American Music Awards 2012: Justin Bieber Wins Big [WINNERS LIST, SLIDESHOW]

Pattie Mallette Justin Bieber — Pattie Mallette Speaks Up on Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez's Situation Reuters

It was a night of extravagant performances and awards at the 40th American Music Awards held at the Nokia Theatre LA Live on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Canadian pop star Justin Bieber won all three categories in which he was nominated, including the artist of the year, over Rihanna, Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and Drake.

"This is for all the haters who thought that maybe I was just here for one or two years, but I feel like I am going to be here for a very long time," Bieber said on stage after receiving the award. He was accompanied by his mother, Pattie Mallette, after his widely reported split from girlfriend Selena Gomez.

"It's hard growing up with everything going on, with everyone watching me. I wanted to say that as long as you guys keep believing in me, I want to always make you proud," Bieber added.

The 18-year-old Boyfriend singer who also picked up the award for Favourite Pop/Rock Male artist and Favourite Pop/Rock Album performed his hit song As Long As You Love Me was later joined by rapper Nicki Minaj while they performed their new single Beauty and the Beat. Minaj, who won two awards, Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Album, also sang her latest hit Freedom in a winter wonderland-themed set.

Chris Brown also hit the stage and even went shirtless as he joined Ludacris and Swizz Beatz to perform the song Everyday Birthday at the show. French DJ David Guetta won the first-ever American Music Award for electronic dance music over DJs Calvin Harris and Skrillex. The other highlight of the awards show was performances by Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Kesha, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Pitbull, No Doubt, Usher and Carly Rae Jepsen.

South Korean Internet sensation Psy closed the show with a performance of his viral hit Gangnam Style, and was joined on stage by surprise guest MC Hammer.

"How lucky I am!! Gonna be the Closing of #AMAs!! #HammerTime," Psy tweeted ahead of his performance.

There was also tribute to Legendary TV Personality Dick Clark, who created the American Music Awards in 1973. Singer Brandy paid tribute to the late Whitney Houston, who died from accidental drowning on the night before the Grammy Awards in February.

The American Music Awards nominees were selected based on sales and airplay, and fans chose the winners by voting online. Take a look at the list of winners at the event:

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS 2012: THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Artist of the year: Justin Bieber

New artist of the year: Carly Rae Jepsen

Pop/rock female artist: Katy Perry

Pop/rock male artist: Justin Bieber

Pop/rock band, duo or group: Maroon 5

Pop/rock album: Justin Bieber, Believe

Country female artist: Taylor Swift

Country male artist: Luke Bryan

Country band, duo or group: Lady Antebellum

Country album: Carrie Underwood, Blown Away

Rap/hip-hop artist: Nicki Minaj