Drake, Justin Bieber rule American Music Awards

He joined the show via satellite during a stop on his "Purpose World Tour" in Zurich, Switzerland.

But pop singer Grande, 23, was chosen artist of the year, beating Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Gomez.

"Most of you know a lot of my life whether I like it or not". I kept it all together enough to where I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down.

"I don't want to see your bodies on Instagram".

First, her American Horror Story co-star Matt Bomer provided an introduction: "Working with this woman", he said, "I've gotten to see how passionate she is about the things that truly matter".

"More chune for ya head, so watch how you speak my name", he said. "If you are broken, you don't have to stay broken". But Stratford, Ont. -born Bieber could - he's the only male musician nominated in that category alongside powerhouses Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez and Carrie Underwood.

"People should have a certain amount of respect for the government and the president and the vice president, but the president and the vice president and all those people should have a certain amount of respect for the people that they're catering to", she said. Others are also promoting new albums, including Lady Gaga, Sting and Green Day.

Former "Saturday Night Live" comic Jay Pharaoh, who is hosting the show with model Gigi Hadid, impersonated Drake in amusing form on the red carpet ahead of the show.

Gigi Hadid (impersonating Melania Trump): "I love my husband".

Shawn Mendes performs a medley of "Treat You Better/Mercy" at the 2016 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California November 21, 2016.

Producer Diplo echoed her support for free speech. Plus, Robert Downey, Jr., stopped by the show to give Sting the honor of the American Music Award of Merit.

Sting said he owed a debt to American rock and roll, adding "While I may be an Englishman in NY, my musical soul is all American". "My musical soul is all American!"

In an unusual quirk, Prince's 1984 album "Purple Rain" took the prize for favourite soundtrack, 32 years since its release, after sales spiked following his accidental death from an overdose in April. But the tribute from Prince's sister, Tyka Nelson, was genuinely touching, as she praised her late brother for defying odds as "a black teen from Minneapolis with a goal to electrify the world".

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