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Like most award shows, the 2014 American Music Awards provided expensive, revealing dresses and the type of upsets that create plenty of social media fodder.

Selena Gomez

photo: WENN

There was also the requisite tearful performance courtesy of Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift. What’s an award show if at least one of the stars doesn’t turn on the waterworks? Without the stars who broke down at award shows it’s possible the Internet would crash under the weight of our cynicism. Check out a few celebs who tugged at the heart strings while getting honored.

Photo: WENN

Chris Brown

photo: WENN

Maybe it was the emotion of paying tribute to Michael Jackson or the weight of two years of being ostracized by a section of the public. Whatever the case way, Chris Brown let the tears flow at the 2010 BET Awards.

MIley Cyrus

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One year after all the twerking and cultural appropriation, Miley Cyrus dedicated her MTV VMA for Video Of The Year to runaways and victims of homelessness. Things got misty when Cyrus’ friend Jesse addressed the crowd with some words about the homeless.

Tamar Braxton

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Outside of all the reality show fare, Tamar Braxton kept it 100 at the 2013 Soul Train Awards thanking her family and detailing how she almost gave up on a music career after taking a 13-year hiatus.

LeAnn Rimes

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Much like Chris Brown, paying tribute to a legend made LeAnn Rimes tearful during the 2013 American Country Awards. Rimes performed a medley of Patsy Cline songs and was holding back tears from the moment she hit the stage.

Beyonce

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Beyonce is usually composed on a level that borders being robotic. But having Jay Z call her the greatest living entertainer and earning a “Yay, mommy” from Blue Ivy sparked a rare moment of vulnerability for Bey at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards.

Gwyneth Paltrow

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If we’re being honest here, Gwyneth Paltrow was in her seat crying before she even took the stage to accept the 1999 Best Actress Oscar for Shakespeare In Love. It was quite a win considering she beat both Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett.

Halle Berry

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During a heartfelt and sob filled speech, Halle Berry apologized saying, “I’m sorry. This moment is so much bigger than me.” She was 100% right since the 2001 win for Monster’s Ball made her the first black woman to win in the Best Actress category. It was a huge moment with no apologies necessary.

Pharrell Williams

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The whole “happy” thing wasn’t just some gimmick for Pharrell Williams. After shedding tears of joy during an Oprah Winfrey appearance, Skateboard P was once again moved at the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards after his performance medley.

Michael Sam and Vito Cammisano

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He may no longer be on an NFL roster, but Michael Sam and the crowd on hand at the 2014 ESPY awards got caught up in the moment when Sam capped off winning the Arthur Ashe Courage Award with a moving speech.

Kevin Durant

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The NBA’s MVP award is more of a one-man coronation than a show, but Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant made his 2013 acceptance speech an event. It was heartfelt, emotional and despite the gravity of the moment, it eventually proved meme-worthy.

Octavia Spencer

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When she won the 2012 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Octavia Spencer tried to break the ice by calling Christian Bale “the hottest guy in the room.” She had jokes, but you could tell the emotion of the moment was too big, and she tearfully accepted the trophy for her role in The Help.

Doug E. Fresh

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The 2014 was already going to be emotional for Doug E. Fresh after losing his mother to Alzheimer’s. Clearly overcome with emotion, Doug E. Fresh had to compose himself multiple times after he was presented with the “I Am Hip Hop” award during the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards.

Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez

photo: WENN

Both Selena Gomez and her BFF Taylor Swift turned on the waterworks at the 2014 American Music Awards. Gomez had already made headlines when the video for her Justin Bieber-inspired “The Heart Wants What It Wants” went viral. Apparently Swift got caught up in the emotion too

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