JENNIFER LOPEZ — Jennifer Lopez performs at the 2018 American Music Awards.

Photo Credit: Getty Images North America via ABC/Emma McIntyre/AMA2018

Music icons and chart-topping heavyweights gathered at Microsoft Theater L.A. Live for the 2018 American Music Awards, one of the year’s biggest evenings in the industry. From the show-stopping Aretha Franklin tribute to Taylor Swift’s record-breaking wins and energy-filled performances by Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, Dua Lipa and others, it was an empowering night for female artists.

TAYLOR SWIFT — Taylor Swift took home four trophies at the 2018 American Music Awards, bringing her record-setting total up to 23.

Photo Credit: Getty Images North America via ABC/John Shearer/AMA2018

On hand for every memory-making moment at this year’s American Music Awards was host Tracee Ellis Ross, star of ABC’s Black-ish, who returned to emcee for the second year in a row, infusing the awards show with her trademark brand of humor, style and musicality.

Photo Credit: Getty Images North America via ABC/Kevin Mazur/AMA2018

The show got off to a sensational start, when Taylor Swift performed her high-energy single “I Did Something Bad.” Strutting across the stage in a glittery bodysuit and thigh-high boots, the singer-songwriter performed the hit with her backup dancers as a cobra and flames appeared onstage.

Photo Credit: Getty Images North America via ABC/John Shearer/AMA2018

The crowd saw a lot more of Taylor Swift throughout the evening, as the talented star ultimately took home four awards — Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Artist Pop/Rock, Favorite Album Pop/Rock (for Reputation), and Tour of the Year. The wins brought Swift’s total number of American Music Awards up to 23, surpassing the previous record-breaker, none other than the late great Whitney Houston, who has 21 trophies to her name.

Photo Credit: Getty Images North America via ABC/Kevin Mazur/AMA2018

Another big winner was Taylor Swift’s tourmate Camila Cabello, who also performed and took home four of her own AMAs, including Favorite Song Pop/Rock, Favorite Music Video and Collaboration of the Year for her hit “Havana,” featuring Young Thug. Cabello was also named New Artist of the Year.

Cardi B performed her single "I Like It" and took home three AMAs. — Cardi B performed her single “I Like It” and took home three AMAs.

Photo Credit: Getty Images North America via ABC/John Shearer/AMA2018

Cardi B also had plenty of reasons to celebrate — three, to be exact, including Favorite Artist Rap/Hip-Hop, Favorite Song Rap/Hip-Hop (for “Bodak Yellow”), and Favorite Song Soul/R&B (for “Finesse” with Bruno Mars, who won big last year). Singer and songwriter Kane Brown tied Cardi B that evening, taking home three awards in the country music category.

Photo Credit: ABC/Image Group LA

Another win for Cardi B was her return to the American Music Awards stage following the July birth of her daughter with husband, rapper Offset. She performed her Latin-inspired, beat-driven hit “I Like It” with J Balvin and Bad Bunny.

BEBE REXHA, JENNIFER LOPEZ, ALEX RODRIGUEZ — Bebe Rexha, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez

Photo Credit: Getty Images For dcp via ABC/Kevin Mazur/AMA2018

Other standout performances came from Jennifer Lopez, who belted out the ballad “Limitless” from her film Second Act (as boyfriend Alex Rodriguez looked on from the audience); Panic! at the Disco, who paid tribute to Queen with their rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” performed live in Sydney, Australia; Carrie Underwood, who’s currently expecting her second child with NHL player Mike Fisher; and Dua Lipa, who turned the stage into a dance party as always.

DUA LIPA — Dua Lipa gave a high-energy performance.

Photo Credit: Getty Images For DCP via ABC/Kevin Mazur/AMA2018

More performers included Mariah Carey; Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign; Benny Blanco with Halsey and Khalid; Ciara and Missy Elliott; Ella Mai; Shawn Mendes and Zedd; and Twenty One Pilots.

Photo Credit: Getty Images North America via ABC/Kevork Djansezian/AMA2018

The show’s most triumphant but most bittersweet moment came when Tracee Ellis Ross introduced the tribute to American’s Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Ross welcome to the stage Ledisi, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Mary Mary and “the one and only” Gladys Knight, who combined musical forces under the direction of Rickey Minor to perform “Amazing Grace” and “Climbing Higher Mountains.” The spirited salute brought audience members to their feet as they celebrated the life and music of of the legend we lost earlier this year.

GLADYS KNIGHT — Gladys Knight, along with others, performed a tribute to Aretha Franklin.

Photo Credit: ABC/Image Group LA

Throughout the evening the roster of stylish and talented presenters included notables such as Amber Heard, Heidi Klum, Constance Wu, John Stamos, Busy Philipps, Billy Eichner, Evan Ross, Ashlee Simpson, Kathryn Hahn, Kelsea Ballerini, Lenny Kravitz, Macaulay Culkin, Leighton Meester, Tyra Banks, Vanessa Hudgens and others.