Los Angeles - Country crossover star Taylor Swift overshadowed the late Michael Jackson at the American Music Awards on Sunday, 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 favorite female artist in the pop/rock and country categories, and favorite adult-contemporary artist. Her 2008 album Fearless, the best-selling release in the United States this year, was named favorite 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 honor" 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 favorite 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 favorite group in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. Jay-Z won favorite male artist and favorite album in the rap/hip-hop categories.
Punk rock trio Green Day was named favorite alternative artist. Rascal Flatts won favorite 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. - Reuters
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