(Image source: Getty Images / Kevin Winter)
BY Briana Altergott, Newsy
There were a lot of big firsts for some big names in the music industry during the 2014 American Music Awards. Here are our top three favorites of the night.
First on our list of AMA firsts — rapper Iggy Azalea took home her very first music award ever.
“This award is the first award I’ve ever won in my entire life,” Iggy Azalea said during her acceptance speech at the 2014 American Music Awards.
Azalea picked up the award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album, beating out Drake and Eminem in the process.
And she mentioned how humbling it was to win against Eminem in her touching acceptance speech, even though he seemingly threatened to sexually assault her in his new song, “Vegas.” (Video via Aftermath Records / Interscope Records / Eminem)
And to top it all off, Azalea also won the award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist later in the night. Not too bad for a music award newbie.
Next, Diana Ross presented the first-ever Dick Clark Award for Excellence. And the winner is…
“Ladies and gentlemen, Taylor Swift!” said Diana Ross at the 2014 American Music Awards.
Yes, pop sensation Taylor Swift incredibly nabbed a lifetime achievement award at the ripe old age of 24. (Video via Big Machine Records / Taylor Swift)
But all anyone could talk about after the presentation was Swift’s attempt to defend albums as art during her acceptance speech.
“Music is valuable and music should be consumed in albums and albums should be consumed as art and appreciated,” said Taylor Swift at the 2014 American Music Awards.
And finally, amazing first performances of new hit singles from some big artists.
Taylor Swift opened the show with a, um, crazy performance of her song “Blank Space” for the first time on television.
“Got a long list of ex-lovers, they’ll tell you I’m insane, but you know I love the players, and you love the game,” Taylor Swift sang at the 2014 American Music Awards.
Selena Gomez’s debut performance of “The Heart Wants What It Wants,” a ballad supposedly about her on-again-off-again love Justin Bieber, was dubbed emotional and dramatic by viewers.
“The heart wants what it wants,” Selena Gomez sang at the 2014 American Music Awards.
And for the first time on American television, Lorde performed her single “Yellow Flicker Beat,” which is featured on the soundtrack of the newest “Hunger Games” movie.
“And my necklace is a rope, I tie it and untie it,” Lorde sang at the 2014 American Music Awards.
There were plenty of other amazing moments at this year’s AMAs, including a rare performance from Garth Brooks, an epic celebrity dance party led by Jessie J and even Ariana Grande sans her trademark ponytail. GASP.
Head to ABC’s website to check it all out.