One Direction Takes the Stage for AMAs 2015 Performance

REUTERS/David McNew TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Liam Payne, from left, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles of One Direction pose in the press room with the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, November 22, 2015, in Los Angeles.

Nicki Minaj was also a double victor, taking home favorite artist and album-rap/hip-hop.

We’re not sure it it’s because the theatrical release of “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” is showing within a month’s time on December 18, but the “Star Wars” tribute by Pentatonix really awakened the force with its sheer awesomeness, made even better by a bonus introduction from Han Solo himself, Harrison Ford!

The surprises weren’t just with the awards: Jennifer Lopez opened the show with a performance that highlighted her strong vocals when she sang a toned down version of her past hit, “Waiting for Tonight“.

Despite a slight decline from last year’s American Music Awards, they annual awards helped deliver ABC its highest rated Sunday of the fall season. The boyband took home the prize for artist of the year at the ceremony in Los Angeles, beating the likes of Ariana Grande, Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran.

Dion sang Edith Piaf’s classic French ode Hymne à l’amour in memory of those lost in the terror attacks on Paris.

Dedicating her performance to the audience and music, Jennifer Lopez said, “Tonight’s not about me, tonight is about the music”, she said when she came out. Penatonix harmonized to a melody of the “Star Wars” score.

Bieber also won the AMA for best collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo for “Where Are U Now”, which he performed when he closed the three-hour awards show.

The other big victor of the night was British boyband One Direction, which received the trophy for Artist of the Year and the Favourite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock. Jared Leto gave an emotional speech on behalf of the AMAs, remembering victims of terrorist attacks around the world as he called for peace. She also impressively sang in almost a cappella form.

Enrique Iglesias was the big victor in the Favorite Latin Artist Award at the American Music Awards. Performers included Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, Alanis Morissette, 5 Seconds of Summer and Carrie Underwood, who won favorite female artist-country. Meanwhile, Swift won the song of the year award for her track “Blank Space“. He won favorite male artist – pop/rock.

While numerous headlines will no doubt focus on the diabetes-inducing stage makeout session between Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor, the show’s saving grace was it’s packed schedule of musical performances.