Justin Bieber Is Triple Winner At American Music Awards Spectacular

Justin Bieber stunned the _A_merican Music _A_wards and his mother in Los _A_ngeles on Sunday night (18Nov12) when he was named _A_rtist of the Year.

The Baby hitmaker had already claimed the night's first trophy for Favorite Pop/Rock Male _A_rtist and the Favorite Pop/Rock _A_lbum prize when his name was called as will.i.am presented the ceremony's last category.

Dragging his reluctant mum Pattie Mallette up onstage with him, the pop superstar said, "This is my mom, she's little but she's beautiful... I wanna thank you for just always believing in me... This is amazing."

He also addressed the drama swirling around his personal life amid reports he and longtime girlfriend Selena Gomez have split up, telling fans, "_A_s long as you guys keep believing in me... I wanna always make you proud."

It was a great night for Bieber's musical family too - his mentor Usher and protege Carly Rae Jepsen both performed and took home awards.

Usher was named Favorite Soul/R&B Male _A_rtist and Jepsen beat One Direction to score the New _A_rtist prize.

Other performance highlights came from The Wanted, Kelly Clarkson, Ke$ha, No Doubt, Christina _A_guilera, Taylor Swift and Pink, who recreated her dramatic performance dance video for Try onstage at the Nokia Theatre, while Psy closed the show with his international smash hit Gangnam Style - and a special guest.

The South Korean pop sensation was joined onstage by MC Hammer for a mash-up of his catchy anthem and Too Legit to Quit.

Psy and dance music star David Guetta made history at the _A_M_A_s by winning the first ever New Media _A_ward and Favorite Electronic Dance Music _A_rtist honours, respectively.

There was also a tribute to the late DICk Clark, who created the _A_merican Music _A_wards. The music and Tv mogul's longtime pal Stevie Wonder took to the stage to perform a three-song medley of hits as images of Clark, who died in _A_pril (12), were beamed onto a screen behind him.

The 2012 _A_MA winners are:

Favorite _A_dult Contemporary _A_rtist - _A_dele

Favorite Contemporary Inspirational _A_rtist - tobyM_A_C

Favorite Latin Music _A_rtist - Shakira

Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo or Group - Maroon 5

Favorite Pop/Rock Female _A_rtist - Katy Perry

Favorite Soul/R&B _A_lbum - Talk That Talk by Rihanna

Favorite Soul/R&B Female _A_rtist - Beyonce

Favorite Pop/Rock Male _A_rtist - Justin Bieber

Favorite Female Country _A_rtist - Taylor Swift

New Media _A_ward - Psy

Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop _A_lbum - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded by Nicki Minaj

Favorite _A_lternative Rock _A_rtist - Linkin Park

Favorite Soul/R&B Male _A_rtist - Usher

Favorite Country Male _A_rtist - Luke Bryan

New _A_rtist of the Year - Carly Rae Jepsen

Favorite Country Band/Duo or Group - Lady _A_ntebellum

Favorite Electronic Dance Music _A_rtist - David Guetta

Favorite Pop/Rock _A_lbum - Believe by Justin Bieber

Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop _A_rtist - Nicki Minaj

Favorite Country _A_lbum - Blown _A_way by Carrie Underwood

_A_rtist of the Year - Justin Bieber.