Taylor Swift has kicked off her week with a rare political post on social media, and at the American Music Awards she continued the conversation by encouraging fans to vote in the upcoming midterm elections.
Swift won artist of the year at the fan-voted show on Tuesday in Los Angeles, beating out Drake, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons and Post Malone for the top prize.
"This award and every single award given out tonight were voted on by the people, and you know what else is voted on by the people," she said, "The midterm elections on November 6."
Swift had announced on Sunday that she was voting for Tennessee's Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen, breaking her long-standing refusal to discuss anything politics.
Swift kicked off the AMAs with a performance of "I Did Something Bad," while Cardi B picked up the night's first award, favourite hip-hop/rap artist, which she dedicated to her daughter.
The rapper hit the stage to give a festive and colourful performance of her No. 1 hit, "I Like It," where she was joined by J Balvin and Bad Bunny, who was wheeled onstage inside a shopping cart.
Like Cardi B's performance, rising newcomer Ella Mai also won over the crowd when she sang the year's biggest R&B hit, "Boo'd Up," starting the performance as she walked down the aisle of the Microsoft Theater.
Others who shined onstage included R&B singer Ciara, who showed off her skilled dance moves and was joined by a fierce Missy Elliott.
Carrie Underwood was in perfect form vocally, and Camila Cabello - who won new artist of the year - gave a touching and vocally impressive performance of the ballad "Consequences," earning her a standing ovation.
The three-hour show closed with a rousing tribute to Aretha Franklin, who died in August. Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans were among the musicians who paid tribute to the Queen of Soul's gospel roots and her iconic album, "Amazing Grace".
Rapper-singer XXXTentacion, who was fatally shot in June, was also honoured: He won favourite soul/R&B album for his 2017 debut, "17." It was days after he was named best new artist at the BET Hip-Hop Awards.
Post Malone, who wore a baby blue suit and performed, won favourite pop/rock male artist, Underwood was named favourite country female artist, Khalid picked up favourite soul/R&B male artist, and Kane Brown won favourite country male artist.
Other performers included Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Shawn Mendes and twenty one pilots.
