Images: American Music Awards
Taylor Swift and Adele tied with three wins at the American Music Awards, but the event belonged to the country superstar after she beat the soulful crooner, as well as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Lil Wayne, to win artist of the year, the ceremony’s highest accolade, which the 21-year-old singer-songwriter previously claimed in 2009.
“This is so crazy,” beamed Swift,
Jenny McCarthy presents the award for pop/rock favorite album to Adele at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Lionel Richie, left, and Vanessa Minnillo present the artist of the year award at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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LMFAO performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Redfoo, left, and SkyBlu from the music group LMFAO perform at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Travis McCoy, right, of Gym Class Heroes and Adam Levine of musical group Maroon 5 perform at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Gavin DeGraw is seen onstage at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Lionel Richie, left, and Vanessa Minnillo present the award for artist of the year at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Chris Daughtry, of the band Daughtry, perform at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Chris Daughtry, of the band Daughtry, perform at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Julie Bowen, left, and Sarah Hyland are seen onstage at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley are seen onstage at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley are seen onstage at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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David Hasselhoff, center, dances onstage with LMFAO at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
Keenan Cahill and David Hasselhoff are seen onstage as Redfoo and SkyBlu of the music group LMFAO perform onstage at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Chris Daughtry of the band Daughtry performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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David Hasselhoff, right, and Keenan Cahill dance onstage while LMFAO performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Redfoo of the band LMFAO performs onstage at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Ryan Tedder and the band OneRepublic perform at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Marc Anthony, left, and Pittbull perform at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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David Hasselhoff dances onstage while LMFAO performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Joe Jonas presents the award for Sprint new artist of the year at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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The band Hot Chelle Rae, from left, Ian Keaggy, Nash Overstreet, Ryan Follese, and Jamie Follese, accept the Sprint new artist of the year award at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Berry Gordy, center, dances onstage while LMFAO performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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David Hasselhoff and Keenan Cahill are seen onstage while LMFAO perform at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Joe Jonas is seen at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Taylor Swift accepts the award for artist of the year at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Katy Perry performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Taylor Swift poses backstage with the awards for country favorite female artist, country favorite album, and artist of the year at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Jennifer Lopez performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Will.I.Am performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Will.I.Am performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Jennifer Lopez performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Christina Aguilera performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Hot Chelle Rae performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Jennifer Lopez poses backstage at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Nicki Minaj poses backstage at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Heidi Klum, left, presents Katy Perry with the special award for five number one singles from one album at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Enrique Iglesias performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, in Los Angeles.
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Adam Lambert is seen onstage at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Jennifer Lopez performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Ludacris, left, and Enrique Iglesias perform onstage at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Jennifer Lopez performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Enrique Iglesias performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Chris Brown performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Gene Simmons, left, and Shannon Tweed arrive at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Nicki Minaj performs at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Katy Perry arrives at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Sarah Drew arrives at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Selena Gomez arrives at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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Michael The Situation Sorrentino arrives at the 39th Annual American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in Los Angeles.
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