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Everything you need to know about the American Music Awards


Unlike the Grammy Awards, where an academy of music industry professionals decides who receives awards, the American Music Awards are entirely fan-voted, putting the power in the listeners' hands.

The 43rd annual awards, which celebrate the artists in the zeitgeist of pop music, return this Sunday to ABC for an evening packed with A-list performances. Here's everything you need to know about this year's awards.

What are the AMAs?

Dick Clark created the American Music Awards in 1973. Hailed as “the world's biggest fan-voted award show,” winners are chosen by the public, via polls on the AMAs website.

The AMAs award trophies in specific genres, including pop/rock, alternative rock, country, rap/hip-hop, soul/R&B, adult contemporary, contemporary inspirational, Latin, EDM and soundtrack, alongside more general categories like new artist, song, collaboration and artist of the year.

What time are the AMAs?

The AMAs air live Sunday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

How can I watch?

If you have the right TV provider and live in a supported city, you can livestream the show. ABC’s website and app offer livestreaming for participating TV providers in Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham and San Francisco.

The red carpet pre-show will go live at 6 p.m. ET. Fans can livestream the red carpet via the AMAs Facebook page.

Who is nominated?

Drake leads the pack with a record 13 nominations, followed by Rihanna with seven and Adele and Justin Bieber with five each. Along with Bieber and Rihanna, the nominees for artist of the year, the night's preeminent award, include Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and Carrie Underwood. Sting will also take the stage to accept the American Music Award of Merit during the show.

See the full list of nominees here.

Who is performing?

Gigi Hadid and Jay Pharaoh host this year’s awards, joined by an all-star group of performers: Maroon 5 and Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Fifth Harmony, James Bay, Green Day, John Legend, Bruno Mars, Shawn Mendes, Twenty One Pilots, The Weeknd, The Chainsmokers and Halsey, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj and Bieber, who will perform from Switzerland.

Who is attending?

Just because they're nominated for an award doesn't mean a celebrity will attend a show — especially for music, since artists are often touring or recording when the show airs. Drake is a notorious snubber of awards ceremonies, but there's speculation he'll be in attendance — potentially with Taylor Swift in tow. Also rumored to attend is Selena Gomez, after the star announced in August she'd take time away from the spotlight to focus on her health.