November 22, 2021
Taylor Swift's busy November continued Sunday night with a pair of victories at the 2021 American Music Awards.
The singer-songwriter won best pop album for "Evermore" and top female pop artist, setting records in both categories.
Swift, 31, has now won best pop album a record four times at the American Music Awards. Her latest win broke a three-way tie with Michael Jackson and Justin Bieber, who have each won the award three times. She previously won for "1989," "Reputation" and "Lover."
When Swift released "Evermore" last December, the record debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart. It's the ninth studio album of her career.
"Thank you so much to the fans," Swift said in her acceptance speech. "[Winning best pop album] is such an amazing honor. The fact that you would do this for 'Evermore.' I've always been so proud of this album."
Swift also became the first woman to win best female pop artist in four consecutive years. Olivia Newton-John and Whitney Houston each won the award four times, but never in a row. This was the sixth time that Swift was named top female pop artist, which already was a record.
The Berks County native also increased her record number of American Music Award victories. It now stands at 34. She broke the record in 2019 when she surpassed Jackson's 26 wins.
Swift's victories came just a week after the release of her re-recorded "Red" album — highlighted by the much-anticipated 10-minute track "All Too Well." She performed the song during her appearance on "Saturday Night Live" earlier this month and used the track as the basis for a short film she wrote and directed.
Swift's three-year-run atop the awards show's biggest category, however, came to an end Sunday night. K-pop group BTS was named artist of the year. It was only the second time that Swift had failed to win the award after being nominated. She previously lost to One Direction in 2015. No musician has won artist of the year more often than Swift, who has captured it six times since 2009.
The biggest winners of the night were BTS, Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion, who all won three awards. The winners were decided through a fan vote.
Philly native Jazmine Sullivan was nominated for three R&B honors but did not win an award. A complete list of winners can be found on Billboard's website.
The 2021 American Music Awards was hosted by Cardi B at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Those who missed the awards show can stream it on Hulu.
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