Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift claimed the early prizes Sunday night at the American Music Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
Ryan Seacrest presented the first of what was to be a series of video clips of "classic" AMA performances - Beyonce singing "Single Ladies" - and presented the first award, best male pop/rock artist, to Bieber. Accepting, the teen idol. said, "This is for the haters - the people who thought I was only going to be around a year or two.
AMAs 2012: Show highlights
Taylor 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.
Nicki Minaj was also a consecutive winner, picking up her second trophy for favorite rap/hip-hop album for "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded." Other early awards went to Linkin Park for best alt rock artist, Luke Bryan for best male country artist and Usher for best male soul/R&B artist.
Usher opened the ceremony. Dressed in black leather pants, a black T-shirt and red high tops, the singer stepped onto the stage from a swirl of smoke and launched into a medley of songs, including "Numb," "Climax" and "Can't Stop, Won't Stop."
Minaj performed her new single "Freedom." She was in an all-white get-up, including fur coat and pink hair. 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.
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.
Kelly Clarkson also hit the stage, making a nod to her "American Idol" roots with a number on her dress and three people in judge chairs looking on as she sang "Miss Independent." Then she went into "Since U Been Gone,"`"Stronger" and `"Catch My Breath."
"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson made a plea for Red Cross donations to help victims of Sueprstorm Sandy, which hit the Northeast on Oct. 29 -30.
AMAs 2012: Red carpet
The highlight of the awards show, which is being broadcast live on ABC, are performances by such stars as Justin Bieber Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Pitbull, No Doubt, Usher and Carly Rae Jepsen. All are set to take the stage during the three-hour awards ceremony.
Chris Brown will be performing with Swizz Beatz. And Stevie Wonder, an 11-time AMA winner, is set to provide the soundtrack for a tribute to Dick Clark, who created the American Music Awards in 1973 to pay tribute to modern musicians. Ryan Seacrest will introduce the performers.
This year's 2012 Artist of the Year nominees are Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5, Katy Perry and Rihanna. This year also marks the creation of the new Electronic Dance Music Category. Nominees include David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex. Winners for all prizes are chosen by online voting by fans.
Sunday's show from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles marks the AMA's 40th anniversary.
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