Entertainment

Gigi & Jay Pharoah Are Teaming Up For The AMAs

by Courtney Lindley

The American Music Awards are switching things up. Following Jennifer Lopez's solo gig last year, the 2016 AMAs will be hosted by two people. According to Billboard, supermodel Gigi Hadid and Jay Pharoah will be co-hosting this year's AMAs. If this seems like a random pairing, that's because it kind of is, right? But based on everything there is to know about Hadid and Pharoah, it could work out in everyone's favor and prove to be pretty entertaining. In fact, if you think about it, this seemingly-different duo might just have what it takes to be the best award show hosts of the year. You heard it here first.

Per Billboard, Hadid said in a statement, "I'm so excited to host the 2016 AMAs with Jay Pharoah. Jay is known for his spot-on impressions so I can't wait to take the stage with him to show my goofy side and celebrate this year's nominees!" Meanwhile, the SNL alum said he's equally excited about this opportunity. "Can't wait to host the AMAs with the beautiful Gigi Hadid (so much innocence in her eyes) and being in the building with some of my industry friends, who I've probably impersonated at some point I'm sure,” Pharoah told Billboard.

Though Hadid might seem like the less experienced one out of the two, this isn't her first hosting gig. In June 2016, Hadid hosted the iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards. I suppose walking runways translates to presenting onstage, because between five separate outfit changes and a slew of presenters, she carried that show. Considering the model doesn't come from a ton of hosting experience, that's pretty impressive.

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Then, there's Pharoah. Being from SNL, Pharoah understands the ins and outs of live television, which means that he's an ideal awards show host. He didn't receive an offer to return for SNL's 42nd season, but while he was there, his skills as an impersonator set a tough precedent. His impressions of Barack Obama, Drake, Katt Williams, and Kevin Hart were irrefutably masterful in technique and humor. Based on the roster of performers — and his above statement — Pharaoh could take on anyone from The Weeknd to Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj to Shawn Mendes, or even John Legend. (But here's hoping he still does something with Obama.)

The "innocence" in Hadid's eyes — as Pharoah put it —mixed with his comedic prowess is sure to make for an intriguing dynamic. With his SNL background, Pharoah is trained in his ability to have chemistry with just about anyone and as — oh, I don't know — one of the biggest names in the modeling industry right now, Hadid knows how to command a stage. How these two, with their differing personalities and backgrounds, will relate to one another will be reason enough to watch when the show is broadcast live at 8 p.m. on Nov. 20 on ABC.