Even if Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, and Linkin Park get shut out at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards on November 18, they’re all guaranteed airtime: The trio of artists have been added to the lineup as live performers, joining the previously announced Christina Aguilera. This year’s ceremony doesn’t have a host, but Lance Bass, Kimberly Cole, Brad Goreski, Sean Kingston, and Tristan Wilds will share hosting duties for the live online pre-show.
Minaj, who opened last year’s show and walked away with two AMA statues, is up for four awards, tying with Rihanna for the night’s most nods. Both singers are nominated in the Favorite Female Pop/Rock Artist category against Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson. Swift, who won big at the 2011 AMAs, is eligible for the Favorite Female Country Artist award. Considering AMA nominees are determined by popularity and winners are voted on by fans, and Swift’s newest album, Red, is on track to move a million units in its first week, the country-pop charmer can most likely rest easy.
Linkin Park, who released Living Things earlier this year, picked up a nod for Favorite Alternative Rock Artist, which is well-worn territory for the Cali band: They won the prize in 2008, 2007, 2004, and 2003. Aguilera was not nominated for any awards this time, but the singer and Voice judge can look forward to the November 13 release of her upcoming seventh studio album, Lotus, which features lead single “Your Body.” The last time Xtina took the AMAs stage solo, she was pimping her movie Burlesque, and this happened:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IWyHsOae264
The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards will broadcast live from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on November 18 at 8 p.m. EST. Fans can vote at the Coca-Cola AMA voting website or at the show’s page on ABC’s website. See the full list of nominees below.
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
Beyoncé
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
