Ariana Grande durfte sich über die Auszeichnung schlechthin freuen: Sie heimste den American Music Award 2016 in der Kategorie „Künstler des Jahres“ ein. Abräumer des Abends war Justin Bieber, der in den Kategorien Video of the Year, Favorite Male Artist Pop/Rock, Favorite Album Pop/Rock und Favorite Song Pop/Rock mit einem Award ausgezeichnet wurde.
Prince erhielt posthum den Award für den besten Soundtrack (Purple Rain). Seine Familienmitglieder nahmen die Auszeichnung für ihn entgegen.
American Music Awards 2016 – Gewinner
Artist of the Year: Ariana Grande
New Artist of the Year: Zayn Malik
Favorite Female Artist — Pop/Rock: Selena Gomez
Favorite Female Artist — Country: Carrie Underwood
Favorite Artist — Alternative Rock: Twenty One Pilots
Favorite Artist — Rap/Hip-Hop: Drake
Favorite Male Artist — Pop/Rock: Justin Bieber, Purpose
Favorite Male Artist — Soul/R&B: Chris Brown
Favorite Male Artist — Country: Blake Shelton
Favorite Album — Rap/Hip-Hop: Drake, Views
Favorite Album — Pop/Rock: Justin Bieber, Purpose
Favorite Album — Country: Carrie Underwood, Storyteller
Favorite Duo or Group — Pop/Rock: Twenty One Pilots
Favorite Duo or Group — Country: Florida Georgia Line
Favorite Song — Rap/Hip-Hop: Drake, Hotline Bling
Favorite Song — Pop/Rock: Justin Bieber, Love Yourself
Favorite Song — Soul/R&B: Rihanna Featuring Drake, Work
Favorite Song — Country: Tim McGraw, Humble And Kind
Collaboration of the Year: Fifth Harmony Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Work From Home
Favorite Artist — Adult Contemporary: Adele
Favorite Artist — Latin: Enrique Iglesias
Favorite Artist — Electronic Dance Music: The Chainsmokers
Favorite Artist — Contemporary Inspirational: Hillsong United
New Artist of the Year Un-Leashed By T-Mobile: Zayn Malik
Tour of the Year: Beyoncé
Video of the Year: Justin Bieber, Sorry