LOS ANGELES - Oklahoma's Carrie Underwood added another trophy to her impressive collection Sunday night, capturing the favorite Country Album of the Year award at the American Music Awards.
The Checotah native won for her ''Blown Away'' album.
Otherwise, America proved its Bieber Fever was strong: The teen singer dominated the awards.
Bieber's wins included the show's top award, artist of the year. His mom joined him onstage as he collected the trophy, beating out Rihanna, Maroon 5, Katy Perry and Drake.
"I wanted to thank you for always believing in me," Bieber said, looking to his mom.
The 18-year-old also won the honor in 2010. He said it's "hard growing up with everyone watching me" and asked that people continue to believe in him.
Bieber and Nicki Minaj performed together - and separately - at the AMAs and were both multiple winners.
But another collaboration was the night's most colorful performance: Korean rapper PSY and MC Hammer. Hammer joined the buzzed-about pop star for his viral hit "Gangnam Style." PSY rocked traditional "Hammer" pants as they danced to his jam and to Hammer's "Too Legit to Quit."
Bieber won favorite pop/rock male artist in the first award handed out at Sunday's show and gave a shout-out to those who didn't think he would last on the music scene.
"I want to say this is for all the haters who thought I was just here for one or two years. I feel like I'm going to be here for a very long time," he said.
He also won favorite pop/rock album for "Believe." He gave a stripped down, acoustic performance of "As Long As You Love Me," then transitioned to the dance-heavy "Beauty and a Beat," where Minaj joined him onstage, grinding with the teen for a few seconds.
Minaj, who wore three different wigs and four outfits throughout the night, repeated her AMAs wins from last year, picking up trophies for favorite rap/hip-hop artists and album for "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded." She was in an all-white get-up, including fur coat and pink hair when she performed her new song "Freedom." The scene was ghostly and snowy, as a choir - also in white - joined her onstage. One background singer stole the performance, belting semi-high notes as Minaj looked on.
Bieber's red and black outfit seemed to be the night's theme, as Taylor Swift and Usher wore similar ensembles.
Usher kicked off the three-hour show with green laser lights beaming onstage as he performed a medley of songs, including "Numb," "Climax" and "Can't Stop, Won't Stop," which featured a smoky floor and a number of backup dancers, as Usher jammed in all black, with the exception of his red shoes. He won favorite soul/R&B male artist.
Swift won her fifth consecutive award for favorite country female artist.
"This is unreal. I want to thank the fans. You guys are the ones who voted on this," she said.
Swift gave a masquerade-themed performance of the pop song "I Knew You Were Trouble." She sang onstage in a light dress while dancers wore mostly black. But then she changed into a red corset and black skirt, matching their dark mood. She even danced and sang on the floor as lights flickered throughout the performance.
Carly Rae Jepsen, who performed early in the night, won favorite new artist.
"I am floored. Wow," she said, thanking Bieber and his manager, Scooter Braun.
Party girl Ke$ha was glammed up on the red carpet, rocking long, flowy blonde hair and a light pink dress. She switched to her normal attire when she performed her hit single "Die Young." It was tribal, with shirtless dancers in skin-tight pants, silver hair and skeleton-painted faces, who also played the drums.
Minaj and Christina Aguilera were blonde bombshells, too. Minaj's hair was busy and full of volume and she sported a neon strapless gown to accept her award. Aguilera wore a blonde bob in a purple dress that matched her eyeshadow.
Aguilera performed a medley of material from her new album and joined Pitbull onstage.
Kelly Clarkson also hit the stage, making a nod to her "American Idol" roots with a number on her dress and three judges looking on as she sang "Miss Independent." Then she went into "Since U Been Gone," "Stronger" and "Catch My Breath."
It's worth noting that "Idol" judge Randy Jackson introduced Clarkson, the first-ever winner of the show. He also advised people to donate through Red Cross for Superstorm Sandy victims.
Underwood, a fellow "Idol" winner, also performed, hitting the right notes during her performance of "Two Black Cadillacs." She talked about singing competition shows backstage.
"These people that go on these shows are so talented, you know? And I would love to see if so many of the other artists that are out there today would go back and try out for these shows, because they might get their behinds kicked by some of the contestants," she said.
Luke Bryan won favorite country male artist and Lady Antebellum favorite country group.
American Music Awards nominees were selected based on sales and airplay, and fans chose the winners by voting online.
At this award show, even the stars were fans: Pink said on the red carpet that she'd like to collaborate with Lauryn Hill. Cyndi Lauper said her musical playlist includes Pink and Minaj. Boy band The Wanted said they were excited to see PSY.
Original Print Headline: It's Bieber Fever at music awards
Artist of the Year
Justin Bieber
Drake
Maroon 5
Katy Perry
Rihanna
Favorite Female Artist-Country
Miranda Lambert *
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood *
Favorite Band, Duo Or Group-Country
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts *
Favorite Album-Country
Luke Bryan, "Tailgates & Tanlines"
Lionel Richie, "Tuskegee"
Carrie Underwood, "Blown Away" *
New Artist of the Year
J. Cole
fun.
Gotye
Carly Rae Jepsen
One Direction
Favorite Male Artist-Pop/Rock
Justin Bieber
Flo Rida
Pitbull
Usher
Favorite Female Artist-Pop/Rock
Kelly Clarkson
Nicki Minaj
Katy Perry
Rihanna
Favorite Band, Duo or Group-Pop/Rock
fun.
Maroon 5
One Direction
The Wanted
Favorite Album-Pop/Rock
Justin Bieber, "Believe"
Maroon 5, "Overexposed"
Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded"
One Direction, "Up All Night"
Favorite Male Artist-Country
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Favorite Artist-Rap/Hip-Hop
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Tyga
Favorite Album-Rap/Hip-Hop
J. Cole, "Cole World: The Sideline Story"
Drake, "Take Care"
Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded"
Favorite Male Artist-Soul/R&B
Chris Brown
Trey Songz
Usher
Favorite Female Artist-Soul/R&B
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Rihanna
Favorite Album-Soul/R&B
Chris Brown, "Fortune"
Rihanna, "Talk That Talk"
Usher, "Looking 4 Myself"
Favorite Artist- Alternative Rock
The Black Keys
Gotye
Linkin Park
Favorite Artist-Adult Contemporary
Adele
Kelly Clarkson
Train
Favorite Artist-Latin
Don Omar
Pitbull
Shakira
Favorite Artist- Contemporary Inspirational
Jeremy Camp
Newsboys
TobyMac
Favorite Artist- Electronic Dance Music
David Guetta
Calvin Harris
Skrillex
Winners in bold
* indicates act has Oklahoma ties
