On a high-octane night that showcased the star power of Latino artists, Jennifer Lopez shined brighter than the rest at the 39th Annual American Music Awards.
In a performance that showed the 42-year-old Puerto Rican-American singer/actress pull away not one, but two layers of her outfit to reveal a barely there, sheer body suit, Lopez stole the show with a medley of her inescapable hits “Papi” and “On the Floor.”
She even started that sizzling performance by psyching out the audience with a faked emotional breakdown while singing the beginning “Until It Beats No More,” similar to the one she reportedly experienced earlier this fall while performing in New Jersey.
A short time after her show-stopping performance, Lopez returned to the stage to accept the award for favorite artist in the Latin music category and reflect on her “amazing” year.
“It’s been up and down and just exciting and overwhelming and so many things,” exclaimed a surprised Lopez, before breaking out the Spanish to thank her Latin-American fans. “Mi gente Latina, por so apoyo siempre, por todo su amor, por todo. Gracias! I love you!”
But Lopez wasn’t done rockin’ the AMA stage! She returned one last time to perform with Will.i.am on his new solo song “T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever).” For the Black Eyed Peas member, debuting a solo song at the American Music Awards with a ponytailed Lopez in a blacklight-inspired performance is extra special.
“I collaborate in the Peas all the time, but this is the first time I’ve ever done big collaborations with big-name artists on my solo projects,” he told Rolling Stone before the show. “So it means a lot that J. Lo’s even considered performing with me, that’s dope. She’s great.”
Bruno Mars was the night’s only other Latino winner. He took home the award for favorite pop/rock male artist.
Meanwhile, Pitbull and Marc Anthony performed their hit song “Rain Over Me;” Enrique Iglesias performed a mash-up of his new single “I Like How It Feels” with the PG-version of “Tonight I’m Lovin’ You;” and Christina Aguilera joined Maroon 5 to perform “Moves Like Jagger.”
