The 2019 American Music Awards Red Carpet Ranked Best To Worst

The 2019 American Music Awards were broadcast live on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. With performances from Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Shania Twain, Lizzo, Selena Gomez, and Green Day (yes, Green Day), it was truly a night for music lovers who listen to the radio all over the dial.

However, just like with any A-List event, the night kicked off on the red carpet, where the stars showed off their fashion prowess or lack thereof. And this year's American Music Awards was no different. Carrie Underwood and Billy Porter never disappoint. Halsey was beamed down from another planet. Taylor Swift was classy as always. Post Malone apparently thought it was the CMAs. And Billie Eilish looked ready for Thanksgiving. 

Are you ready? Take a seat, get comfortable and let's revisit the best and worst dressed stars at the 2019 American Music Awards. Side note: We'd really like to know the physics behind Billy Porter's hat.

Marking her first live television performance in two years, Selena Gomez opened the 2019 American Music Awards with an emotional rendition of "Lose You to Love Me" and "Look at Her Now." But before that, her red carpet look also turned heads. She kept it simple and gorgeous with a lime green strapless Versace mini dress and a diamond choker (via ET).

Gomez took to Instagram before the ceremony to express her excitement about being back on AMAs stage. "Feels good to be back. Thank you to my entire team and to my fans that stand by me," she wrote, adding, "All of this is for you and because of you. excited for this chapter #sg2 @amas"

Lizzo's talent garnered her three nominations at the 2019 American Music Awards, but her tiny Valentino purse stole the show. "There's only three in the world," Lizzo revealed on the red carpet (via People). So what does one carry in that thing? "I got tampons in here, a flask of tequila, condoms," the "Juice" singer joked.

The purse almost overshadowed her ruffled, coral, one-shouldered mini dress, and in an Instagram post before the festivities started, Lizzo explained the real reason for carrying the miniature bag. "@maisonvalentino bag big enough for my f***s to give," she wrote. "Big body b**ch in a Valentin-H* custom look for @amas." Never change, Lizzo. Never change.

The queen of the night, Taylor Swift, wore a custom (and very sparkly) Julien Macdonald dress paired with over-the-knee black boots (via ET). An outfit change came almost immediately after she walked the red carpet, but can we take a moment to appreciate this elegant and classic wardrobe choice?

Okay, moving on. Despite being in a public feud with shady music manager Scooter Braun over the rights to her music, Swift hopped into a gold ensemble to perform a medley of her greatest hits with a little help from Halsey, Camila Cabello, and (accompanying dance by) Misty Copeland.

The "Lover" singer went on to win the Favorite Album – Pop/Rock award, Artist of the Year, and the Artist of the Decade award. With her three wins, Swift broke Michael Jackson's record to become the most-decorated artist in American Music Awards history with 26 career wins. Not a bad night. 

The American Music Awards was without Shania Twain for the last sixteen years, and her 2019 return was, well, dramatic. According to People, the country legend wore a "silky beige shirt with flared sleeves and built-in neck scarf" with "high-waisted sequin mermaid-style skirt featuring a long train and sheer, tulle appliqués." You might have to Google a few of those words. 

And the hair? Very high. But Twain was there to perform, and perform she did. After doing acoustic versions of Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off," Post Malone's "Wow," Drake's "God's Plan," and more, Twain brought the house down with her biggest hits. You know the ones. You're probably singing them now.

How can you not love Lil Nas X? If you don't love him, at least respect the fact that he'll boldly go where no man has gone before: a neon green tuxedo, a zebra print shirt with matching opera gloves. According to Vanity Fair, you can thank designer Christopher John Rogers for this righteous fit.

The rapper even got to show off the outfit onstage after he won Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop for "Old Town Road (Remix)." Perhaps moved by the playful feeling that only accepting an award while wearing what was essentially a Dumb & Dumber wardrobe piece could impart, he said in his acceptance speech, "I don't want to get too deep, but whether you're 15, 30, 55, whatever, and you feel like your moment has passed ... to know that it's waiting for you. You know?" We know now, Nas. Thanks. 

According to Popsugar, Camila Cabello strutted down American Music Awards red carpet in an "Oscar de la Renta dress with a mesh bustier bodice and sweeping tulle overlay, which was finished with origami-like appliqué." While we're unclear what a few of those words mean, we're very clear on the fact the "Señorita" singer looked absolutely stunning.

