Flashy performances dominated the 2015 American Music Awards, but some of the flashiest moments happened off camera.
American Music Awards 2015: All Our Coverage
Our Billboard team was all over Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater: on the red carpet, in the VIP area, interviewing stars in our video lounge, and asking questions in the press room — collecting candid backstage moments with Justin Bieber, One Direction, Ariana Grande and many more.
2015 American Music Awards Photos: Red Carpet & More
Check out the best moments you missed below (all times PT):
4:36 p.m.: One Direction arrive backstage.
4:42 p.m.: Justin Bieber comes up to his bus and says hi to Universal Music Publishing Group chairman/CEO Jody Gerson, who boards the bus.
4:50 p.m.: Prince is in the building! He’ll later present favorite album – soul/R&B to The Weeknd, who arrives minutes later with a giant posse.
5 p.m.: Security guard yells to clear the hallway for Bieber.
5:05 p.m.: L.A. Reid and Aaron Rosenberg, attorney for Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez and more, stand in front of a monitor for J.Lo’s opening dance performance.
5:50 p.m.: Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid enter VIP room.
6 p.m.: Crew outside Bieber’s trailer have a laugh over water tank truck being turned away earlier in the day; rehearsal ran behind because of it.
6:04 p.m.: Florida Georgia Line have the perfect place for their favorite duo or group – country AMA. “We’ll probably put this trophy in the man cave,” Tyler Hubbard tells press backstage, while Brian Kelley has his mind on celebrating: “I think we’re gonna get some good food after this. We’re gonna have some wine, some whiskey and some good food.”
6:30 p.m.: Harry Styles scarfs down Chipotle backstage — then swaps shoes with the old guy who One Direction gave its AMA to last year, Ray Fraker. (Read the full story from the 2014 AMAs here.)
7:21 p.m.: Sam Hunt — fresh off his win for new artist of the year — tells the press room he’s happy to represent country music after years of the genre being thought of as “less than.”
7:58 p.m.: After performing “Heartbeat” and winning favorite female artist – country, Carrie Underwood hits the press room in her stunning sequin gown. So how did she navigate the crowded awards show in her long train? “People are respecting the train,” she laughs. “They’re steering clear of the train.”
–Reporting by Katie Atkinson, Everett Brothers, Shirley Halperin and Keith Caulfield
.@5SOS stopped by our spot on #AMAs red carpet — stay tuned for the interview! https://t.co/6DVKjgpa9Z #5SOSonAMAs pic.twitter.com/xZ87M6uD8k
— billboard (@billboard) November 23, 2015
Shoutout from #WomenInMusic honorees @FifthHarmony from the #AMAs red carpet !! pic.twitter.com/r6O38j35Kj
— billboard (@billboard) November 23, 2015
.@KelseaBallerini does her best “Jenny from the block” impression from the #AMAs red carpet pic.twitter.com/8S2XeOjXfF
— billboard (@billboard) November 23, 2015
.@Meghan_Trainor poses with fans on the #AMAs red carpet https://t.co/2jVmFMqNsI pic.twitter.com/ty9nz1vak1
— billboard (@billboard) November 23, 2015
X Factor reunion with @la_reid and @paulaabdul! #AMAs pic.twitter.com/xjkXqgjt6a
— shirleyhalperin (@shirleyhalperin) November 23, 2015
Ariana Grande blows kisses to the #AMAs press room#AriAMAs pic.twitter.com/3WXzKJMYHG
— Katie Atkinson (@ktatkinson) November 23, 2015
Here’s @gwenstefani goin’ bye bye! #AMAs pic.twitter.com/ZhPwNwl9nj
— shirleyhalperin (@shirleyhalperin) November 23, 2015
Sam Hunt and Carrie Underwood hanging out backstage at the #AMAs pic.twitter.com/mBzQ2sv1N2
— billboard (@billboard) November 23, 2015
“People are respecting the train” —@carrieunderwood on her fab #AMAs gown #CarrieOnAMAs pic.twitter.com/BDFEsjyDbQ
— Katie Atkinson (@ktatkinson) November 23, 2015
So deserving of their first ever #AMAs win! @falloutboy pic.twitter.com/twsfoqtQVE
— shirleyhalperin (@shirleyhalperin) November 23, 2015
Harry Styles sticks his tongue out at photographers in #AMAs press room #AMAs1D pic.twitter.com/c53F7mg2J4
— Katie Atkinson (@ktatkinson) November 23, 2015
The iconic @JLo talks rehearsal time for Vegas on our #Snapchat!#JLoAMAspic.twitter.com/DU2IozoSMz
— billboard (@billboard) November 23, 2015
