American Music Awards: Bruno Mars Opens the Show With “24K Magic”

Bruno Mars returned to the American Music Awards stage Sunday night, this time as a performer.

The singer opened the show the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles with a performance of his new single, “24K Magic.” Combined with blue neon lights, rhythmic background singers and pyrotechnics, Mars got the audience moving early with his Michael Jackson-style dance moves.

It was Mars’ first AMAs performance, but he did win the AMA trophy for  favorite pop/rock male artist award in 2011. He has been nominated a total of seven times, for favorite pop/rock male artist and favorite adult contemporary artist in 2011; favorite pop/rock male artist and favorite adult contemporary artist and artist of the year in 2013; and then for collab of the year and single of the year in 2015.

Also scheduled to perform at the show are Justin Bieber, Niall Horan, Maroon 5 and Kendrick Lamar, James Bay, Fifth Harmony, Lady Gaga, Green Day, John Legend, Shawn Mendes, Twenty One Pilots, The Weeknd, special duets from The Chainsmokers and Halsey, and Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, and the American Music Award of Merit honoree and performer Sting.

The nominations for the fan-voted awards show, produced by Dick Clark Productions, were revealed last month. Drake leads with a record 13 noms, while Rihanna has seven and Adele and Justin Bieber each have five. Beyonce and The Chainsmokers follow closely behind with four and Bryson Tiller, Twenty One Pilots, Carrie Underwood, Fetty Wap and the Weeknd each have three. Keep up with the latest winners here.

The 2016 American Music Awards, airing on ABC, is executive produced by Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan, with Larry Klein, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco serving as producers.