Christina Aguilera, who was just revealed as the first performer confirmed for the show, had the honor of announcing the nominees for 40th Anniversary American Music Awards. Topping the list are Nicki Minaj and Rihanna with four nominations a piece. Following closely behind are rake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usher with three each. The 2012 Artist of the Year nominees include Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5, Katy Perry and Rihanna.
The 2012 AMAs will take place at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Sunday, November 18th (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC. Voting is now open online at AMA.abc.com.
2012 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
* Justin Bieber
* Drake
* Maroon 5
* Katy Perry
* Rihanna
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
* J. Cole
* fun.
* Gotye
* Carly Rae Jepsen
* One Direction
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
* Justin Bieber
* Flo Rida
* Pitbull
* Usher
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
* Kelly Clarkson
* Nicki Minaj
* Katy Perry
* Rihanna
FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
* fun.
* Maroon 5
* One Direction
* The Wanted
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
* Justin Bieber /Believe
* Maroon 5/Overexposed
* Nicki Minaj/Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
* One Direction/Up All Night
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
* Jason Aldean
* Luke Bryan
* Eric Church
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
* Miranda Lambert
* Taylor Swift
* Carrie Underwood
FAVORITE BAND, DUO or GROUP – COUNTRY
* Zac Brown Band
* Lady Antebellum
* Rascal Flatts
FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY
* Luke Bryan/Tailgates & Tanlines
* Lionel Richie/Tuskegee
* Carrie Underwood/Blown Away
FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
* Drake
* Nicki Minaj
* Tyga
FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
* J. Cole/Cole World: The Sideline Story
* Drake/Take Care
* Nicki Minaj/Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
* Chris Brown
* Trey Songz
* Usher
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
* Beyonce
* Mary J. Blige
* Rihanna
FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
* Chris Brown/Fortune
* Rihanna/Talk That Talk
* Usher/Looking 4 Myself
FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK
* The Black Keys
* Gotye
* Linkin Park
FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY
* Adele
* Kelly Clarkson
* Train
FAVORITE ARTIST – LATIN
* Don Omar
* Pitbull
* Shakira
FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
* Jeremy Camp
* Newsboys
* tobyMac
FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
* David Guetta
* Calvin Harris
* Skrillex
Source: American Music Awards
