Blonde ambition reigned supreme at the American Music Awards as two of the country's favourite flaxen-haired bombshells emerged triumphant. Mariah Carey and Gwen Stefani were both basking in glory on Tuesday night after being named winners in two of the event's most prestigious categories.
The Glitter star made a characteristically sizzling impression when she opened the show by performing her hit Don't Forget About Us in a sequinned silver number slashed to the waist. She had to quickly change out of her stage costume, and into an equally risqué black evening gown, after winning best female R&B artist, the first gong of the night.
Mariah also made the shortlist for best female pop artist, but it was her Californian colleague who took the glory in that section. Gwen, who had just stepped off stage after performing a duet with Pharrell Williams, seemed positively taken aback when her name was called out.
"What did I win?" asked the singer as she rushed to the podium with her monitor earpiece still in place. "I guess whatever I won I just want to say thank you to the fans, especially all my girls. It's just outrageous!"
The night's other big winners seemed a little less flustered, but no less delighted, when they stepped up to receive their trophies. Among the artists given reason to celebrate at the LA prizegiving were Coldplay, Destiny's Child, the Black Eyed Peas, Will Smith and Missy Elliot. It fell to four of the industry's elder statesman to close the show, however, with The Rolling Stones giving a spirited rendition of It's Only Rock 'n' Roll.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
