AMAs 2012 Photos: Show & Backstage Pics From the American Music Awards

Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, Usher and more at the AMAs on Nov. 18, 2012
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Rapper/singer Nicki Minaj and singer Justin Bieber perform onstage during the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/AMA2012/Getty Images for AMA)


Nicki Minaj, Cyndi Lauper and Taylor Swift pose in the audience at the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles.


Pink is extremely acrobatic during her performance at the AMAs. 


Usher holds his new AMAs trophy aloft. 


LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Singer Christina Aguilera performs onstage during the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage)


Ke$ha is held aloft by her dancers during her dramatic 2012 AMAs.


Justin Bieber hugs his mom in the audience at the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles.


Winner Justin Bieber shows off his new AMAs trophy on stage at the American Music Awards, Nov. 18, 2012 in Los Angeles. 


Nicki Minaj, in pink and white, performs during the 2012 AMAs.


LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Recording artist Pitbull performs onstage during the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)


LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Singer Justin Bieber accepts the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album from Jenny McCarthy onstage during the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Taylor Swift sings during the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles.


Nicki Minaj and Christina Aguilera compare blonde locks backstage at the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles. 


Carly Rae Jepsen performs "Call Me Maybe" from among pastel phone booths onstage at the 2012 American Music Awards.


Usher performs "Numb," "Climax" and "Can't Sop Won't Stop" at the 2012 American Music Awards Nov. 18.


Chris Brown and Swizz Beatz in shades together at the 2012 AMAs. 


LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Singer Nicki Minaj (C) onstage during the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/AMA2012/Getty Images for AMA)


Taylor Swift takes the mic onstage at the AMAs. 


Taylor sings her heart out along side her masked dancer at the 2012 AMAs.


No Doubt's Gwen Stefani preforms during the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles. 


Ke$ha and her "Die Young" skull dancers get down during her performance at the AMAs


PSY is all smiles (and shades) in his seat in the audience at the 2012 American Music Awards.


Taylor Swifttakes a breather during her very busy night at the 2012 AMAs.


Taylor Swift gets down (literally) onstage during the 40th American Music Awards.


LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Recording artists will.i.am and Usher pose in the audience at the 40th American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/AMA2012/Getty Images for AMA)

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