The 40th Annual American Music Awards was held on November 18, 2012 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles. The awards recognized the most popular artists and albums from the year 2012. It was broadcast live on ABC. The nominees were announced on October 9, 2012 by Christina Aguilera. This year included a brand new category, Electronic Dance Music. Justin Bieber won all three of his nominations, and of each of their four nominations, Nicki Minaj won two, and Rihanna one. Katy Perry won one of her 2 nominations, whereas Adele and Taylor Swift each won the award for which they were nominated.
Performers Artist(s) Song(s) Ref Usher "Numb""Climax""Can't Stop Won't Stop" Carly Rae Jepsen "This Kiss""Call Me Maybe" The Wanted "I Found You" Kelly Clarkson "Miss Independent""Since U Been Gone""Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)""Catch My Breath" Kesha "Die Young" No Doubt "Looking Hot" Taylor Swift "I Knew You Were Trouble" Linkin Park "Burn It Down" Nicki Minaj "Freedom" P!nk "Try" Justin BieberNicki Minaj "As Long As You Love Me""Beauty and a Beat" Christina Aguilera "Lotus Intro""Army of Me""Let There Be Love" PitbullChristina Aguilera "Don't Stop the Party""Feel This Moment" Carrie Underwood "Two Black Cadillacs" Swizz BeatzChris BrownLudacris "Everyday Birthday" Stevie Wonder Tribute to Dick Clark:"Master Blaster (Jammin')""My Cherie Amour""Sir Duke" PsyMC Hammer "Gangnam Style""2 Legit 2 Quit"
Presenters
Ryan Seacrest - presented Favorite Pop Rock Male Artist Eric Stonestreet - presented Favorite Country Female Artist Lucy Hale & Phillip Phillips - introduced Carly Rae Jepsen Randy Jackson - introduced Kelly Clarkson Stacy Keibler & Ne-Yo - presented Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album Cyndi Lauper - introduced Kesha Karmin - introduced No Doubt Kerry Washington & Apolo Ohno - Favorite Alternative Artist Florida Georgia Line - introduced Taylor Swift Jennifer Morrison & Ginnifer Goodwin - presented Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist Lady Antebellum - presented Favorite Country Male Artist Heidi Klum - introduced P!nk Backstreet Boys - presented Old Navy New Artist of the Year Colbie Caillat & Gavin DeGraw - presented Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group Carly Rae Jepsen - introduced Justin Bieber & Nicki Minaj Kelly Rowland & Elisha Cuthbert - presented Favorite Electronic/Dance Music Artist Gloria Estefan - introduced Christina Aguilera Luke Bryan & Jenny McCarthy - presented Favorite Pop/Rock Album & introduced Carrie Underwood Brandy - paid tribute to Whitney Houston & introduced Swizz Beatz, Chris Brown & Ludacris Hayden Panettiere & 50 Cent - presented Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist Ryan Seacrest - paid tribute to Dick Clark & introduced Stevie Wonder Neon Trees - presented Favorite Country Album will.i.am - presented Artist of the Year & introduced Psy & MC Hammer
Winners and nominees Artist of the Year Old Navy New Artist of the Year Justin Bieber Drake Maroon 5 Katy Perry Rihanna Carly Rae Jepsen J. Cole fun. Gotye One Direction Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist Justin Bieber Flo Rida Pitbull Usher Katy Perry Kelly Clarkson Nicki Minaj Rihanna Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group Favorite Pop/Rock Album Maroon 5 fun. One Direction The Wanted Believe – Justin Bieber Overexposed – Maroon 5 Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – Nicki Minaj Up All Night – One Direction |- ! style="background:#EEDD82; width="50%"| Favorite Country Male Artist ! style="background:#EEDD82; width="50%"| Favorite Country Female Artist |- | valign="top" | Luke Bryan Jason Aldean Eric Church | valign="top" | Taylor Swift Miranda Lambert Carrie Underwood |- ! style="background:#EEDD82; width="50%"| Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group ! style="background:#EEDD82; width="50%"| Favorite Country Album |- | valign="top" | Lady Antebellum Rascal Flatts Zac Brown Band | valign="top" | Blown Away – Carrie Underwood Tailgates & Tanlines – Luke Bryan Tuskegee – Lionel Richie |- ! style="background:#EEDD82; width="50%"| Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist ! style="background:#EEDD82; width="50%"| Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album |- | valign="top" | Nicki Minaj Drake Tyga | valign="top" | Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – Nicki Minaj Cole World: The Sideline Story – J. Cole Take Care – Drake |- ! style="background:#EEDD82; width="50%"| Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist ! style="background:#EEDD82; width="50%"| Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist |- | valign="top" | Usher Chris Brown Trey Songz | valign="top" | Beyoncé Mary J. Blige Rihanna |- ! style="background:#EEDD82; width="50%"| Favorite Soul/R&B Album ! style="background:#EEDD82; width="50%"| Favorite Alternative Artist |- | valign="top" | Talk That Talk – Rihanna Fortune – Chris Brown Looking 4 Myself – Usher Linkin Park The Black Keys Gotye Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist Favorite Latin Artist Adele Kelly Clarkson Train Shakira Don Omar Pitbull Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist Favorite Electronic Dance Music Artist tobyMac Jeremy Camp Newsboys David Guetta Calvin Harris Skrillex
References