You Thought So!

The American Music Awards announced via their official Twitter and a TV spot that Janet Jackson will be opening the whole she-bang with an 8-minute medley. The singer has her new greatest hits CD ‘Number Ones’ coming out this coming Tuesday and the AMAs will be airing on November 22 at 8PM on ABC. I cannot wait to see her performance. The last performance that we all saw her in was her tribute to her late brother, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. I wonder if there’s going to be an element in her AMAs performance dedicated to Michael.

Though it hasn’t been officially confirmed from Rihanna’s camp, sources are saying that a deal has been made to have the Barbadian beauty of a singer perform at this year’s American Music Awards. The ceremony takes place the day before her confirmed appearance on Good Morning America. I wonder if Chris Brown will also be attending the show. I’m sure Rihanna will be selective when talking to the press if she goes and he happens to be there too. I personally wouldn’t be comfortable if he would be there just 50 feet away. I think he should just stay at home.

The late great singer Michael Jackson has been nominated for five American Music Awards this year, including artist of the year. The King of Pop will battle it out for that high honor with the likes of Lady Gaga, Eminem, Kings of Leon and Taylor Swift. However, the winners of each category are determined by fans through online voting so you have to figure that Michael’s fans will be going out in droves to make sure that he wins. He deserves the win though. If he doesn’t, maybe the AMAs could just give him a special award like lifetime achievement or something.

Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson lead the nominations at this year’s American Music Awards

Nominees Are:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kings of Leon
Taylor Swift
Lady Gaga
Eminem
Michael Jackson

POP/ROCK – Favorite Male Artist
Eminem
Michael Jackson
T.I.

POP/ROCK – Favorite Female Artist
Beyonce
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift

POP/ROCK – Favorite Band, Duo or Group
The Black Eyed Peas
Kings of Leon
Nickelback

POP/ROCK – Favorite Album
Fame – Lady Gaga
Number Ones – Michael Jackson
Fearless – Taylor Swift

COUNTRY – Favorite Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Darius Rucker
Keith Urban

COUNTRY – Favorite Female Artist
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

COUNTRY – Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band

COUNTRY – Favorite Album
Unstoppable – Rascal Flatts
Fearless – Taylor Swift
Foundation – Zac Brown Band

RAP/HIP-HOP – Favorite Male Artist
Eminem
Jay-Z
T.I.

RAP/HIP-HOP – Favorite Album
Relapse – Eminem
Blueprint 3 – Jay-Z
Paper Trail – T.I.

SOUL/R&B – Favorite Male Artist
Jamie Foxx
Michael Jackson
Maxwell

SOUL/R&B – Favorite Female Artist
Beyonce
Keyshia Cole
Keri Hilson

SOUL/R&B – Favorite Band, Duo or Group
The Black Eyed Peas
Day26
Mary Mary

SOUL/R&B – Favorite Album
I Am…Sasha Fierce – Beyonce
The E.N.D. – The Black Eyed Peas
Number Ones – Michael Jackson

SOUNDTRACKS – Favorite Album
Hannah Montana: The Movie
Hannah Montana 3
Twilight Soundtrack

ALTERNATIVE ROCK – Favorite Artist
Green Day
Kings of Leon
Shinedown

ADULT CONTEMPORARY – Favorite Artist
Daughtry
Jason Mraz
Taylor Swift

LATIN – Favorite Artist
Aventura
Luis Fonsi
Wisin Y Yandel

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL – Favorite Artist
Jeremy Camp
Brandon Heath
Mary Mary

Well, it was a great two-show deal.

According to his rep, Ne-Yo will no longer be a part of the R. Kelly tour. Ne-Yo states, “I am disappointed that I won’t be able to perform for my fans. I love being onstage because of the immediate feedback you get. You know right away if they are feeling you – and they were really feeling our show.”

Word was given to Ne-Yo’s posse on Monday that he would be let go from the remainder of the tour. Apparently, the two could not reach an agreement on a contract. Kelly’s spokesperson told MTV News, “This was a contractual issue between Ne-Yo and the promoter, not Kelly’s decision at all.” Ne-Yo believed, as of Sunday, that all issues had been resolved.

Not to worry, though. Ne-Yo’s got plenty of other activities to keep him busy. The Vegas singer/songwriter performed with Rihanna on Sunday at the American Music Awards. He announced the masquarade ball that his Compound Foundation would be hosting, and he appeared on World Children’s Day for the Ronald McDonald House. He even appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Ne-Yo isn’t the first performer to be dropped early from an R. Kelly tour. In 2004, Kelly’s tour with Jay-Z ended early. Apparently when you sign to tour with Kelly, you do so at your own risk.