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However Taylor Swift was not there, but she’s apparently incredibly popular. She beat out Michael Jackson to win Entertainer of the Year and took home a total of five American Music Awards.

The highlight of the night for me was Whitney Houston’s performance of “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” While the rasp was present throughout the performance, the girl knows how to command a stage. She belted out the performance until she was almost out of breath. It was a powerful moment.

Michel Jackson ended up with four awards. Other multiple winners included hip-hop acts Jay-Z and the Black Eyed Peas, with two 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 in the rap/hip-hop categories.

Punk rock trio Green Day was named favorite alternative artist. Rascal Flatts won favorite country group for the fourth year in a row.

Check out the individual photo galleries for Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Rihanna, Fergie, Shakira, Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Alex Meraz, Leona Lewis, Pete Wentz, Selena Gomez, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, Bobby Trendy, Ne-Yo, Val Kilmer, Kristen Bell, Sofia Vergara, Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson.

What the performances of Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Adam Lambert after the jump.

Check out all of our American Music Awards coverage here!

Here is our gallery of photos from the 2009 American Music Awards show featuring Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, Samuel L Jackson, Nelly Furtado, Timbaland, Black Eyed Peas, Melissa Etheridge, Jermanine Jackson, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Gloriana, Mary J Blige, Jennifer Lopez, Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Keith Urban, Demi Lovato, Kris Allen, Jermaine Jackson, Janet Jackson, Jay Z, Alex Rodriguez, Julie Bowden, Sofia Vergara, Kelly Clarkson, Shakira, Christian Slater and Green Day.