Bieber, 16, takes home four music awards

JUSTIN BIEBER scooped four trophies at his first American Music Awards.

The 16-year-old heartthrob captured every category in which he was nominated, including the top award of the night — favourite artist. He beat a list which featured veterans Eminem and Usher as well as Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.

Bieber became the youngest person ever to win the trophy.

He also won favourite pop/rock album, favourite pop/rock male, and the show’s breakthrough artist award.

“I can’t stop smiling; this is amazing,” he said after he also beat Eminem and Usher for favourite pop/rock male.

“Truly I don’t know how this is possible because I’ve been singing Eminem since I was three and Usher is my mentor. So this is big.”

Eminem, along with Lady Antebellum, had been the leading contender, with five nominations. He did not leave empty-handed though, winning two, along with Usher, who also nabbed a pair. Lady Antebellum took home one.

Other winners included Black Eyed Peas and Taylor Swift, but the ceremony at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles was as much a showcase for acts with new albums as it was a celebration of the biggest achievers of 2010.

Rihanna, with her hair dyed ruby red, gave the show a colourful and sexy start, performing a medley of songs from her just released album Loud, including the No 1 hit What’s My Name, wearing a bustier and what seemed like a scarf wrapped around her backside.

“This is amazing!” said an exuberant Rihanna, who danced on stage later to receive her award — favourite soul/R&B female. She ended her speech by yelling: “Wassup! Thank you!”

The Black Eyed Peas, winners for favourite pop/rock band, sang from boxes on top of the stage during part of their performance of their new single, The Time.

But some of the prime-time performances were given to acts who were not nominated, but had albums to promote.

Diddy’s latest incarnation with the group Diddy- Dirty Money sang material from their upcoming album, while Kid Rock gave a stirring, acoustic performance of Times Like These, his song lifting up his hometown of Detroit during its recent economic struggles, from his new CD, Born Free.

A pregnant Pink was among the evening’s performance highlights. Unlike recent performances marked by a high-wire act, she stayed close to the ground to perform her latest song, Raise Your Glass, but thrilled nonetheless with a tightly choreographed, high-energy dance number.

Perry had the evening’s most explosive performance as pyrotechnics accentuated her performance of her latest song, Firework.

Swift, last year’s artist of the year, took home favourite country female.