With a 3 hour awards show filled with so many musical acts, you can bet the every artist in that building was hoping to make a mark onstage. Despite a lackluster crowd there were some enjoyable performances at this years AMAs.

Opening the 2009 American Music Awards stage was the woman everyone’s been rooting for as of late-Janet Jackson. Janet gave it all she had, as she left viewers more than entertained with her medley performance of signature songs “Control” “If” “Miss You Much” “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” and then switching it to her most recent single “Make Make”. The performance couldn’t have ended better as J.J. finished off with the joyful “Together Again”.

No one can compare to theatrics of Lady Gaga. The big question is would she top if her bloody performance at the 2009 MTV Music Awards? Gaga wearing one of her usual extravagant getup’s, delighted the crowd with her pop charged single “Bad Romance”. Gaga then hopped over to the piano surrounded by flames and violins singing “Speechless” off her new sophomore album The Fame Monster.

Whitney Houston

The highlight of the night went to Ms. Whitney Houston. The singer dressed in a elegant white gown, pulled heartstrings from the audiences as she performed her emotional ballad “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”. The musical legend received a roaring applause as she the thanked the crowd.

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

The duo of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys teamed up onstage for the Billboard Top 3 Hit “Empire State of Mind”, Alicia later took the stage again for her own single “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart”.

Jennifer Lopez introduced audiences to her “Louboutins”. Lopez dressed as a boxer took a bit daring move as she leaped off a dancer’s back- taking a bit of a fall in the process. But the Latin diva quickly hopped up like a pro and excited the stage like a champ.

Respected Idol winner Kelly Clarkson was also in attendance yesterday night. Kelly’s breathtaking performance her haunting fourth single “Already Gone” was one the true performances of the night. And another Idol Winner, Adam Lambert left his mark when he closed the show with his risque televised performance.

The big winner at the 2009 American Music Awards was the bubbly Taylor Swift. The country gal from Pennsylvania nabbed two of the biggest categories of the night: “Country Female Artist of the Year” and “Artist of the Year”. Taylor Swift via satellite thanked the label, fans and family.

Images: Getty

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