Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's AMAs performances spark fury from angry fans who claim 'we've been lied to'
Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are in hot water after angering fans with their performances at the American Music Awards on Monday night.
The Memorial Day performance at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Las Vegas had already received scathing reviews from viewers over its lack of star power, minimal on-air awards and some questionable kisses from its host, Jennifer Lopez.
But videos circulating on social media further riled up fans, as they suggest performances by Gwen Stefani and her husband Blake Shelton were pretaped for the show, which wasn't indicated to viewers at home.
'We've been lied to,' wrote a TikTok user who was apparently at the awards show and filmed Gwen and Blake's performances from a seat in the balcony.
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Gwen and Blake for comment.
The stage at the Fontainebleau was pictured in the video, but it was dark, and the actual performance from the 55-year-old No Doubt singer was instead projected on the large screen behind the stage.
People appeared to be swaying and dancing on the stage, but they were turned to the screen to watch the video, rather than performing as part of a number.
There also appeared to be crew members setting up the stage for the next number while her performance played.
'She's not here!' the TikTok user said at the end of the clip as she turned the camera back to herself in the audience.
Gwen was performing a medley of her classic tunes to mark the 20th anniversary fo her 2004 album Love. Angel. Music. Baby., including Hollaback Girl, What You Waiting For? and Rich Girl.
Blake's performance was somewhat more confusing, as he was pictured in photos taken on the red carpet in what appeared to be the same outfit that he wore for his performance, suggesting that he had arrived at the AMAs shortly before the show started.
But another video from the same TikTok user also showed a pre-recorded performance from the 48-year-old country music star of his single Stay Country Or Die Tryin'.
'The craziest part of the AMAs last night was being told "and here's Blake Shelton Live" only for them to light up the stage like he's there, and never saying to us it was pre recorded. THEN, doing the same thing with Gwen Stefani!' the original poster seethed in text laid over the video. 'I felt like I was in a simulation looking around for him!'
The stage at the Fontainebleau was pictured in the video, but it was dark, and the actual performance from the 55-year-old No Doubt singer was instead projected on the large screen behind the stage
Blake's performance was somewhat more confusing, as he was pictured in photos taken on the red carpet in what appeared to be the same outfit, suggesting that he had arrived at the AMAs shortly before the show started
'The craziest part of the AMAs last night was being told "and here's Blake Shelton Live" only for them to light up the stage like he's there, and never saying to us it was pre recorded. THEN, doing the same thing with Gwen Stefani!' the original poster wrote on TikTok
One commenter joked, 'LOL even the performers didn't show up.'
'Gwen Stefani performing live! ... somewhere else!' another user joked.
One person even suggested that the snafu was 'somehow a recession indicator,' while another viewer said the show's deception was 'giving state run TV programming lol.'
One Taylor Swift fan added that it 'makes sense why Taylor wouldn't release reputation at the AMAS,' as many fans were convinced that the hitmaker would be releasing her long-teased rerecorded version of her Reputation album during the show.
Another viewer said it added insult to injury that the AMAs not only presented few awards on air, but they also allegedly showed pre-taped performances and misrepresented them.
Others noted that there were few celebrities in the crowd, which may have explained the lack of live performances.
'A bunch of randoms and James Charles lol,' they added.
On Reddit, one person wondered 'whats the point of watching or attending' if the performances were just shown on a screen.
Viewers joked about even 'the performers didn't show up' to the AMAs, as many of the award winners didn't bother attending
One person even suggested that the snafu was 'somehow a recession indicator,' while another viewer said the show's deception was 'giving state run TV programming lol'
One Taylor Swift fan added that it 'makes sense why Taylor wouldn't release reputation at the AMAS,' as many fans were convinced that the hitmaker would be releasing her long-teased rerecorded version of her Reputation album during the show
Others noted that there were few celebrities in the crowd, which may have explained the lack of live performances. 'A bunch of randoms and James Charles lol,' they added
Fans were not pleased, with many calling it the 'worst' award show they had ever seen or attended
One person noted that attendees allegedly paid to attend the show despite the dearth of live performances
'Is the "live" in the room with us right now?' joked one fan
Several fans also wrote that Gwen and Blake appeared to have taped their performances on the same stage, which made it more confusing as to why they didn't perform live
But one user defended the production, writing, 'This is typical with award shows this happens often. Most people just don't know it they pre-tape all certain segments of it [sic]'
Another factor that puzzled some commenters was who the audience members were at Blake's performance, since it didn't appear to have been recorded during the main show
'Particularly since attendees paid to be there,' another user added in a reply.
'Is the "live" in the room with us right now?' joked one fan.
Another person who clearly wasn't a fan of Gwen and Blake added, 'I don't care where those right wing folks were at last night,' referencing fan theories about Gwen and Blake's vague politics.
Several fans also wrote that Gwen and Blake appeared to have taped their performances on the same stage, which made it more confusing as to why they didn't perform live.
But one user defended the production, writing, 'This is typical with award shows this happens often. Most people just don't know it they pre-tape all certain segments of it [sic].'
Some other users suggested that the performances were pre-taped out of necessity, as it would have been difficult to either set up the stage in time for Gwen and Blake or for the performers who came immediately after them due to the show's cramped schedule.
Another factor that puzzled some commenters was who the audience members were at Blake's performance, since it didn't appear to have been recorded during the main show.
Despite the controversy, the same TikTok user shared videos proving that some of the performers were truly live, including Lainey Wilson, Reneeé Rapp and Janet Jackson.
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