Autumn in the northern hemisphere signals the arrival of the American Music Awards (the AMAs, for short), the world’s largest fan-voted awards show which, since 2006, has presented its nominees and winners based on streaming, album sales, radio airplay and Billboard charts. 2021 marks its 49th iteration, and sees triple-platinum rapper and fashion darling Cardi B take up the mantle of emcee for the first time in her career.
An impressive debut to be sure, but not the only one to ogle. Indeed, it’s a night of accomplishments for the industry’s finest, dressed in fineries to match. Gen-Z pocket rocket Olivia Rodrigo premieres in the AMAs ring as its leading nominee, boasting seven nominations under her belt for her hit album, Sour. Her outfit of choice? A sequinned, fishtail gown by David Koma, in the same tangy violet as her album cover. Colour and sparkle, of course, are no strangers to the AMAs red carpet, an event which, over the years, has developed a reputation for the wacky and wonderful—this year, Billy Porter fronts the avant-garde force, appearing in teal two-piece with a coordinating umbrella headpiece. Then, there was the aforementioned Cardi B herself, for whom the red carpet was a masquerade—the rapper, donning a gold Schiaparelli mask along with her off-shoulder gown.
Joining Rodrigo on the performing and nomination fronts, on the other hand, are five-time AMA recipient The Weeknd, with six nominations to his name, along with K-Pop phenomenon BTS, Drake, Ariana Grande, and a newly liberated Taylor Swift, fresh off the heels of her Red reinvention.
Below, everything they’re wearing on the 2021 AMAs red carpet.
Olivia Rodrigo wears David Koma at the 2021 American Music Awards.
Cardi B attends the 2021 American Music Awards.
Cardi B wears Schiaparelli at the 2021 American Music Awards.
Cardi B wears Jean Paul Gaultier at the 2021 American Music Awards.
