Justin Bieber became the youngest person ever to win the Artist of the Year prize at the American Music Awards (AMAs) last night (21.11.10).

The ‘Pray’ hitmaker was the big winner of the evening, taking home four accolades including Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favourite Album and Breakthrough Artist of the Year during the ceremony at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Accepting the Artist of the Year honour, the 16-year-old star thanked his mentor Usher and invited the ‘OMG’ singer to join him on stage.

He said: “I really was embraced by a man named Usher Raymond. It would be only right if I invited him up here to share it with me.”

Usher picked up two gongs himself, Favourite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favourite Soul/R&B Album, while rapper Eminem walked away with statuettes for Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist and Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Album.

Other winners at the 38th annual ceremony included country stars Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley; British rock band Muse, R&B singer Rihanna and Colombian pop star Shakira.

Michael Buble was heard shouting “I love winning things” when he picked up the Favourite Adult Contemporary Artist award.

Rihanna, Katy Perry, Kid Rock and Bon Jovi, all performed at the ceremony and boy bands New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) and Backstreet Boys joined up for their first collaborative live stage effort before they kick off a joint American tour next year.

Pink – who announced last week she is pregnant with her first child – did not allow her pregnancy to slow her down putting on an energetic dance routine to perform new song ‘Raise Your Glass’.

American Music Awards (AMAs) 2010, full list of winners:

Favourite Soul/R&B Album: Usher, ‘Raymond v. Raymond’

Favourite Pop Rock Band/Duo/Group: The Black Eyed Peas

Favourite Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift

Favourite Latin Music Artist: Shakira

Favourite Soul/R&B Female Artist: Rihanna

Favourite Country Male Artist: Brad Paisley

Favourite Breakthrough Artist: Justin Bieber

Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist: Justin Bieber

Favourite Country Band/Duo/Group: Lady Antebellum

Favourite Alternative Rock Music Artist: Muse

Favourite Adult Contemporary Music Artist: Michael Buble

Favourite Soul/R&B Male Artist: Usher

Favourite Artist of the Year: Justin Bieber

Favourite Country Album: Carrie Underwood, ‘Play On’

Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist: Eminem

Favourite Pop/Rock Album: Justin Bieber, ‘My World 2.0’

Favourite Pop/Rock Female Artist: Lady Gaga

Favourite Contemporary Inspirational Artist: MercyMe

Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Eminem, ‘Recovery’

Favourite Soundtrack Album: ‘Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers’