LOS ANGELES -- It’s the country cutie versus the King of Pop at this year’s American Music Awards.
Taylor Swift comes into Sunday’s ceremony with six nominations.
Michael Jackson has five. And both are up for artist of the year.
Also vying for the show’s top prize are multiple nominees Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga and Eminem.
The American Music Awards honor the year’s top-selling artists in the categories of pop/rock, country, rap/hip-hop, soul/R&B, alternative, adult contemporary, Latin and contemporary inspirational. Fans voted online to select the winners.
Swift, who has enjoyed a chart-topping year with her crossover album “Fearless,” is up for female artist and favorite album in the pop/rock and country categories. She’s also nominated for favorite adult-contemporary artist.
Jackson is nominated for male artist and favorite album in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories for his greatest-hits collection, “Number Ones.” The 2003 album surged in popularity after Jackson died in June at age 50.
Eminem has four nominations: Pop/rock male artist and rap/hip-hop artist and album for “Relapse,” along with artist of the year. Lady Gaga and Kings of Leon have three nods each. She’s up for female artist and album for her debut, “The Fame,” and the Nashville quartet is up for alternative artist and favorite pop/rock band.
Other triple-nominees include Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas and T.I.
Even more than awards, the AMAs are about the performances, and
more than a dozen artists are set to take the stage Sunday. Rihanna, Whitney Houston, Green Day, Jennifer Lopez, Lil’ Wayne, Keith Urban, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and Adam Lambert are among those planning to perform. Janet Jackson is set to open the show with a medley of songs.
