Nicki Minaj, Rihanna Lead Nominations for 40th ANNUAL AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

Nicki Minaj and Rihanna Individually Lead 2012 Nominations; Christina Aguilera Confirmed to Perform; New Electronic Dance Music Category Created; Winners Determined by Online Voting at amavote.com

Recording artist Christina Aguilera revealed the "The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards(R)" ("AMAs") nominations this morning from the J.W. Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE (see full list of nominees below). It was also announced that Christina Aguilera will be performing on this year's show which will be broadcast live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are now on sale (please visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 1-877-234-8425.).

For the fourth consecutive year, the live online pre-show "Coca-Cola Red Carpet LIVE! @ The 2012 AMAs" will stream live for fans worldwide starting at 5:00 p.m., ET / 2:00 p.m., PT and will be hosted by Lance Bass, Kimberly Cole, Brad Goreski and Tristan Wilds, among other hosts to be announced -- including a NOKIA correspondent. Viewers will be able to watch the live show on ABC.com, AMAs365.com, Cokemusic.com, Livestream, Ustream, YouTube and through AP Live Entertainment. Livestream and Ustream-powered video players will be made available to media partners, as well as for the websites and Facebook Pages of participating talent.

Nicki Minaj and Rihanna both lead this year with 4 nominations individually, while Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usher follow with 3 nominations each and Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, fun., Gotye, J.Cole, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Bryan and Pitbull collected 2 nominations. This year's 2012 Artist of the Year nominees are Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5, Katy Perry and Rihanna. This year also marks the creation of the new Electronic Dance Music Category. Nominees include David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex.

For the sixth year, winners will be determined by online voting that starts today. Fans can vote at the Coca-Cola AMA voting website, amavote.com, as well as AMA.abc.com. Artists will be honored in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin, Contemporary Inspirational and -- for the first year ever -- Electronic Dance Music. Fans can go to the official homepage of "The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards," ama.abc.com, to find performer and presenter announcements, artist information and more.

"The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards" are produced by Dick Clark productions, inc. (DCP) Allen Shapiro and Orly Adelson will executive produce the show. Larry Klein will produce. The program will be broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.

Shapiro, Adelson, and Klein jointly stated: "The 40th American Music Awards will once again represent the epitome of pop culture, featuring today's biggest stars and music icons all on one stage."

Fans can go to ama.abc.com, AMAs365.com, follow the AMAs on Twitter @theamas, and like the AMAs on Facebook at facebook.com/amas to find performer and presenter announcements, artist information, Memes, Gifs and more. Starting tomorrow, fans will also be able to watch "AMAs On Demand," a weekly web series hosted by Lance Bass, Kimberly Cole and Megan Turney. The web series will be published weekly to YouTube (youtube.com/awardsshownetwork), ABC.com and other streaming partners and will cover all things "AMA," including breaking news, artist spotlights, retrospectives on fashion, acceptance speeches, red carpet and backstage interviews.

2012 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Justin Bieber
Drake
Maroon 5
Katy Perry
Rihanna

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
J. Cole
fun.
Gotye
Carly Rae Jepsen
One Direction

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST  POP/ROCK
Justin Bieber
Flo Rida
Pitbull
Usher

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST  POP/ROCK
Kelly Clarkson
Nicki Minaj
Katy Perry
Rihanna

FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP  POP/ROCK
fun.
Maroon 5
One Direction
The Wanted

FAVORITE ALBUM  POP/ROCK
Justin Bieber /Believe
Maroon 5/Overexposed
Nicki Minaj/Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
One Direction/Up All Night

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST  COUNTRY
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST  COUNTRY
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

FAVORITE BAND, DUO or GROUP - COUNTRY
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts

FAVORITE ALBUM - COUNTRY
Luke Bryan/Tailgates & Tanlines
Lionel Richie/Tuskegee
Carrie Underwood/Blown Away

FAVORITE ARTIST  RAP/HIP-HOP
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Tyga

FAVORITE ALBUM  RAP/HIP-HOP
J. Cole/Cole World: The Sideline Story
Drake/Take Care
Nicki Minaj/Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST  SOUL/R&B
Chris Brown
Trey Songz
Usher

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST  SOUL/R&B
Beyonc?
Mary J. Blige
Rihanna

FAVORITE ALBUM  SOUL/R&B
Chris Brown/Fortune
Rihanna/Talk That Talk
Usher/Looking 4 Myself

FAVORITE ARTIST - ALTERNATIVE ROCK
The Black Keys
Gotye
Linkin Park

FAVORITE ARTIST - ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Adele
Kelly Clarkson
Train

 Â© RD / Orchon / Retna Digital.

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