American Music Awards 2012 Highlights

Check out some of the best moments of this year's show.

American Music Awards 2012 Highlights - The 40th Annual 2012 American Music Awards was filled with star power, artist milestones and incredible performances. Leading the pack along with Rihanna in nominations was Nicki Minaj, who took home Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album. The special night is over, but look back on the rest of the show to see some of our favorite highlights.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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American Music Awards 2012 Highlights - The 40th Annual 2012 American Music Awards was filled with star power, artist milestones and incredible performances. Leading the pack along with Rihanna in nominations was Nicki Minaj, who took home Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album. The special night is over, but look back on the rest of the show to see some of our favorite highlights.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Pitbull Hypes the Crowd on Stage - Nominated for Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock and Favorite Artist – Latin, Pitbull brings his Miami-party flair to the LA Nokia Center, performing some of his latest hits live on stage.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Pitbull Hypes the Crowd on Stage - Nominated for Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock and Favorite Artist – Latin, Pitbull brings his Miami-party flair to the LA Nokia Center, performing some of his latest hits live on stage.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Swizzy, Chris and Luda Bring the Heat - Swizz Beatz, Chris Brown and Ludacris fire up the audience, bringing the hit single "Everyday Birthday" to the 2012 AMA stage. (Photo: REUTERS /DANNY MOLOSHOK /LANDOV)

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Swizzy, Chris and Luda Bring the Heat - Swizz Beatz, Chris Brown and Ludacris fire up the audience, bringing the hit single "Everyday Birthday" to the 2012 AMA stage. (Photo: REUTERS /DANNY MOLOSHOK /LANDOV)

Chris Brown's Team Breezy - Chris Brown's fans are notoriously defensive of their icon, forgiving him for every single misstep and lashing out viciously at any critics on Twitter. They went from accusing Rihanna of provoking Brown's 2009 assault of her to being the loudest defenders of their rekindled love.   (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Chris Brown Gets Beat Out by Rihanna - The singer's album, Fortune, was a nominee for Favorite Album – Soul/R&B, but got beat out by Rihanna's Talk That Talk. Regardless, he shared his talents with the millions watching at home. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Luda! - Emerging from working on his forthcoming album, Ludaversal, Ludacris hits the stage. The rapper's album is slated for release early next year, so maybe we'll see him back here battling for some hardware.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Luda! - Emerging from working on his forthcoming album, Ludaversal, Ludacris hits the stage. The rapper's album is slated for release early next year, so maybe we'll see him back here battling for some hardware.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Swizz Beatz Making a Comeback - Swizzy is back with his latest single, "Everyday Birthday," giving an epic performance and reminding the audience of his greatness. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Swizz Beatz Making a Comeback - Swizzy is back with his latest single, "Everyday Birthday," giving an epic performance and reminding the audience of his greatness. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

50 Cent and Hayden Panettiere  - The unlikely duo teamed up to present the AMA for Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop, which went to Nicki Minaj.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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50 Cent and Hayden Panettiere  - The unlikely duo teamed up to present the AMA for Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop, which went to Nicki Minaj.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Stevie Wonder Honors Dick Clark - Stevie Wonder performs a special tribute to late AMA founder and broadcast legend Dick Clark.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Stevie Wonder Honors Dick Clark - Stevie Wonder performs a special tribute to late AMA founder and broadcast legend Dick Clark.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Usher Wins and Performs - Winning Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, Usher graces the stage to deliver another charged performance.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Usher Wins and Performs - Winning Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, Usher graces the stage to deliver another charged performance.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Justin Bieber Shouts Out His Haters - Performing and accepting three awards, including Artist of the Year, Justin Bieber thanks all his "haters" that thought his success would just be a fad.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Nicki and Justin: Pop Stardom on Stage - Nicki Minaj joins Justin Bieber on stage for a lively performance of their "Beauty and a Beat." The two were excited to celebrate five individual wins that night.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Nicki and Justin: Pop Stardom on Stage - Nicki Minaj joins Justin Bieber on stage for a lively performance of their "Beauty and a Beat." The two were excited to celebrate five individual wins that night.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Ne-Yo: R.E.D. Star - Ne-Yo address the AMA audience with Stacy Keibler on stage. The singer just released his latest album, R.E.D. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Ne-Yo: R.E.D. Star - Ne-Yo address the AMA audience with Stacy Keibler on stage. The singer just released his latest album, R.E.D. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Brandy Honors Whitney - Brandy presents a special video tribute to her late mentor and friend Whitney Houston.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Brandy Honors Whitney - Brandy presents a special video tribute to her late mentor and friend Whitney Houston.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kerry Washington and Apolo Ohno - ABC's "Scandal" star Kerry Washington and U.S. Olympian Apolo Ohno speak onstage at the 40th AMAs.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Kerry Washington and Apolo Ohno - ABC's "Scandal" star Kerry Washington and U.S. Olympian Apolo Ohno speak onstage at the 40th AMAs.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Will.i.am Pushes the AMAs to Recycle - Will.i.am discusses the AMA's move to go paperless and use the Samsung Galaxy Note II to present awards.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Will.i.am Pushes the AMAs to Recycle - Will.i.am discusses the AMA's move to go paperless and use the Samsung Galaxy Note II to present awards.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images