Billie Eilish Wins Favorite Alternative Rock Artist at 2019 American Music Awards
Singer Billie Eilish took home the 2019 trophy for Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock at Sunday's (Nov. 24) 47th Annual American Music Awards. And that was just one of two awards the first-time nominee took home among her six possible chances during the ceremony at Los Angeles' Microsoft Theater.
Eilish also captured the 2019 American Music Award for New Artist of the Year. In the category for alternative rock, however, the singer bested Panic! at the Disco and Imagine Dragons to become this year's Favorite Artist. The young star seemed appreciative when she took the stage to accept — watch the video down toward the bottom of this post.
"Wow, this is so pretty," Eilish said of the award. "I feel like I can't say more to the fans and supporters 'cause, like, you made it all happen, man! I can't believe I'm standing in front of, like — oh my God, I'm, like, shaking."
She continued, "To be in this category, to even be mentioned in this category is insane to me. I grew up being in love with all of you. Everybody in this row, everybody in that row — everybody in this room. And the fact that you guys are all looking at me right now, that's crazy!"
Elsewhere during the 2019 American Music Awards, Eilish was also nominated in the categories for Favorite Music Video, Favorite Social Artist, Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock and Favorite Album - Pop/Rock.
Which certainly seemed a little confusing as far as genre groupings go. The pop star and former country singer Taylor Swift won both awards in the latter two categories, each earmarked for pop and rock combined, whereas crooner Khalid took the trophy for Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock.
But anyone protesting Eilish's inclusion in the alternative rock category may want to check her credentials with Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong. (Eilish previously showed awareness of rock and metal archetypes when she sported a concert shirt combining Type O Negative, Rob Zombie and Cradle of Filth iconography. Days prior, it emerged that her concert merchandise featured a beanie decorated in a manner befitting death metal acts.)
In February, Foo Fighters and Nirvana's Dave Grohl even compared Eilish to the Kurt Cobain-led band. "When I look at someone like Billie Eilish," he said, he's instilled with the feeling that "rock and roll is not close to dead!"
Billie Eilish Wins AMAs' Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock (Nov. 24, 2019)
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