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The American Music Awards returns for its 2009 show Sunday on ABC at 8 p.m.
In the past the show has had its memorable moments, and this year’s lineup makes this year a can’t-miss event.
Janet Jackson will open the show with a medley of her hit songs.
Other performers include Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Lady GaGa, Shakira, Lil’ Wayne, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige, Carrie Underwood, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Jamie Foxx and Daughtry. Other artists might also perform.
In the past, the AMAs have been a staple of American pop culture, joining the Grammy and Billboard awards as one of music’s biggest nights. This year’s show looks to be no different.
To be nominated for an award, an artist must have had outstanding sales and airplay in the year since the previous award show.
The evening’s biggest category, Artist of the Year, has some of the most diverse nominees in recent history, with Eminem, Kings of Leon, GaGa, Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson all being up for the award.
Although Michael died this summer, his work sold very well, and he received five nominations in total.
Michael’s other nominations were in the Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Album, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album categories.
Artist of the Year nominees GaGa, Swift and Eminem tied for the second most nominations with four each.
Houston, the show’s record holder for most wins, will return to the AMA stage after a 10 year absence.
She will perform "I Didn’t Know My Own Strength," off of her latest release.
Some of the night’s most anticipated performances, besides Houston and Janet, will come from the mainstream music industry’s two reigning pop princesses.
Rihanna, who makes her return to the public scene after her domestic abuse incident with Chris Brown, will perform her latest dark, eerie single "Russian Roulette."
Pop singer GaGa will sing her single, "Bad Romance," which comes from her new album "The Fame Monster" that will be released the day after the show, Nov. 23.
There will be no host at this year’s AMAs, which means that viewers will have to sit through various celebrities running the show.
But with this huge performance line up, great expectations for the show look like they will be met.
Red carpet coverage will start around 7 p.m. on E!, and Janet’s opening number and a night of possibly legendary performances in music history will continue on ABC.
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