Sparkle and Shine Were Prevailing Trends at the AMAs

Get the details on the diamond looks, and the performers who rocked them.

By |

After a seven-month postponement from its originally scheduled date in April 2020, this year’s American Music Awards (aka the AMAs) finally took place last night at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater. Though the event itself proved quite different from its usual presentation, nominees and guests embraced the opportunity to express personal style with unabashed individualism.

There were no shrinking violets in sight, especially when it came to the night’s display of sparkling jewels; from Megan Thee Stallion’s explicit, statement-making rings to J. Lo’s luminous diamond earrings, musicians and performers used jewelry to complement their innately big personas.Read on for all the details on the show’s best diamond looks, and the stars who rocked them. Without a doubt, Taraji P. Henson owned the event, thanks to her ten (That’s right, ten!) show-stopping ensembles, which she created in collaboration with her stylist Jason Bolden. Thefirst, a swingy, silver sequined minidress by Giorgio Armani Privé and beaded, turban-like head wrap, went for all-out glam—and delivered. Diamond-encrusted Roberto Coin hoop earrings and a Tiffany & Co. ring on each hand—one an enchanting green tourmaline and diamond stunner, the other a pink sapphire center with diamond halo— perfectly played up the high-wattage look. Of course on the red carpet, Henson also had the obvious “accessory of the moment”: a face shield.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: In this image released on November 22, Taraji P. Henson speaks onstage for the 2020 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for dcp)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: In this image released on November 22, Taraji P. Henson attends the 2020 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre /AMA2020/Getty Images for dcp)

Other looks throughout the night included a shorter-than-short, sequined shift dress by Pyer Moss; a graphic white-and-black gown by AREA accessorized with two white gold diamond tennis necklaces by Gismondi 1754; and a lilac slip dress elegantly-paired with a Tiffany & Co., graduated link necklace.

J Lo. also took the style cue to go forth and shine—to an exceptional degree. (Who would expect anything less from the multi-hyphenate superstar?) Exuding all the vibes of an intergalactic goddess, her rhinestone-crusted two-piece by Balmain featured a skirt with a nearly-hip-grazing slit and was enhanced by Luminous Diamonds jewelry. Dripping in drop earrings made of 24 fluorescent diamonds totaling 4.3 carats, and a matching 4 carat cage-like diamond ring, J.Lo’s glow was otherworldly especially against her enviably dewy skin.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: In this image released on November 22, Jennifer Lopez attends the 2020 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre /AMA2020/Getty Images for dcp)

Defining style trends throughout the night included plenty of sparkle and shine, asymmetrical gowns with thigh-baring slits and diamond-encrusted hoop earrings as a more youthful alternative to studs and chandelier-style drop earrings. 

The Walking Dead actress Christian Serratos, glammed and bow-tied up in Tom Ford, kept her hair and beauty look sleek and pulled back to show off her stunning set of hoops by Forevermark Diamonds.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: In this image released on November 22, Christian Serratos attends the 2020 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre /AMA2020/Getty Images for dcp)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: In this image released on November 22, Christian Serratos, jewelry detail, attends the 2020 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre /AMA2020/Getty Images for dcp)

Becky G. who took home the award for Favorite Female Latin artist, pulled off all three of the night’s major trends: a leg-baring white and silver embellished gown by Ralph & Russo, a set of diamond hoop earrings, and hair styled in throwback old Hollywood glamour.

THE 2020 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS – “The 2020 American Music Awards”, hosted by Taraji P. Henson aired from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, SUNDAY, NOV. 22 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC via Getty Images) BECKY G

Supermodel Cara Delevingne brought the shimmy and shimmer in a sleek silver Dolce & Gabbana pant suit, which she paired with a see-through Dior corset top, a diamond star pendant necklace and matching Dior rings.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: In this image released on November 22, Cara Delevingne attends the 2020 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre /AMA2020/Getty Images for dcp)

While the AMAs brought plenty of men in suits, it was Nelly, one of the night’s performers, who really brought the bling with his trademark 20 carat diamond stud earrings, a diamond tennis bracelet and a diamond watch by Patek Philippe.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: In this image released on November 22, Nelly performs onstage for the 2020 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/AMA2020/Getty Images for dcp)

But it was Megan Thee Stallion who, without actually saying anything, perhaps conveyed the most memorable words of the night, thanks to her “F—- YOU” rings. Designed by Elliot Eliantte, each 14 karat white gold ring comprised 18 carats’ worth of diamonds, for a total of 126 carats (!!!) The set, valued at approximately $200,000 was on full display when the rapper, in a neon-green mini dress by Area, accepted her award for Favorite Rap/Hip Song. We can’t wait to see what she opts to spell out next in 2021.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: In this image released on November 22, Megan Thee Stallion accepts the award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Song onstage for the 2020 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for dcp)