The Top 10 American Music Awards Red Carpet Looks of All Time
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.
1Rihanna
Rihanna wore a laser-cut Marchesa gown to the 2009 awards ceremony, combining the elegant monochrome look with an edgy undercut.
2Nicole Kidman
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.
3Selena Gomez
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.
4Jennifer Lopez
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.
5Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani wore a Balmain blazer to the 2012 awards, upstaging the rest of her No Doubt bandmates.
6Lady Gaga
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.
7Rihanna
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.
8Zendaya
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.
9Kendall Jenner
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.
10Selena Gomez
At the 2015 American Music Awards, a decidedly more grown-up Selena Gomez appeared in a front-slit Givenchy dress drenched in red paillettes.
