By Megan Riedlinger
8:24am PST, Nov 18, 2019
Tracee Ellis Ross is returning to the American Music Awards stage on Nov. 24, 2019! The "Black-ish" star is hosting the show for the third time after previously serving as host in 2017 and 2018. And with Tracee — who set the record for most outfit changes during an AMAs when she served up 12 looks during the 2018 show — helming the ship, we know it won't be boring! In honor of this year's show, Wonderwall.com is rounding up some of the most notable hosts in AMAs history from '70s rockers to comedians to supermodels and more. Keep reading to check them out…
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Originally, the American Music Awards had hosts who represented different music genres. The show's first hosts went along with this model back in 1974 at the first AMAs ceremony — pop singer Helen Reddy, country crooner Roger Miller and Motown star Smokey Robinson. The following year, Helen and Smokey returned as hosts, flanked by Sly Stone.
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In 1991, the AMAs tapped an actor to host for the very first time. Comedian Keenen Ivory Wayans took over duties that year.
In 2016, supermodel Gigi Hadid served as the host alongside comedian Jay Pharoah. And like her stylish predecessor Jennifer Lopez, she changed outfits multiple times with a final tally of five.
Here's an interesting mix: In 1994, Meat Loaf, Reba McEntire and Will Smith hosted the AMAs together. Whitney Houston was the big winner that year, taking home seven awards. Host Reba took home the favorite country female artist prize.
In 1978, country star Glen Campbell — who'd previously hosted in 1977 with Helen Reddy, Lou Rawls and Electric Light Orchestra — returned for hosting duties. This time, his co-hosts were David Soul and Natalie Cole.
Glen Campbell hosted the AMAs again in 1979, joined by Donna Summer and Helen Reddy. Donna also took home the favorite female disco artist trophy that year.
Lionel Richie served as AMAs host two years in a row in 1984 and 1985. He also performed his hit songs "All Night Long (All Night)" and a medley of "Still" and "Lady" in 1984. In 1985, he took home four awards.
Comedian Sinbad hosted the AMAs twice! During his 1996 duties, we saw one of the strangest moments in American Music Awards history when Garth Brooks refused his artist of the year award. The country singer claimed the honor should have really gone to fellow nominee Hootie and the Blowfish. The following year, Sinbad returned to host again and pretended to be Toni Braxton's backup dancer as the singer opened the show.
Another star who hosted the American Music Awards multiple times? Diana Ross, who did the honor back to back in 1986 and 1987.
Here's an odd duo: In 1999, it was singer Brandy and actress Melissa Joan Hart who hosted the award ceremony. That year, Garth Brooks took home the artist of the year prize, beating out Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Backstreet Boys and Metallica.
Late night TV star Jimmy Kimmel is no stranger to hosting duties. The funnyman emceed the AMAs in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008. He's also hosted the Emmys, the ESPYs and the Academy Awards.
At the 1981 AMAs, fans got a trio of hosts: two from the country world — Crystal Gayle and Mac Davis — plus R&B star Teddy Pendergrass.
Can't touch this! In 1992, MC Hammer served as the host of the American Music Awards. He took home favorite rap/hip-hop artist that year too.
The whole Osbourne clan — Jack Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne — ran the show back in 2003. At the time, they were huge reality TV stars thanks to their eponymous MTV series. Madonna took home artist of the year that night.
1998 saw Drew Carey step in to host the AMAs. The big winners that year were the Spice Girls, who performed their song "Too Much" and won three trophies.
Pitbull served as the AMAs host in 2013 and served up the best ratings in four years at the time, scoring 12.93 million viewers. He returned to host again in 2014.
