Stevie Wonder and Charlie Puth had the audience “Dancing on the Ceiling” — or at least swaying in their seats and standing in harmony — during a musical tribute to 2022 AMAs Icon Award recipient Lionel Richie.

The duo faced off with dueling pianos for a medley of Richie and Commodores hits, including “Three Times a Lady,” “Easy” “All Night Long,” “Say You, Say Me,” “Brick House,” “Jesus Is Love” and, of course, the anthemic “We Are the World.”

"Three Times a Lady" and "Hello" singer Richie — an "American Idol" judge who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame just this year — is oft-remembered as a co-writer of “We Are the World.” The 1985 mega-collaboration brought together more than 45 A-list artists — including Wonder — for a massive, chart-topping, Grammy-winning group sing-along that helped raise millions of dollars to support famine relief efforts in Africa.

Commodores icon Lionel Richie, 73, was honored for his "unparalleled ability to masterfully blend a variety of music, from pop to country," the AMAs said in announcing the honor earlier this month. The Oscar-, Grammy- and Golden Globe-winner has sold more than 125 million albums worldwide.

On Sunday, he took the time to address the younger, up-and-coming artists watching in the audience and from afar.

“God has given you a light. That light is special. That light is only given to a few,” he said. “When you hear the word ‘hip,’ it means today. When you hear the word ‘inspiring,’ it means forever. If you get a chance to have that light on you, understand what God has in store. He’s not trying to tell you that your car looks great, your clothes look great. … God is trying to tell you that you’re chosen to inspire. Take this opportunity that light is on you — inspire.” 

Richie has previously won 17 American Music Awards and he hosted the show in 1985, a year in which he himself won six AMAs. And his legend and cultural hold continue to this day: Witness "Scandal" alum Kerry Washington’s Halloween costume just last month, in which she spot-on mimicked his self-titled 1982 album cover.

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Adele

Bad Bunny

Beyoncé

Drake

Harry Styles

The Weeknd

“I can’t stop thinking about Colorado today. Gay clubs raised me, basically, and I can confidently say no one loves pop music more than gay clubs,” said Kim Petras in recognition of the fatal shooting Saturday night at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “So, my heart goes out to you.” Petras, who identifies as transgender, presented the Best Pop Song award to Harry Styles for “As It Was.”

WINNER: Harry Styles, “As It Was”

Adele, “Easy on Me”

Carolina Gaitán, Mauro Castillo, Adassa, Rhenzy Feliz, Diane Guerrero, Stephanie Beatriz & "Encanto" Cast, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”

Lizzo, “About Damn Time”

The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “Stay”

WINNER: Taylor Swift, “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)”

Adele, “Easy on Me”

Bad Bunny ft. Chencho Corleone, “Me Porto Bonito”

Harry Styles, “As It Was”

Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow, “Industry Baby”

WINNER: Future ft. Drake & Tems, “Wait For U”

Jack Harlow, “First Class”

Kodak Black, “Super Gremlin”

Latto, “Big Energy”

Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow, “Industry Baby”

Pop-punk princess Pink paid a heartfelt tribute to beloved “Grease” icon Olivia Newton-John — who died Aug. 8 at age 73 after a years-long battle with cancer — with a poignant rendition of “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” That single from the film hit the No. 1 spot on iTunes after Newton-John's death and originally landed at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 when it was first released in 1978.

“From the moment you were in the presence of Olivia Newton-John you sensed her sweetness, you stood in awe of her welcoming beauty and you basked in the feeling that she was connecting with you alone,” Melissa Etheridge said of the "Physical" and "You're the One That I Want" singer — who was a 10-time AMA winner — before introducing Pink’s performance, which brought the audience to their feet. “But when she opened her mouth to sing you knew instantly you would have to share her with the world.”

WINNER: BTS

Blackpink

Seventeen

Twice

Tomorrow X Together

WINNER: Måneskin, “Beggin’”

Foo Fighters, “Love Dies Young”

Imagine Dragons x JID, “Enemy”

Kate Bush, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”

Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Black Summer”

Jimmie Allen (left), shown with host Wayne Brady, offered a poignant version of "Coal Miner's Daughter" in tribute to the late country icon Loretta Lynn, who died last month at age 90. 

WINNER: Wizkid

Burna Boy

CKay

Fireboy DML

Tems