Taylor Swift wins big at American Music Awards

 LOS ANGELES: Country music songstress Taylor Swift was the big winner Sunday at the American Music Awards, walking away with three prizes including Artist of the Year.

British soul diva Adele also won three gongs, while Canadian teen sensation left empty handed at the awards, voted for by fans and announced at a star-studded show in Los Angeles.

Bieber, who was last year's big winner at the AMAs, sang a tune from his Christmas-themed album "Under the Mistletoe," but failed to win in the only category in which he was shortlisted, for best pop/rock male artist.

Other winners included Katy Perry, Beyonce and Nicki Minaj, who won both rap/hip-hop gongs up for grabs.

Adele won in three of the four categories in which she was nominated -- but did not attend the show, in Los Angeles Nokia Theatre, as she is out of action after undergoing throat surgery.

But the big news of the night was Swift, who took all three prizes for which she was nominated -- artist of the year, as well as best female artist and best album for "Speak Now" in the country music category.

Swift -- who was named entertainer of the year at the Country Music Awards a few weeks ago, called her AMA triumph "one of the most amazing things that have ever happened to me."

The 21-year-old from Pennsylvania is no stranger to music industry glory: she has son four Grammys, including album of the year last year for her second record "Fearless."

Here are winners in key categories:
Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift.
Best pop/rock female artist: Adele.
Best pop/rock male artist: Bruno Mars.
Best rap/hip-hop artist: Nicki Minaj.
Best soul/R&B male artist: Usher.
Best soul/R&B female artist: Beyonce.
Best country female artist: Taylor Swift.
Best country male artist: Blake Shelton.
Best Latin artist: Jennifer Lopez.
Best new artist: Hot Chelle Rae.