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Taylor Swift reacts on satellite television picture after winning artist of the year at the 2009 American Music Awards - Source: Reuters -
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Country crossover star Taylor Swift overshadowed the late
Michael Jackson at the American Music Awards, winning five awards
including artist of the year.
Jackson, who had been expected to enjoy a clean sweep, ended up
with four awards.
He and Swift went head-to-head in the artist of the year race,
the ceremony's final prize.
Other multiple winners included hip-hop acts Jay-Z and the Black
Eyed Peas, with two each.
Swift, 19, was also named favourite female artist in the pop/rock
and country categories, and favourite adult-contemporary
artist.
Her 2008 album Fearless, the best-selling release in the United
States this year, was named favourite country album.
She accepted her awards live via satellite from backstage at
London's Wembley Arena, where she will perform a concert on
Monday.
"Music has never been ultimately about competition," Swift said,
after winning the artist of the year prize.
She said it was an unimaginable honour to be cited in the same
category as Jackson, and thanked the Jackson family.
Jackson was named favourite male artist in the pop/rock and
soul/R&B categories, while his hits collection Number Ones was
named favourite album in both those categories.
His brother Jermaine accepted on his behalf, at one point thanking
Allah "for blessing my entire family."
Rapper Eminem, making a rare awards-show appearance in the wake of
his four nominations, went home empty-handed.
The Black Eyed Peas were named favourite group in both the pop/rock
and soul/R&B categories.
Jay-Z won favourite male artist and favourite album in the
rap/hip-hop categories.
Punk rock trio Green Day was named favourite alternative
artist.
Rascal Flatts won favourite country group for the fourth year in
a row.
Nominees are determined by radio airplay and retail sales, while
members of the public determine the winners through online
voting.
That's why Jackson got so many nominations, even though he didn't release any new material.
The 2009 American Music Award winners are:
Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Rock/pop
Male artist: Michael Jackson
Female artist: Taylor Swift
Band, duo or group: Black Eyed Peas
Album: Michael Jackson, Number Ones
Soul/R&B
Male artist: Michael Jackson
Female artist: Beyonce
Album: Michael Jackson, Number Ones
Rap/Hip-Hop
Artist: Jay-Z
Country
Male artist: Keith Urban
Female artist: Taylor Swift
Band, duo or group: Rascal Flatts
Album: Taylor Swift, Fearless
Miscellaneous
Adult Contemporary: Taylor Swift
Alternative Rock: Green Day
Soundtrack Album: "Twilight Soundtrack"
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award: Gloriana
International Award of Excellence: Whitney Houston
