There was plenty to keep up with at Sunday night's (Nov. 24) 2019 American Music Awards -- from Selena Gomez's show-opening performance to Taylor Swift's artist of the decade spectacle -- but there was also a lot going on behind the scenes that you might have missed.
Thankfully, Billboard had you covered backstage at the show and on the red carpet, and you can follow along with our night, minute-by-minute, below (all times PT).
4:33 p.m. PT: No better way to get our AMAs night started than with the first celeb spotting of the night: Shawn Mendes is chilling with his team at the end of the red carpet before the madness of the night truly begins.
5 p.m. PT: The show gets under way with Gomez's double-dose performance of "Lose You to Love Me" and "Look at Her Now" -- but the press room is having a hard time hearing anything with the volume turned way down on the monitors. Thankfully, the sound gets turned up for the very end of Gomez's triumphant return to the stage.
Biggest applause tonight for #BillieOnAMAs #AMAs pic.twitter.com/PjvaSvj7nm
— Brian Porreca (@bbrianthelion) November 25, 2019
6:16 p.m.: Carrie Underwood is the first winner backstage, taking photos clutching her two new American Music Awards, for favorite female artist – country and favorite album – country for Cry Pretty.
We spoke to @billieeilish about her six #GRAMMYs nominations at the 2019 #AMAs pic.twitter.com/d4iHlDeslQ
— billboard (@billboard) November 25, 2019
.@kanebrown talks about being a father, his upcoming tour, and shares advice for younger artists & more #AMAs pic.twitter.com/zkqcPpOfIf
— billboard (@billboard) November 25, 2019
6:38 p.m.: Toni Braxton breaks out her fiercest poses for photographers backstage, doing a victory lap after her triumphant "Un-Break My Heart" performance.
The legendary @tonibraxton in action backstage at the #AMAs - full coverage of her performance on @billboard -- pic.twitter.com/vd6aOVQBsw
— Katie Atkinson (@ktatkinson) November 25, 2019
6:49 p.m.: One of the biggest winners of the night so far, Billie Eilish, makes her way backstage to pose for photographers with her very first AMAs, for favorite new artist and favorite artist – alternative rock. She rocked a lot of different outfits throughout the night, but for her photos, she's back in the same head-to-toe Burberry outfit she wore on the pre-show red carpet.
6:53 p.m.: Billboard News' own Tetris Kelly has great timing: As he makes his way out of the backstage bathrooms, Swift and her dancers are on their way to the stage for her career-spanning artist of the decade performance. Kelly hollers, "Slay, Taylor!" at the crew, and Swift looks back and gives a wave.
.@DUALIPA chatted about her latest single #DontStartNow and teased new musical collaborations on the 2019 #AMAs red carpet. pic.twitter.com/6CYYY6gzg6
— billboard (@billboard) November 25, 2019
Everyone on their feet for that entire performance and speech. Artist of the decade and beyond. #AMAs pic.twitter.com/YaK6an66AK
— Brian Porreca (@bbrianthelion) November 25, 2019
.@GreenDay discussed their upcoming tour with @falloutboy and @Weezer, and they treated us to an acoustic performance of their song "She" at the 2019 #AMAs. pic.twitter.com/s4RwCLclsg
— billboard (@billboard) November 25, 2019
7:37 p.m.: Fans had to settle for a nose kiss onstage during Mendes and Camila Cabello's steamy "Señorita" performance, and backstage they graduated… to a forehead kiss. The duo teased photographers for a second with the possibility of a lip-lock before Mendes planted a sweet smooch on her forehead instead. His adorable smile more than makes up for the near-kiss.
Fans will have to settle for a forehead kiss from Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello backstage at the #AMAs -- pic.twitter.com/XGN0iFYaOp
— Katie Atkinson (@ktatkinson) November 25, 2019
.@Xtina discusses collaborating with @AGreatBigWorld and reflects upon her 'Mickey Mouse Club' days on the #AMAs red carpet. pic.twitter.com/9TdoAXSs7p
— billboard (@billboard) November 25, 2019
7:57 p.m.: Lil Nas X is clearly loving his very first American Music Award, holding it up to his cheek lovingly and cradling it like a newborn baby as he takes pictures backstage. And he's the last celeb to make his way across the step-and-repeat for the night.
.@LilNasX cuddles his very first #AMAs trophy and cradles it like a baby backstage -- pic.twitter.com/HIYwiDQALc
— Katie Atkinson (@ktatkinson) November 25, 2019
We spoke to @ShaniaTwain about her new Las Vegas residency, the mix of country and pop music, and her biggest Billboard moment on the 2019 #AMAs red carpet. pic.twitter.com/vfooxH0TOD
— billboard (@billboard) November 25, 2019