A DOLLED-UP, ESTROGEN-SOAKED AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
Taylor Swift capped off a big Sunday night in prime time that had started with a profile on CBS’ 60 Minutes (on which she came off as one very smart cookie) by hitting the trifecta during the ABC telecast. The 21-year-old phenom was named Artist of the Year for the second time and Favorite Country Female Artist for the fourth straight year, while Speak Now was chosen as Favorite Country Album.
Hot Chelle Rae, who played the nationally televised AMA pre-show to an enthusiastic audience holding up signs with the title of their hit single, "Tonight Tonight," earned Best New Artist honors.
Nicki Minaj, who opened the show in a pairing with David Guetta, was voted Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist, and Pink Friday got Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album.
A nearly unrecognizable Katy Perry performed her latest Teenage Dream single, “The One That Got Away,” and received a special award for her record-breaking string of chart-toppers from the same album.
Kelly Clarkson played with recent media speculation about her love life during her production number. "Is she gay? Is she straight? Why is she still single?" actors dressed like paperboys shouted before she appeared to belt out "Mr. Know It All."
Favorite Latin Artist Jennifer Lopez got out of her Fiat 500 long enough to do a medley of her hits "Until It Beats No More," "Papi" and "On the Floor," just before her ex Marc Anthony took the stage to sing "Rain Over Me" with Pitbull and Lil Jon. J.Lo later dueted with will.i.am on his new solo single "T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever).”
And Mary J. Blige came off like a classic soul belter on “Mr. Wrong” from My Life II: The Journey Continues, which hits today as part of the Mega Monday release slate.
Even the divas who didn’t show up made an impression. Rihanna beat out (as opposed to beating up) her ex Chris Brown for Favorite Soul/R&B album, Beyoncé accepted the award for Favorite Soul/R&B female Artist in a prerecorded speech, and Adele, who’s recovering from throat surgery, was voted Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist and Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist, while 21 got Favorite Pop/Rock Album.
Other winners included Lady Antebellum (Favorite Country Group), Bruno Mars (Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist), Maroon 5 (Favorite Pop/Rock Group), Usher (Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist) and Foo Fighters (Favorite Alternative/Rock Artist).
In a shocker, Justin Bieber—who sang "Mistletoe" from his Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe—didn’t win anything.
