( CNN ) -- Sunday night 's American Music Awards seemed much tamer than many of the other awards shows lately , despite having the promise of host rapper Pitbull to ABC that `` I hope you got that delay button ready ; we 're going to have a lot of fun . '' But there were a few moments during the evening that had viewers buzzing . Here are a few : . 1 ) Justin Timberlake epitomizes `` crossover '' We will try not to drop the term `` blue-eyed soul '' here , but the former ' N Sync member nabbed not only favorite pop/rock male but also favorite soul/R & B male and soul/R & B album awards . Before presenting him with the latter award , comedian Sarah Silverman joked that the competition was between Timberlake , the son of the `` dad from Growing Pains '' ( aka ) Robin Thicke and Rihanna . `` Growing up in Memphis , Tennessee , I can say this is the first time I have ever been racially profiled by a white woman , '' Timberlake joked during his acceptance speech . 2 ) J.Lo pays tribute to Celia Cruz . Jennifer Lopez seemed to embody the spirit of Cuban salsa queen Cruz , who died in 2003 . For those who had forgotten that Lopez first got into the business as a dancer , she reminded fans as she also sang a medley of Spanish tunes made famous by Cruz . Add to that the multiple ruffled and fringed costume changes during the number , which also featured a stage full of fellow dancers , and it was a rollicking good time . 3 ) Lady Gaga and R. Kelly get `` Trapped in the Closet '' If you are n't familiar with the rap opera that is R. Kelly 's `` Trapped in the Closet , '' we ca n't even begin to describe it to you , so get thee to Google . The AMA performance with Gaga on their collaboration `` Do What U Want '' was definitely reminiscent of that dramatic saga . It appeared to be a play on the reported John F. Kennedy/Marilyn Monroe romance as Gaga played secretary to his `` President Kelly '' and stripped down to a spangled bodysuit . The pair sang their dialogue before actually launching into the song that they also so memorably performed on `` Saturday Night Live . '' It was ... interesting . 4 ) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis get political . Accepting the award for favorite rap/hip hop album , Macklemore used the opportunity to speak out against racial profiling . `` Due to the fact that we are in Florida tonight accepting this award , I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids who are dying each year due to racial profiling and the violence that follows , '' the rapper said via satellite . `` These are our friends , our neighbors , our peers , our fans , and it 's time that we look out for the youth and fight against racism and the laws that protect it . '' The pair later rocked the crowd with a rousing performance of `` Ca n't Hold Us '' with Ray Dalton . 5 ) Rihanna 's mom presents her with an award . Monica Fenty could n't have been prouder taking to the stage to give her daughter Rihanna the first-ever Icon Award . `` Rihanna , I 'm so proud of you tonight , '' Fenty said . `` I know the journey in your career has not always been an easy one , but tonight I applaud and admire you . '' The singer , who performed her hit `` Diamonds , '' seemed awed that she was receiving such an accolade so early in her career . `` My fans , I love you so much ; you have no idea , '' Rihanna said . `` I ca n't believe at 25 , I am holding an Icon Award ! '' 6 ) Miley Cyrus and her crying cat . What to even say about this one ? By now , Cyrus is known for her outrageous outfits and controversial performances , so the scant cat-print two-piece outfit she rocked during her rendition of `` Wrecking Ball '' was n't shocking . But the ginger kitten floating through space on the big screen behind her mouthed the words to the song and began crying what appeared to be diamonds was a bit disconcerting . Oh Miley , what does it all mean ? Honorable mentions should also go to TLC and the show 's audience . TLC brought `` special guest '' rapper Lil Mama along to perform their classic hit `` Waterfalls . '' She recently portrayed the late Lisa `` Left Eye '' Lopes in a VH1 biopic about the girl group and her appearance Sunday night left social media speculating whether she would be joining the group to replace Lopes , who was killed in a 2002 car crash . The audience gets a special moments shout-out because they gave everyone a standing ovation . Literally everyone . At some points , the awards show began to feel like a presidential State of the Union address with so many standing Os . There were some actual statues handed out during the show . Taylor Swift set an AMA record with her third win for artist of the year . She also nabbed country artist female and favorite country album for her best-selling `` Red . '' Ariana Grande was named new artist of the year , and Florida Georgia Line won single of the year for their song `` Cruise '' featuring rapper Nelly . The American Music Awards was broadcast live on ABC from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles .
Justin Timberlake shows that he has the crossover chops . J.Lo pays a memorable tribute to salsa queen Rihanna . At only 25 , Meow receives Celia Cruz from her mother . Miley Cyrus -- what was going with Icon Award and the crying cat ?