American Music Awards 2012: A big night for Justin Bieber

Singer Justin Bieber accepts the Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist award during the 40th American Music Awards on Nov. 18, 2012, in Los Angeles. / Kevin Winter/Getty

Justin Bieber was named favorite artist of the year Sunday, beating out Rihanna, Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and Drake for the top prize at the American Music Awards. It was his third award of the night.
The 18-year-old teen idol pulled his mother, Pattie Malette, onstage to help him accept the award. "This is my mom," he said. "She's little, but she's beautiful." He thanked her for believing in him.
Bieber won the very first award of the night -favorite pop/rock male artist - and he accepted with the comment: "I want to say this is for all the haters who thought that I was just here for one or two years. I feel like I'm going to be here for a very long time."

When he returned to the stage to claim his award for favorite pop/rock album (for his "Believe"), he corrected what he saw as an oversight and thanked his long-time mentor, Usher, among others.
Rapper Nicki Minaj also was a multiple winner, taking awards for favorite rap/hip hop album (for "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded") and favorite rap/hip hop artist. She and Rihanna went into the ceremony with the most nominations - four each. Rihanna, who was on tour and did not attend, won an award for favorite soul/R&B album (for "Talk That Talk").