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Justin Bieber was named favorite artist of the year Sunday, beating out Rihanna, Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and Drake for the top prize at the American Music Awards. It was his third award of the night.
The 18-year-old teen idol pulled his mother, Pattie Malette, onstage to help him accept the award. “This is my mom” – he said. “She’s little, but she’s beautiful.” He thanked her for believing in him.
Bieber won the very first award of the night (favorite pop/rock male artist) and he accepted with the comment – “I want to say this is for all the haters who thought that I was just here for one or two years. I feel like I’m going to be here for a very long time.”
When he returned to the stage to claim his award for favorite pop/rock album – for his “Believe”, he corrected what he saw as an oversight and thanked his long-time mentor, Usher, among others.

Justin Bieber.

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 artist 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.
As Bieber won his second award, he was kissed on the neck by Jenny McCarthy, who presented the award.
“Wow. I feel violated right now” – he said, laughing.
“I did grab his butt” – McCarthy said backstage. “I couldn’t help it. He was just so delicious. So little. I wanted to tear his head off and eat it.”
Bieber’s red and black outfit seemed to be the night’s theme, as Taylor Swift and Usher wore similar ensembles.

Some of music’s biggest names won in categories that weren’t announced on camera. Beyonce was named Favorite Female Soul R&B Artist, while Katy Perry was named Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist. Rihanna took the Favorite Soul/R&B Album for Talk that Talk. Adele was named Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist, while Maroon 5 won Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group. None of those artists were in the house, as it happened.
In the one rock category of the night – Linkin Park won Favorite Alternative Rock Artist for the fifth time. In the country categories – Taylor Swift was named Favorite Female for the fifth time (her 11th AMA overall). Carrie Underwood won Favorite Country Album for the fourth time for her current disc Blown Away. Every album she’s ever released has won that award. Luke Bryan was a surprise winner for Favorite Country Male Artist, while Lady Antebellum three-peated in the Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group category.
Because it was the 40th Anniversary of the American Music Awards, the show’s long history was celebrated through the night with a few classic clips here and there, including some 1975 footage of Michael Jackson and little Janet Jackson together, and a montage of Whitney Houston wins. In addition, Ryan Seacrest introduced a tribute to the late Dick Clark, creator of the American Music Awards. “Dick Clark loved the power of music and its ability to create pure joy” – he told the audience, before bringing on Clark’s friend of 49 years, Stevie Wonder. The music legend performed three of his hits — “Master Blaster (Jammin’),” “My Cherie Amour” and “Sir Duke” — while a montage of Clark photos was shown behind him.