Teen popstar Justin Bieber dominated the American Music Awards with three awards, including Artist of the Year.
The 18-year-old Baby hitmaker also won the night’s first trophy for favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist and the favourite Pop/Rock Album prize, reported Ace Showbiz. Dragging his reluctant mother Pattie Mallette up onstage with him, the pop superstar said, “This is my mom, she’s little but she’s beautiful... I want to thank you for just always believing in me... This is amazing.”
It was a great night for Bieber’s musical family too, his mentor Usher and protégé Carly Rae Jepsen both performed and took home awards. Usher was named favourite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Jepsen beat One Direction to score the New Artist prize. Other performance highlights were by The Wanted, Kelly Clarkson, Kesha, No Doubt, Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift and Pink. South Korean pop sensation Psy closed the show with his international smash hit Gangnam Style and was joined onstage by MC Hammer for a mash-up of his catchy anthem and Too Legit to Quit.
Psy and dance music star David Guetta made history at the AMAs by winning the first ever New Media Award and favourite Electronic Dance Music Artist honours, respectively.
There was also a tribute to the late Dick Clark, who created the American Music Awards.