AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS:
YOUTH MUST BE SERVED

Justin Bieber dominated Sunday night’s American Music Awards, snagging the awards for Breakthrough Artist, Pop/Rock Artist and Pop/Rock Album for My World 2.0, while becoming the youngest performer in the history of the AMAs to win Artist of the Year. Usher, who signed Bieber in 2008, got a pair, Favorite Soul/R&B Album and Favorite Male R&B Performance. Usher’s protégé called him “not only my mentor. but my best friend and my big brother.”

There’s no evidence that Bieber’s triumph was the result of a Tea Party conspiracy—especially considering he’s from Canada.

The kid had a lot of spotlight to bask in, considering the absence of Kanye West, Lady Gaga and five-times-nominated/double-winner Eminem.

Other honorees included Taylor Swift (Country Female Artist), Lady Antebellum (Country Band/Duo/Group), Rihanna (Soul/R&B Female Artist), and Shakira (Latin Music). The Glee cast didn't go home empty-handed, either, picking up Favorite Soundtrack Album for Volume 3, Showstoppers.

In all, the three-hour ABC show featured 18 music performances from, the likes of Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas, Train and Enrique Iglesias with Pitbull, Kid Rock, Carlos Santana with Gavin Rossdale, Diddy-Dirty Money, Ne-Yo, Bon Jovi and P!nk.

Rihanna opened it with one medley, while reunited boy bands the Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block closed it with another. The evening’s biggest surprise was arguably Taylor’s new look—she sported straight hair pulled into a long ponytail and bangs, as if she’d morphed into the kid sister of Gwyneth Paltrow—not a bad thing.

The winners:
Favorite Soul/R&B Album: Usher, Raymond v. Raymond
Favorite Pop Rock Band/Duo/Group: Black Eyed Peas
Favorite Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem
Favorite Latin Music Artist: Shakira
Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist: Rihanna
Favorite Country Male Artist: Brad Paisley
Breakthrough Artist: Justin Bieber
Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist: Lady Gaga
Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist: Justin Bieber
Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group: Lady Antebellum
Favorite Alternative Rock Music Artist: Muse
Favorite Adult Contemporary Music Artist: Michael Bublé
Favorite Country Music Album: Carrie Underwood, Play On
Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Eminem, Recovery
Favorite Soundtrack Album: Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers
Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist: Usher
Favorite Artist of the Year: Justin Bieber