CULTURE

The Top 10 American Music Awards Red Carpet Looks of All Time


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From good-girl-on-the-verge-of-going-bad Rihanna in 2009 to Gwen Stefani in a Balmain blazer, the American Music Awards red carpet has seen more than a few outrageous looks since its inception in 1973. The 2016 awards show comes to Los Angeles Sunday night, with Gigi Hadid as host and a performance by Lady Gaga — all but ensuring that the fashion is as over-the-top and extravagant as ever. Here, look back at the 10 best looks to cross the red carpet at the American Music Awards of all time.

1
Rihanna
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Rihanna wore a laser-cut Marchesa gown to the 2009 awards ceremony, combining the elegant monochrome look with an edgy undercut.

2
Nicole Kidman
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Married to country music sensation Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman is a frequent fixture at music awards shows. Here, she presents alongside co-host Kate Hudson in a one-shouldered Balenciaga gown in 2010.

3
Selena Gomez
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In 2011, Selena Gomez, then dating a dapper young Justin Bieber, opted for a shimmering silver Giorgio Armani gown — and since she adopted sparkles on the red carpet, she hasn’t looked back.

4
Jennifer Lopez
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The original naked dress champion, J.Lo wore a slinky Zuhair Murad gown to the 2011 awards, where she performed and won Best Latin Music Artist.

5
Gwen Stefani
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Gwen Stefani wore a Balmain blazer to the 2012 awards, upstaging the rest of her No Doubt bandmates.

6
Lady Gaga
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Lady Gaga rode in on a white stallion (ish) and a lavender Versace gown for the 2013 American Music Awards, because she’s never been one to waste an opportunity to make an entrance.

7
Rihanna
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Four years after her delicate Marchesa ensemble, Rihanna stepped onto the red carpet in a daring Jean Paul Gaultier two-piece for the 2013 awards show.

8
Zendaya
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Zendaya Coleman loves matching sets, and her look at the 2015 American Music Awards was no exception: The singer and actress appeared in a frilly pink Emanuel Ungaro ensemble.

9
Kendall Jenner
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Kendall Jenner has been a champion of some lesser-known designers on the red carpet, including Victoria’s Secret go-to Kristian Aadnevik, and here, in Oriett Domenech, a small Dominican designer who knows how to make a little black dress with a bite.

10
Selena Gomez
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At the 2015 American Music Awards, a decidedly more grown-up Selena Gomez appeared in a front-slit Givenchy dress drenched in red paillettes.