Taylor Swift, Adele are big winners at American Music Awards 2011

It was the 21-year-old country singer who dominated the 2011 edition of the AMAs by winning three awards including the artist of the year. The singer also won the award for best country album for Speak Now, which was sold in over one million copies in the United States in its first week.

Finally, Taylor was recognized as the favorite country female artist, marking her fourth consecutive win in that category.

“Thank you so much oh my goodness, this is amazing,” she said, as she picked her first honor.

British soul singer Adele , 23, who was absent from the scene unbecause of her recent throat surgery, also won three awards, including favorite pop/rock female artist, adult contemporary artist and pop/rock album for her album 21.

Artist of the year in 2010, Justin Bieber walked away empty-handed even though he had been nominated in the best performer rock / pop. He took the stage to perform a song from his album of Christmas songs Under The Mistletoe.

Absent from the gala, Rihanna and Beyonce delivered their thank you speeches via video links. While Beyonce was chosen as the favorite soul/R&B female artist, Rihanna won the award for favorite soul/R&B album for Loud.

Katy Perry, took to the stage in pink attire, and was honored as the first female in the history of pop music to score five No. 1 singles from her album Teenage Dream.

Jennifer Lopez offered a raunchy performance which saw her strip off on stage and later collected her award for Favourite Latin Artist.

“It’s been up and down and just exciting and overwhelming and so many things,” JLo said as she picked her award, before thanking her “family” and her “babies.”

Nicki Minaj picked up trophies at the awards show, including honors for rap/ hip-hop artist and rap/ hip-hop album and opened the show with a performance of Turn Me On with DJ David Guetta and Super Bass.

Kelly Clarkson delivered a swinging rendition of her hit Mr. Know It All as back-up dancers dressed as 1930s-era photographers snapped the first-ever ‘American Idol’ champion.

Here is the complete list of winners at the 2011 AMAs:

— Adult Contemporary Artist: Adele

— Alternative Rock Artist: Foo Fighters

— Contemporary Inspirational Artist: Casting Crowns

— Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift

— Country Male Artist: Blake Shelton

— Country Band, Duo or Group: Lady Antebellum

— Country Album: Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”

— Latin Music Artist: Jennifer Lopez

— Pop/Rock Female Artist: Adele

— Pop/Rock Male Artist: Bruno Mars

— Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group: Maroon 5

— Pop/Rock Album: Adele, “21”

— Rap/Hip-Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

— Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Nicki Minaj, “Pink Friday”

— Soul/R&B Female Artist: Beyonce

— Soul/R&B Male Artist: Usher

— Soul/R&B Album: Rihanna, “Loud.”

— Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift

— New Artist of the Year: Hot Chelle Rae