She took home the award for Collaboration of the Year with Shawn Mendes. "Thank you so much to all of our fans! Thank you guys so much for supporting the song," Cabello while accepting the trophy (vie E!). "Shout out to Shawn's mom Karen who's watching in Toronto!"

If history has proved anything, it's that when Carrie Underwood graces a red carpet, her legs (or leg) will be prominently featured. Can you blame her? And her 2019 American Music Awards ensemble didn't disappoint. In a sparkly purple gown featuring a thigh-high slit, Underwood stunned with simple elegance.

The country music legend won the awards for Favorite Album – Country, for Cry Pretty, and Favorite Female Artist – Country, then took to Instagram to thank her fans and to give a few shoutouts. "Tonight was a dream! Thank you, fans, for voting...and for the love and support that you CONSTANTLY give!' she captioned the photo of her holding the awards. "@amas I also want to say what an honor it was to be nominated with @kelseaballerini @marenmorris @danandshay and @kanebrown_music ! You guys are the best! Annnnnnd @shaniatwain is the Queen!!!" Gotta thank the leg next time, Carrie.

Pose actor Billy Porter taking red carpet risks is nothing new. But is it a risk, or is Porter living so far in the future that our brains are unable to comprehend? Whatever the case, Porter never fails to bring his dramatic flair to any red carpet he sees.

At the 2019 American Music Awards (via Yahoo!), that flair came in the form of a Thom Browne cape jacket and gown, as well as a headpiece from Stephen Jones Millinery. This ensemble is not for mere mortals. We couldn't pull this off if we tried. 

You can't go wrong with an all-blue power suit. Ciara proved that when she walked the red carpet in a Balmain oversized blazer and bell-bottoms. Pulling double duty as host and performer for the 2019 American Music Awards, the "Goodies" singer couldn't be contained to just one outfit.

"This is a girls dream. I get to change outfits. There are at least five changes. It's not too crazy, but It's the right amount," she told E! News before the show. "There are going to be so many performers that night so we have to make it all happen you know but I get to squeeze in some really cool moments of fashion that I'm excited about." Ciara didn't disappoint.

Man, have we missed Christina Aquilera. Strolling the red carpet in Jean Paul Gaultier gown with attached hood, she really made a statement with those exaggerated shoulders and that belt. Dare we say angelic?

But the "Beautiful" singer didn't do all this just to walk the red carpet. Later in the evening she performed the emotional "Fall On Me" with A Great Big World. "When you get absorbed in the business, which I've been in this for a long time, I think you stray away from who you really are," she told Billboard before the broadcast. "So this song tonight, 'Fall on Me,' is such a beautiful song. I have such a great time with them."

During The 2019 American Music Awards, 13 Reasons Why star Katherine Langford took to the stage with her Knives Out co-star Jamie Lee Curtis to present the award for Collaboration of the Year to real-life couple Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello.

But on the red carpet? She almost blended in. With red ruffles and red eye makeup, Langford wore the most glamorous camouflage ever. You can't tell in these pictures, because she's standing on the carpet, so just imagine it to make this joke work. 

Actress Jenna Dewan was mom-to-be goals on the 2019 American Music Awards red carpet with a form-fitting pink dress that accentuated her growing baby bump. The Step Up star, who is currently expecting her second child, and her first with boyfriend Steve Kazee, went solo to the event because she loves it so much. "I love this award show, I come every time I'm invited," she said on the AMAs red carpet live show on Twitter (via People). "I'm so excited. Selena, I'm very excited about. Dua Lipa, I'm thrilled about."

Dewan also made waves during the show when fans accused the pregnant star of throwing shade at Camila Cabello during her performance of "Señorita" with Shawn Mendes. In a now-deleted clip (via ET), Dewan was allegedly caught on camera whispering to stylist Brad Goreski, "She's always extra" during the PDA-packed scene on stage. 

In an Instagram Story on her way home from the ceremony, Dewan set the record straight. "I'm getting a lot of text messages from people wondering if I was shading Camila. No! I love her, I love her so much. I'm such a big fan of hers," Dewan explained in the video (via People). "I don't understand what that's about but no, I love her, love her, love her."

