Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake win big at American Music Awards

Taylor Swift, winner of the Artist of the Year, Favourite Pop/Rock Female Artist, Favourite Country Female Artist, and Favourite Country Album awards, poses in the press room at the 2013 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, California. (AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. Brown)

LOS ANGELES: Pop diva Taylor Swift was named Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards (AMA) Sunday, while other big winners included British boy band One Direction and crooner Justin Timberlake.

Swift, who took to the stage in a shiny golden mini-dress, also won favourite country artist and favourite country album for "Red" at the AMAs, which are voted by the public.

Other highlights included typically idiosyncratic performances by Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus, who wrapped up the three-hour show by singing her hit "Wrecking Ball" with a giant crying kitten.

Katy Perry opened the show on a Japanese theme, emerging demurely from behind a geisha-girl flanked screen in a kimono before launching into her latest hit "Unconditionally."

Timberlake was the first winner of the show, aired live from the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles and hosted by Latino rapper Pitbull, taking favourite pop/rock male prize.

Justin Timberlake, winner of the Favourite Soul/R&B Male Artist, Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist, and Favourite Soul/R&B Album awards, poses with his awards in the press room at the 2013 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, California. (AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. Brown)

He also won best R&B/Soul album and best male R&B/Soul artist.

One Direction, who sang a stripped-down version of their song "Story of My Life," ended the evening with favourite pop/rock group and favourite pop/rock album for "Take Me Home."

Rihanna took best female R&B/Soul artist, and was also presented with an AMA Icon award by her mother.

The evening took a brief political turn when best rap/hip-hop album went to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis -- who used a satellite link speech from Miami to refer to the notorious killing of black Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

"Due to the fact that we are in Florida… I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids each year that are dying due to racial profiling and the violence that follows it," said Macklemore.

But it was left to Cyrus -- closely watched ever since her twerking turn at the MTV Video Music Awards -- to end the show in suitably twitter-storming style, in a cat-covered bikini and with a giant orange and white kitten singing along behind her.