Justin Bieber performs "Beauty and a Beat" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Justin Bieber performs "Beauty and a Beat" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Members of rock band Linkin Park arrive at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Hip hop artist Sean Kingston arrives with his mother, Janice Turner, at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Singer Cyndi Lauper blows a kiss as she arrives at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Singer Kesha displays her jewelry as she arrives at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Singer Kesha arrives at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Singers Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo arrive at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Pop star Carly Rae Jepsen arrives at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Model Heidi Klum waves as she arrives at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Actress Jenny McCarthy arrives at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
The Backstreet Boys arrive at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
South Korean rapper Psy poses as he arrives at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Singer Pink and her husband Carey Hart arrive at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
South Korean rapper Psy arrives at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Pop star Justin Bieber arrives at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Rapper Nicki Minaj arrives at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Usher performs a medley of songs at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Usher performs at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Justin Bieber accepts the award for favorite pop/rock male at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Singer Carly Rae Jepson performs at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Actor Eric Stonestreet, from the sitcom "Modern Family," presents the award for favorite country female artist to Taylor Swift at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Kelly Clarkson performs a medley of songs at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Kesha performs "Die Young" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Ke$ha performs "Die Young" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Nicki Minaj accepts the award for favorite rap hip hop album for "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Kesha performs "Die Young" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Gwen Stefani of No Doubt performs "Looking Hot" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Usher accepts the award for favorite soul R&B mail artist at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Nicki Minaj performs "Freedom" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Chester Bennington of Linkin Park performs "Burn It Down" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Nicki Minaj performs "Freedom" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Pink performs "Try" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Pink performs "Try" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Carly Rae Jepsen accepts the award for new artist of the year from presenters The Backstreet Boys at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Justin Bieber performs "Beauty and a Beat" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Justin Bieber performs "Beauty and a Beat" with Nicki Minaj at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Lady Antebellum accept the award for favorite country band duo or group at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
South Korean rapper Psy performs "Gangnam Style" with MC Hammer (2nd from L) at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Christina Aguilera performs at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Christina Aguilera performs at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Justin Bieber
Pitbull performs "Don't Stop the Party" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
A memorial to the late singer Whitney Houston is held at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Justin Bieber accepts the award for artist of the year with his mother Pattie Mallette at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
South Korean rapper Psy performs "Gangnam Style" at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
South Korean rapper Psy performs "Gangnam Style" with MC Hammer at the 40th American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Reuters
Published Nov 19, 2012
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Justin Bieber swept the American Music Awards, topping strong competition from Rihanna and Nicki Minaj.
The American Music Award nominees and winners are voted online by fans, and the awards are handed out during a live three-hour broadcast featuring performances by artists.
R&B singer Rihanna, 24, and rapper Minaj, 29, led the nominees going into Sunday's awards with four apiece.
Minaj won favorite rap/hip hop artist and rap/hip hop album of the year for "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded." The singer, known for her extravagant on-stage performances, sang her latest hit "Freedom" in a winter wonderland-themed set.