Taylor Swift was the big winner last night at the American Music Awards picking up five awards, including artist of the year.  Michael Jackson, who had been expected to enjoy a clean sweep, ended up with four awards. He and Swift went head-to-head in the Artist of the Year race, the ceremony's final prize.

Swift accepted her awards live via satellite from backstage at London's Wembley Arena, where she will perform a concert November 23.  "Music has never been ultimately about competition," she said, after winning the Artist of the Year award. "To even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson, who we will miss and love forever, is an unimaginable honor."

Swift was also named favorite female artist in the pop/rock and country categories, and favorite adult-contemporary artist. Her 2008 album "Fearless," the best-selling release in the United States this year, was named favorite country album.

Michael Jackson was named favorite male artist in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories, while his 2003 hits collection "Number Ones" was named favorite album in both those categories. The album is the No. 2 seller this year in the United States.  His brother Jermaine, accompanied by his sons, accepted on his behalf. 

Sister Janet Jackson opened the show with a medley of some of her biggest hits.  But the performance that turned most heads during the three-hour ceremony was the closing number from "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert.  Lambert shocked the crowd with a racy S&M themed, sexually charged performance of his new single, "For Your Entertainment," that included him kissing a male keyboard player and running a male dancer's face in his crotch.

A mishap during the show was when Jennifer Lopez landed on her bottom after jumping off the arched back of one of her dancers during her performance of her new song "Louboutins."

Other performers included Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Shakira, Carrie Underwood, Mary J. Blige, Eminem with Fifty Cent, Timbaland with Nelly Furtado and Soshy, Daughtry, and Kelly Clarkson.

The Black Eyed Peas and Jay-Z picked up two awards each.  The Black Eyed Peas were named favorite group in both the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories. Jay-Z won favorite male artist and favorite album for "Blueprint 3" in the rap/hip-hop categories.

Beyonce, who was performing a show in Dublin, was named favorite female artist in the soul/R&B category. Punk rock trio Green Day won the favorite alternative artist. Favorite country male artist went to Keith Urban, while Rascal Flatts picked up the award for favorite country group for the fourth year in a row.  The Breakthrough Artist (of all genres) went to new country group, Gloriana.

Whitney Houston received the International Artist Award, and performed "I Didn't Know My Own Strength."

Other winners included Aventura winning for favorite Latin music artist, and Mary Mary picking up the favorite contemporary inspirational artist award.  The Twlight Soundtrack won for favorite soundtrack album.

Rapper Eminem, making a rare awards-show appearance in the wake of his four nominations, went home empty-handed. Glam-pop singer Lady Gaga, rock band Kings of Leon and jailed rapper T.I., who earned three nominations each, were also snubbed.

Nominees are determined by radio airplay and retail sales, while members of the public determine the winners through online voting. That's why Jackson got so many nominations, even though he didn't release any new material.