The Fans Have Spoken
Teens win big at American Music Awards
Taylor Swift accepts the favorite country music female artist award at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California, Sunday, November 23, 2008. (Photo: ©Matt Sayles/AP Images)
The youth vote has turned out once again—this time in the world of music. Teen musicians Chris Brown, Rihanna, Jordin Sparks, and Taylor Swift took home American Music Awards (AMA) on Sunday, thanks to millions of fans who voted online.
Chris Brown claimed more AMAs than any other artist. In addition to winning Favorite Male Artist in both the Pop/Rock and Rhythm & Blues (R&B) categories, the 19-year-old was named AMA Artist of the Year.
"I was shocked," Brown told reporters backstage at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. "I'm so thankful and grateful."
Brown shared the spotlight with girlfriend Rihanna. The 19-year-old won Favorite Female Artist in the Pop/Rock and R&B categories.
2007 American Idol winner Jordin Sparks was named Favorite Artist: Adult Contemporary. Teen dreams The Jonas Brothers took T-Mobile Favorite Breakthrough Artist.
Teen singer/songwriter Taylor Swift rounded out the teen award onslaught with her first AMA. The 18-year-old beat out veteran crooner Reba McEntire and superstar Carrie Underwood for Favorite Female Artist in the Country Music category.
"I didn't really think that I had a chance [of] winning," Swift said backstage. "I thought, yes, it's good to be nominated, but I honestly didn't think I was going to win this award. I can't believe that I did. I can't believe that the fans did that for me."
Swift recently sat down with Scholastic Kid Reporter Sydney Rieckoff to talk about her love of music and how she got her start as a professional singer."I knew I wanted to do music when I was a little baby," Swift said."I knew that music was what fascinated me. I would go to the Disney movies and I would hear a song once and know all the words."
Swift turned that early fascination into a wellspring of musical skill. She plays piano and guitar, and writes her own songs. At the age of 17, Taylor became the youngest person to write and sing a No. 1 country single entirely on her own. ("Our Song" spent six consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Country Singles Chart.)
The teen told Scholastic News that hard work and persistence are at the heart of her success. "If you are lucky enough to find something that you love, and you have a shot at being good at it, don't stop, don't put it down," Swift said."It's not always going to be easy but if you stick with it, it will be worth it!"
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