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Home • News

2008 American Music Awards

2008 American Music Awards
By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020
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01
Take A Bow

Rihanna may have taken home two AMA’s, but the pop star definitely gets an award for turning heads with her unparalleled style and edgy elegance.

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
AP Photo
02
Triple Threat

Nineteen-year-old Chris Brown proved to be the night’s biggest winner, collecting three awards: Favorite Pop/Rock Male, Favorite Soul/R&B Male and the coveted top honor, Artist of the Year.

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
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03
Center Stage

Newcomer Leona Lewis wows the crowd with a selection from her debut album at the 2008 American Music Awards.

2008 American Music Awards
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04
Carey On

Mariah Carey rocks the house as only she can at this year’s AMA’s.

2008 American Music Awards
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05
Strong Black Women

Queen Latifah and opera singer Kathleen Battle joined Alicia Keys as she ended the night with a spirited performance of her single "Superwoman.”

2008 American Music Awards
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06
No More Drama

There were no temper tantrums for Kanye West since he picked up his first-ever AMA for Favorite Male Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for “Graduation.” During his acceptance speech, he claimed to wake up every morning, thinking about which stereotypes to break. He lowered his tempo and delivered a modest performance of his new single “Heartless.”

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
AP Photo
07
Superwoman

Alicia Keys, draped in a purple gown, led the show with five nominations. “As I Am,” her third studio album, earned her two awards, Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Album.

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
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08
Year of the Gentleman

Backed by an eight-piece band and surrounded by dancers, Ne-Yo jolted the audience with his high-octane medley of “Miss Independent” and “Closer.”

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
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09
Ladies First

Queen Latifah, who was sporting long honey-blonde tresses, joined her fellow siren and on-screen sister Alicia Keys for the final performance in which she paid tribute to superwomen, including Jennifer Hudson’s deceased mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson.

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
AP Photo
10
Mariah’s Mr. Right

Mariah’s hubby, Nick Cannon, who’s more than ten years her junior, kissed his wife’s hand before she belted out her new single “I Stay in Love.” Prior to her performance, Carey was honored with an award for her historic career achievements—she’s the only solo artist with the most songs to hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 100 and she’s spent more weeks at No. 1 than any other artist.

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
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11
Suited Up

A dapper Terrence Howard presented Mariah Carey with her special achievement award for surpassing one of the most enduring chart records in Billboard history, Elvis Presley’s 17 No. 1’s.

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
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12
In Living Color

Jordin Sparks added a splash of color with a canary yellow flirty frock. The “American Idol” alum took home Favorite Artist for Adult Contemporary Music.

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
AP Photo
13
Just Like a Foxx

Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx, whose new album, “Intuition,” is slated to hit shelves December 16, presented the first award to Rihanna for Favorite Soul/R&B Female.

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
AP Photo
14
Single Ladies’ Anthem

Although Beyoncé, sans Jay-Z, didn’t make a showstopping red-carpet entrance—the duo recently topped Forbes’ Top Earning Power Couple list with a combined earning of $162 million—Mrs. Carter and her all-girl band rocked the house with her chart-topping tune “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).”

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
AP Photo
15
Two-Time Winner

This Barbados-born beauty was almost inseparable from Chris Brown until she took center stage to accept the first trophy of the night for Favorite Soul/R&B Female; Rihanna also outshined Alicia Keys and Mariah for Favorite Pop/Rock Female. She later traded in her soft hue-toned ruffle layered dress for a black leather corset, chains and a metallic eye patch to perform “Rehab.”

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
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16
In the House

Plus-size model and TV personality Toccara was on hand to see music’s biggest stars.

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
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17
British Import

Leona Lewis, the British pop and R&B singer, made her AMA debut with a performance of “Better in Time.”

See your favorite stars and celeb hunks in our new photo gallery ‘Star Gazing.’ »

2008 American Music Awards
AP Photo