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ACM win caps weekend for Taylor Swift

There was little surprise when Taylor Swift won entertainer of the year at The Academy of Country Awards on Sunday night — except maybe in how little surprise the 22-year-old sensation showed when her name was called.

Swift displayed none of her normal expressions of astonishment after winning the academy's top honor for the second year in a row. And, in fact, neither did her competitors, who gracefully if grimly acknowledged her as she hugged her way to the stage. With millions of albums sold and millions of new fans turned on to country music — and turning out to vote for her — the award had the feel of a coronation.

“She deserved it,” fellow nominee and show co-host Blake Shelton said. “When those announcements came out who was nominated, I remember saying right then — I don't think I said I hope Taylor wins because I hoped I would win — but Taylor deserves it. I don't think there is anyone with half a brain that would say otherwise. She has done a lot for us in country music. We are lucky enough in country music to call her one of us. But I am always going to make fun of her in my monologues so she might as well get used to that.”

Miranda Lambert and the duo of Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson were the top winners with two trophies each and their early victories overshadowed Swift initially. Lambert took her third consecutive female vocalist award, and was matched by husband Shelton, who ended Brad Paisley's five-year run in the male vocalist category. She also won album of the year for a record-tying third time for “Four the Record.” Aldean and Clarkson won single record and vocal event of the year for their steamy duet “Don't You Wanna Stay.”

Swift was a mostly silent presence for much of the show. Shelton and co-host Reba McEntire poked a little fun at her, wondering about that rumored date with New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow. She eventually lost in the female vocalist and video categories and didn't perform.

When it came time for Lionel Richie to announce the entertainer winner, though, a feeling of inevitability had taken over. By then, the night's top nominee and Swift's main rival in the category, nine-time nominee Kenny Chesney, had been shut out of the awards. The other entertainer nominees were Aldean and Brad Paisley.

With the win she becomes the second woman to win two ACM entertainer of the year awards, following Carrie Underwood's wins the two previous years. Receiving the fan-voted trophy capped an incredible 24 hours that was nonetheless tinged with melancholy.

She spent Saturday in Los Angeles where first lady Michelle Obama presented her with The Big Help Award at The Kids' Choice Awards for her charitable work, something she said made her nervous because she considers Obama a role model.

“She was so cool,” Swift said.

After that great experience, however, the ACMs were tempered by the fact her date couldn't make it. Somerdale, N.J., high school student Kevin McGuire, who has leukemia, was hospitalized on Friday with a virus.

“But I called him yesterday and told him that the next award show that he is well for we are going,” Swift, wearing an elegant white floor-length dress with gold accents, said backstage.

For Swift, though, the night will be remembered as the bow on top of the “Speak Now” portion of her career. That multiplatinum album was the second-best selling LP of 2011. She filled stadiums and arenas around the world, and Billboard recently named her its top moneymaker last year with an estimated $35 million earned. She also won two Grammys earlier this year.

“It was an amazing thing and for me I am always looking forward, I am always looking at what's next,” Swift said. “And I'm writing my next record right now as I have been for the past two years, but intensely writing my next record right now. I hope it's good. Keep your fingers crossed. I would love it if it was good.”

Swift, Lambert have a good night at ACMs

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