40th Annual American Music Awards (2012)
Welcome to Digital Hit Entertainment's coverage of the 2012 American Music Awards which took place on Sunday, November 18th, 2012.
8:00 PM
The show starts with a performance by Usher.
8:07 PM
Ryan Seacrest takes to the stage to talk about the AMA's history and present the night's first award. Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist. And the AMA goes to Justin Bieber, who points out his date for the night: his mom. He says the award is for "all the haters" which means that he's sharing it with a lot of people.
8:15 PM
Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet presents Favorite Country Female Artist. He shouts despite the fact that he has a mic. And the AMA goes to Taylor Swift.
8:18 PM
Next up: Pretty Little Liar's Lucy Hale and American Idol's Phillip Phillips to introduce a performance by Carly Rae Jepsen. So very tired of "Call Me Maybe".
8:23 PM
We now segue into a performance by The Wanted. So far I'm happy I don't listen to the radio.
8:31 PM
Randy Jackson, gives a shout out to Hurricane Sandy and ask people to donate to the Red Cross. He then introduces a performance by Kelly Clarkson, who pimps her upcoming greatest hits album by singing a medley.
8:36 PM
Stacy Keibler and Ne-Yo strut out to present Hip-Hop/Rap Album. And the AMA goes to Nicki Minaj for "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded". She seems very low key.
8:40 PM
Cyndi Lauper introduces a performance by Ke$ha. So far most of the performances sound the same. Nothing is sticking out as a wow moment.
8:48 PM
Pop duo Karmin intro a performance by No Doubt. Fun group, so it's nice to see them making music together again.
8:52 PM
Kerry Washington and Apolo Anton Ohno present Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock. And the AMA goes to Linkin Park. They make a short'n'sweet speech.
8:59 PM
Country act Florida Georgia Line introduce a performance by Taylor Swift.
9:04 PM
From Once Upon A Time Jennifer Morrison Ginnifer Goodwin present Soul/R&B Male Artist. And the AMA goes to Usher, his eighth career AMA.
9:11 PM
Lady Antebellum work together to present Favorite Country Male Artist. And the AMA goes to Luke Bryan. It's his first AMA.
9:14 PM
And now Linkin Park perform.
9:18 PM
After a stroll in the Park, we get Nicki Minaj performing in a snowy forest.
9:27 PM
Heidi Klum bares a little leg as she introduces a very athletic performance by P!nk.
9:33 PM
The Backstreet Boys present the Old Navy New Artist of the Year Award. And the AMA goes to Carly Rae Jepsen.
9:40 PM
Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillat explain how the awards work, introduce the artists and then give away the Favorite Country Band Duo or Group Award. And the AMA goes to Lady Antebellum.
9:42 PM
Carly Rae Jepsen introduces Justin Bieber. Time for a sandwich break.
9:49 PM
Elisha Cuthbert and Kelly Rowland intro a new category: Electronic Dance Music. And the AMA goes to David Guetta. He's not there, but we get a pre-taped thanks.
9:57 PM
Gloria Estefan introduces a performance by Christina Aguilera. She seems to be channeling Lady Gaga's Born This Way.
10:02 PM
We go straight from Xtina's performance to one by Pitbull.
10:12 PM
Luke Bryan and Jenny McCarthy are presenting Pop/Rock Album. McCarthy looks like a sexy secretary with her cateye glasses. And the AMA goes to Justin Bieber for "Believe". Cue the Four Horsemen.
10:15 PM
Luke and Jenny intro Carrie Underwood.
10:24 PM
Brandy comes out to pay tribute to Whitney. She then introduces a performance by Swizz Beatz, Ludacris and Chris Brown.
10:29 PM
Hayden Panettiere and 50 Cent present Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist. And the AMA goes to Nicki Minaj.
10:37 PM
Neon Trees work together to present Favorite Country Album. And the AMA goes to Carrie Underwood for "Blown Away".
10:39 PM
Ryan Seacrest starts the tribute to Dick Clark. The tribute performance starts with Stevie Wonder.
10:50 PM
Will.i.am is presenting the final category of the night, Artist of the Year. And the AMA goes to Justin Bieber. He drags his mother up on stage.
10:53 PM
And now Will.i.am introduces a performance of Gangnam Style by Psy. So, lemme get this straight: a rapper from Korea gives the one of the best performances of the night on the American Music Awards. And he gets joined by MC Hammer.
10:58 PM
And that's it, we're out of here.
Here are the nominees (and winners (*)):
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Justin Bieber *
- Drake
- Maroon 5
- Katy Perry
- Rihanna
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- J. Cole
- fun.
- Gotye
- Carly Rae Jepsen *
- One Direction
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
- Justin Bieber *
- Flo Rida
- Pitbull
- Usher
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
- Kelly Clarkson
- Nicki Minaj
- Katy Perry *
- Rihanna
FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
- fun.
- Maroon 5 *
- One Direction
- The Wanted
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
- Justin Bieber, "Believe" *
- Maroon 5, "Overexposed"
- Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded"
- One Direction, "Up All Night"
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan *
- Eric Church
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
- Miranda Lambert
- Taylor Swift *
- Carrie Underwood
FAVORITE BAND, DUO or GROUP - COUNTRY
- Zac Brown Band
- Lady Antebellum *
- Rascal Flatts
FAVORITE ALBUM - COUNTRY
- Luke Bryan, "Tailgates & Tanlines"
- Lionel Richie, "Tuskegee"
- Carrie Underwood, "Blown Away" *
FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
- Drake
- Nicki Minaj *
- Tyga
FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
- J. Cole, "Cole World: The Sideline Story"
- Drake, "Take Care"
- Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" *
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
- Chris Brown
- Trey Songz
- Usher *
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
- Beyoncé *
- Mary J. Blige
- Rihanna
FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
- Chris Brown, "Fortune"
- Rihanna, "Talk That Talk" *
- Usher, "Looking 4 Myself"
FAVORITE ARTIST - ALTERNATIVE ROCK
- The Black Keys
- Gotye
- Linkin Park *
FAVORITE ARTIST - ADULT CONTEMPORARY
- Adele *
- Kelly Clarkson
- Train
FAVORITE ARTIST - LATIN
- Don Omar
- Pitbull
- Shakira *
FAVORITE ARTIST - CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
- Jeremy Camp
- Newsboys
- tobyMac *
FAVORITE ARTIST - ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
- David Guetta *
- Calvin Harris
- Skrillex