LOS ANGELES—I always know when Thanksgiving is right around the corner, because the American Music Awards always air like a few days before the biggest feast we know.  The 2014 AMA’s kicked off awards season as some would call it, as some of the biggest names in the music industry headed to Los Angeles to celebrate. For the second time in a row, rapper Pit Bull hosted the festivities.

You know how I say there are some award shows that really don’t need a host? Well the AMA’s is one of those shows. Just have people announce the next musical act or hand out the awards. The in-between filler just drags the show if you ask me.

So what powerhouses hit the stage this year? Well Taylor Swift performed her newest hit “Blank Space” for the first time, Iggy Azalea and Jennifer Lopez just had to show everyone their “Booty” and Sam Smith wants you to “Stay.”

There were loads of performances at the big shindig held at the Nokia Theatre, but none of the performances were explosive in my opinion.  Taylor Swift sorta got the crowd going during her opening of the show, but the theatrics didn’t live up to the hype. It might have been more fun to see her perform her infectious hit “Shake It Off.”

She did have one of those OMG moments when she was presented with the Award of Excellence by the one true diva Diana Ross. Yes, it was a moment that everyone at home and in the audience was talking about.  If I had to highlight two performances that I enjoyed the most it had to be Fergie returning to the stage, after being absent for what seems like years to sing her hit “La La La.” The other performance would be by a trio of ladies as Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj sang their hit “Bang Bang.”

I’ll be the first to say it; those three ladies had the most energy on stage in my opinion, next to Imagine Dragons.  The ceremony was closed out by the highly anticipated performance of Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea singing their hit “Booty.” Were things on stage quite steamy, yes indeed, but I expected so much more for a performance that was being touted as a must-see. I have to point out the stage set-up seemed very similar to that of pop star Beyonce’s hit “Partition.”

The big winner of the night was One Direction who took home three awards including Artist of the Year. That was quite surprising, as I was certain Beyonce, Katy Perry or Luke Bryan, who all had stellar years were far more deserving. That only further shows the discrepancy between fan voting and an elite voting group.

A full list of last night’s winners can be viewed below:

-Artist of the Year: One Direction

-Favorite New Artist: Five Seconds of Summer

-Favorite Pop/Rock Album: One Direction “Midnight Memories”

-Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album: Iggy Azalea “The New Classic”

-Favorite Country Album: Bradley Gilbert “Just As I Am”

-Favorite Pop Rock Band, Duo, or Group: One Direction

-Favorite Pop Rock Male: Sam Smith

-Favorite Pop/Rock Female: Katy Perry

-Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist: Iggy Azalea

-Favorite Country Male: Luke Bryan

-Favorite Alternative Artist: Imagine Dragons