Country crossover sensation Faith Hill was the top winner at the 28th Annual American Music Awards on Monday night, walking away with three trophies but not before letting the audience in on her husband’s dirty secret.
The singing beauty left an impression on the three-hour-long show with what perhaps was the strangest, or raunchiest, comment made during her acceptance speech for the Favorite Female Country Artist award.
“I was going to wear my husband’s underwear, but it had a hole in it,” Hill said while laughing and pointing to her husband, country singer Tim McGraw, who also took home an award in the Favorite Male Country Artist category.
Hill also won awards in the Country Album (“Breathe”) and in the Female Pop/Rock Artist categories. In the pop/rock category, Hill beat out Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Celine Dion.
Toni Braxton Rockers Creed followed suit, as did R&B favorite Toni Braxton, each taking home two trophies apiece. Creed nabbed the award for Pop/Rock Album (“Human Clay”) and Alternative Artist while Braxton’s awards in the Female R&B and R&B Album (“Heat”) categories set the singer on the road to a strong career comeback after bankruptcy and contractual problems.
Hosted by reigning pop queen Spears and veteran rapper LL Cool J, the annual music awards show also doubled as a platform for the young and sexy stars to show off as much skin as possible on network television.
Spears kicked off the evening’s peep show, ripping off a conservative dress held together with Velcro to reveal a barely there miniskirt and tube top. Jennifer Lopez followed suit during her performance as did R&B newcomer Pink and, um, shock rocker Marilyn Manson.
Ricky Martin gave a remarkably tame performance with literally no bon-bon shaking while Spears’ rocked-out version of her latest single “Stronger” — not to mention her obligatory showcasing of more skin — heated things up.
Aerosmith’s performance of their new single “Jaded” was clearly the standout performance compared to the bland offerings of 3 Doors Down, Marilyn Manson and Pink.
A special Award of Merit went to Janet Jackson, which was preceded by a retrospective of the entertainer’s acting and music career. ‘N Sync took home the first-ever Internet Fan Award presented by William “Mr. Priceline.com” Shatner, no less, but lost out to boy band rivals Backstreet Boys in the Favorite Pop Group category.
Destiny’s Child Multiple Grammy-nominated singing group Destiny’s Child, 3 Doors Down, Dixie Chicks, Dr. Dre, Enrique Iglesias and Kid Rock each took home one award. Rock also made a special appearance on stage to set up a video homage to music artists who died over the past year, a segment that included images of composer/author Steve Allen, veteran pianist Victor Borge and, um, the late Joe C, Rock’s pint-sized, foul-mouthed sidekick.
Eminem Spears, a two-time AMA nominee for the night, went home empty-handed, as did two-time nominee Eminem and three-time nominee Marc Anthony.
Winners were determined by a poll of 20,000 music buyers, with nominees compiled from retail sales and radio airplay data.