"I just really wanted to go for like, kind of a Jessica Rabbit type of vibe," rapper Megan Thee Stallion told ET on The 2019 American Music Awards red carpet. Ladies and gentlemen, mission accomplished. Hot Girl Summer has now been extended to Hot Girl Fall.

She was there to present Best Rap song, but the "Cash Sh*t" singer also dropped some breaking news. A Megan Thee Stallion and Lizzo collaboration is on the way. "We're already working on some stuff," Megan revealed. "So I'm super excited about it coming out next year." Is anyone else clutching their tiny purse right now?

The Good Place is ending, but there's a silver lining. Jameela Jamil is not. And we're positive only she could have pulled off a sequined zebra-stripe dress. She was there to present the New Artist of the Year award to Billie Eilish, but she previously got some love from the AMAs Artist of the Decade for promoting body neutrality.

"And I think now, thank God we've had MeToo movements and moments where we're looking at ourselves as a society and we're looking at internalised misogyny. We're looking at the way we treat critiquing women's bodies," Taylor Swift said during an interview on Apple's Beats 1 (via People). "We have amazing women out there like Jameela Jamil saying, 'I'm not trying to spread body positivity. I'm trying to spread body neutrality where I can sit here and not think about what my body is looking like.'" That's some high praise.

A ruffled floral gown. Bleached eyebrows. Lots of eyeshadow colors. Halsey definitely made a statement with her 2019 American Music Awards red carpet look. The statement? We're not sure exactly.

After winning the Favorite Song – Pop/Rock song award for "Without Me," Halsey wasn't subtle on stage either. According to People, she seemingly referenced her recent Grammy snub. "I believed these awards. When I was a kid, I used to believe that this award was the ultimate validating and that I'd come up here and laugh and cry and my fans at home would rejoice because we accomplished this thing together," Halsey said, adding, "But the truth is I am older now and I'm also an artist and apparently I'm doing okay. But most of these awards really aren't what they seem at all."

Alyson Stoner, better known as Missy Elliot's backup dancer, wore a veritable jewelry store to the 2019 American Music Awards. According to The Hollywood Reporter, not only did Stoner's Malan Breton-designed suit take six months to create, but covered in Swarovski crystals, the ensemble is worth a whopping $2.4 million. Stylist Graham Cruz provided the metallic top underneath.

When you're rocking a $2.4 million suit, it's easy to start feeling yourself. And the dancer most definitely was. "Oh heyyy #AMAs," Stoner tweeted with a heart-eyes emoji. "Quick flex on the carpet, and now I'm heading inside for a night of music and dance! So happy to be here... bringing everyone closer to the music, no matter where you are!"

We weren't really feeling Post Malone's Texas used car salesman get up, but the "Sunflower" rapper looked like he was having the time of his life — especially with his plastic cup of beer.

However, before the night was over, Malone had an even better time after winning Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop."I'm not too good at talking in front of people but I just want to say thank you very much to everybody who has shown love and support. Honestly, words can't express how thankful and grateful I am for everything that y'all have shown me," he told the crowd with beer in hand (via E! News). "We busted our a** for it, so it feels good to walk away. We love you very much. And I love grapes so thank you so much." We also love grapes.

The Handmaid's Tale but with more Burberry plaid? A bonnet hat with crystal mesh? Amish couture? We're not exactly sure the look Billie Eilish was going for here, but we've learned not to think too deeply on her fashion choices. She's unique! She's quirky! But, hey, at least she always looks comfortable. That's something.

"So this is upcycle for Burberry, so it's all, like, redone Burberry by Burberry," she told ET on the red carpet. They made it for me. It's all, like, old pieces made into new." Naturally, the Twitter reactions came in hot. 

"Looking like a whole thanksgiving tablecloth with a pilgrim bonnet on, way to be festive, thank you Billie Eilish!" one user tweeted.

Youtube star and makeup artist Patrickstarrr was giving us gold Ursula vibes on The 2019 American Music Awards red carpet, but his flamboyant style is not just dress up. 

"It's not out of vanity that I wear these outfits — it's important for me to represent a community. I had an actor approach me with his daughter, who was about four years old, on the red carpet recently," he told The Guardian in July 2019. "She was just like: "Wow, I like your dress!" I thought it was cool that someone so young could admire a 29-year-old, plus-size Filipino in a dress at a Disney premiere."