The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards nominations were announced in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning, though we can't really say we were focused on the lucky nominees.
Christina Aguilera presented the noms, and did so in a skintight, purple Alexander Wang dress that pretty much boggles the mind ... literally. In certain shots, the fabric covering her chest is pulled so tight it creates a circular, almost hypnotizing pattern. You're getting very, very sleepy...
Pre-show hosts Lance Bass, Kimberly Cole, Tristan Wilds and Brad Goreski also joined in the festivities, where it was revealed that Nicki Minaj and Rihanna lead the pack with four nominations each, while Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usher each earned three noms.
See below for the full list of nominees, and click "Launch Gallery" above to see all of the shots from the nomination announcement.
The 40th American Music Awards, also featuring a performance by Xtina, air live on Sunday, Nov. 18 on ABC.
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
· Beyoncé
· 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
FAVORITE ARTIST - LATIN
· Don Omar
· Pitbull
· Shakira
FAVORITE ARTIST - CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
· Jeremy Camp
· Newsboys
· tobyMac
FAVORITE ARTIST - ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
· David Guetta
· Calvin Harris
· Skrillex
