airing Nov. 22 on ABC. (AP Photo)
Roddy Ricch and The Weeknd lead nominations for the 2020 American Music Awards. AP Photo

Canadian musician The Weeknd and newcomer Roddy Ricch lead the nominations, with first-time nominee Megan Thee Stallion snagging the most nods for a female artist.

Ricch, 22, a rapper from California, and The Weeknd earned eight nominations apiece, including for the top award, Artist of the Year, for which they will compete against Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Taylor Swift.

Stallion got five nominations, including Best New Artist and Collaboration of the Year for her summer single WAP with Cardi B.

The 2020 American Music Awards nominees in full:

Artist of the Year

Justin Bieber

Post Malone

Roddy Ricch

Taylor Swift

The Weeknd

New Artist of the Year

Lewis Capaldi

Doja Cat

DaBaby

Lil Baby

Roddy Ricch

Megan Thee Stallion

Collaboration of the Year

Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, WAP

DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, Rockstar

Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, 10,000 Hours

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, Rain On Me

Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyonce, Savage Remix

Favourite Social Artist

BTS

Billie Eilish

Exo

Ariana Grande

NCT 127

Favourite Music Video

Doja Cat, Say So

Future featuring Drake, Life Is Good

Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, Rain On Me

Taylor Swift, Cardigan

The Weeknd, Blinding Lights

Favourite Male Artist – Pop / Rock

Justin Bieber

Post Malone

The Weeknd

Favourite Female Artist – Pop / Rock

Dua Lipa

Lady Gaga

Taylor Swift

Favourite Duo or Group – Pop / Rock

BTS

Jonas Brothers

Maroon 5

Favourite Album – Pop / Rock

Harry Styles, Fine Line

Taylor Swift, Folklore

The Weeknd, After Hours

Favourite Song – Pop / Rock

Lewis Capaldi, Someone You Loved

Dua Lipa, Don't Start Now

Post Malone, Circles

Roddy Ricch, The Box

The Weeknd, Blinding Lights

Favourite Male Artist – Country

Kane Brown

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen

Favourite Female Artist – Country

Gabby Barrett

Miranda Lambert

Maren Morris

Favourite Duo or Group – Country

Dan + Shay

Florida Georgia Line

Old Dominion

Favourite Album – Country

Luke Combs, What You See Is What You Get

Blake Shelton, Fully Loaded: God's Country

Morgan Wallen, If I Know Me

Favourite Song – Country

Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, 10,000 Hours

Maren Morris, The Bones

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Nobody But You

Favourite Male Artist – Rap / Hip-hop

DaBaby

Juice WRLD

Roddy Ricch

Favourite Female Artist – Rap / Hip-hop

Cardi B

Nicki Minaj

Megan Thee Stallion

Favourite Album – Rap / Hip-hop

Lil Baby, My Turn

Lil Uzi Vert, Eternal Atake

Roddy Ricch, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial

Favourite Song – Rap / Hip-hop

Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, WAP

DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, Rockstar

Roddy Ricch, The Box

Favourite Male Artist – Soul / R&B

Chris Brown

John Legend

The Weeknd

Favourite Female Artist – Soul / R&B

Jhene Aiko

Doja Cat

Summer Walker

Favourite Album – Soul / R&B

Doja Cat, Hot Pink

Summer Walker, Over It

The Weeknd, After Hours

Favourite Song – Soul / R&B

Chris Brown featuring Drake, No Guidance

Summer Walker, Playing Games

The Weeknd, Heartless

Favourite Male Artist – Latin

Bad Bunny

J Balvin

Ozuna

Favourite Female Artist – Latin

Becky G

Karol G

Rosalia

Favourite Album – Latin

Anuel AA, Emmanuel

Bad Bunny, Las que no iban a salir

Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG

Favourite Song – Latin

Bad Bunny, Vete

Black Eyed Peas X J Balvin, RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)

Karol G and Nicki Minaj, Tusa

Favourite Artist – Alternative Rock

Billie Eilish

Tame Impala

Twenty One Pilots

Favourite Artist – Adult Contemporary

Lewis Capaldi

Jonas Brothers

Maroon 5

Favourite Artist – Adult Inspirational

Lauren Daigle

For King and Country

Kanye West

Favourite Artist – EDM

Kygo

Lady Gaga

Marshmello

Favourite Soundtrack

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