Here's How to Watch the 2018 American Music Awards — and What to Expect
[MUSIC] My real middle name on my birth certificate is Tracee Joy. My mom said I was allowed to let it go professionally because I've embodied it. My natural disposition is joy. That does not mean I don't suffer from depression [LAUGH] because that comes up to. Got the flip side know what I mean. The national treasure that is Diana Ross is like a dim light compared to who she is as a mother. Mother. And from a professional standpoint I will say that I sometimes think to myself, what did she do and how was that possible. There's wasn't a road like it was the frigging 60s. What were you talking about. As a woman as a black woman I think of what my mom Did that paved the way for not only who I am in my career and the career that I've been able to have. But who I am as a human being. [MUSIC] [BLANK_AUDIO] I remember I was in fifth grade. [MUSIC] I was like, I'm going to make a choice that these people are staring at me because I'm beautiful. I was wearing glasses. I mean I was not this human. And I was like, I'm just going to make that choice, because it makes me so uncomfortable. I don't know why they're staring at me. I don't know if they're staring at me because I'm black. I don't know if I'm wearing something weird. I had no idea. I'm just making a choice. He's staring at me because I'm beautiful. And I think that that goes back to this idea of choicefulness and sort of how you see things, and. I think we're as happy as we make up our minds to be. I was extremely shy growing up. I don't think that I would've started acting if I didn't go to college. I was painfully shy growing up. It came out in a large personality. Like, I kept people at a distance by being really loud and funny. I'm all these things. I'm quiet and I'm loud. I'm joyful and I'm depressed. I'm happy and I'm sad. I'm big and I'm small. Like we're all of those things, and I don't have to have a version of myself that I think is better than another. And I'm very careful, I'm very mindful how I talk to myself, because then I'm in competition with my own self. Then I fall short of me, I mean that's a bummer. Please the last thing I'm thinking about is the other person on the red carpet. All I'm thinking about is stay your most peaceful and beautiful if they say smile don't gently smile with your eyes find your sexiest expression Don't look like you care, but care. I mean, it's like [LAUGHTER]. It's insane. They say you can't choose your first thought, but you can choose your second. So unconsciously, I would say that my best accessory is my laughter. Which is a point of view that I have. Sort of an ability to laugh at life and myself really. Consciously I would say curiosity, kindness and compassion. [MUSIC] I would want to look in each and every one of your eyes and just sit with you for a second and say hi. And then say 'what's you name'? And then I would whisper 'if anyone tells you there's a right way to do your life, they're wrong.' And may you make them wrong by living your life as only you can live it. [MUSIC] And remember than you have choices. And that you're not alone. [MUSIC]
The American Music Awards are back with last year's fan-favorite host and a slew of performers that run the gamut from Top 40 mainstay to all-out legend. Billboard reports that Tracee Ellis Ross will be reprising her role as emcee this year when ABC airs the show on October 9.
Just like in previous years, the show's winners are decided by the fans, who vote online and via social media. Music lovers have been tweeting out their ballots since the nominees were announced earlier this month, hoping to get their favorite acts a little hardware. Drake and Cardi B. (who is also performing) are leading the pack, with eight nominations each.
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Performers include Imagine Dragons, Carrie Underwood and Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign. For the first time, Benny Blanco will hit the stage with Halsey and Khalid to perform their hit "Eastside." But when it comes to star power, it'll be tough to top Mariah Carey, who returns to the AMAs to perform for the first time since 2008. With 10 American Music Awards under her rhinestone belt, she's a vet that never disappoints. She'll debut her new single, "With You," which is set to appear on her forthcoming album.
Don't have a TV? Don't worry. The show will stream live on ABC.com, so get your screens ready. Plus, viewers can vote for the awards right up until show time, so it's never too late to get in on the action.