Earlier today we learned all about Adam Lambert‘s shocking performance at the 2009 American Music Awards last night, as well as Jennifer Lopez‘s embarrassing fall at the AMAs … but there were other things going on at the Nokia Theater where the AMAs took place that are kinda worth mentioning. Celebs strutted their stuff on the red carpet on the way into the show, other folks performed songs without incident and a few awards were even handed out … who knew? Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals:

Yes, peeps were lookin’ purdy and stuff on the red carpet but let’s get to the awards. Taylor Swift, who has been cleaning up at awards shows all year long already, was the biggest winner of the night … she took home 5 awards including Artist of the Year! Michael Jackson also enjoyed a big night last night taking home a few posthumous awards of his own as did Whitney Houston, who became the 7th person ever to win the International Artist of the Year award from the AMAs:

Country crossover star Taylor Swift overshadowed the late Michael Jackson at the American Music Awards on Sunday, winning five prizes including artist of the year. Jackson, who had been expected to enjoy a clean sweep, ended up with four awards. He and Swift went head-to-head in the artist of the year race, the ceremony’s final prize. Other multiple winners included hip-hop acts Jay-Z and the Black Eyed Peas, with two each. Swift, 19, was also named favorite female artist in the pop/rock and country categories, and favorite adult-contemporary artist. Her 2008 album “Fearless,” the best-selling release in the United States this year, was named favorite country album. She accepted her awards live via satellite from backstage at London’s Wembley Arena, where she will perform a concert on Monday. “Music has never been ultimately about competition,” Swift said, after winning the artist of the year prize. She said it was an “unimaginable honor” to be cited in the same category as Jackson, and thanked the Jackson family. Jackson was named favorite male artist in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories, while his 2003 hits collection “Number Ones” was named favorite album in both those categories. The album is the No. 2 seller this year in the United States. His brother Jermaine, accompanied by sons Jeremy, Jaafar and Jermajesty, accepted on his behalf. At one point, he thanked Allah “for blessing my entire family.” Rapper Eminem, making a rare awards-show appearance in the wake of his four nominations, went home empty-handed. Glam-pop singer Lady Gaga, rock band Kings of Leon and jailed rapper T.I., who earned three nominations each, were also snubbed. 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. His wife Beyonce, who was performing a show in Dublin, was named favorite female artist in the soul/R&B category. Punk rock trio Green Day won the favorite alternative artist. Rascal Flatts won favorite country group for the fourth year in a row.

Crazy, right? Well, since the AMAs are handed out according to fan voting I guess it’s all Y’ALL’s fault that Taylor won so many awards. The girl must really be enjoying life right now … whether it’s deserved or not (many, many folks argue that it is not) she is really taking home some major awards this year. I say, congrats … I hope she really appreciates it all. After the jump, check out a few photos from the AMAs show itself and see what else went down on the Nokia Theater stage last night …

For me, Mary J. Blige‘s performance was the best of the night … she sounded beautiful, looked amazing and was the epitome of class. She didn’t need flashing lights on her clothes, outrageous attention grabbing antics or auto-tuned lip syncing to turn in a stellar performance. She was awesome. Overall I found the AMAs not very exciting … once the censorship came into play, I turned off the show and went to the Internets to watch the unedited performances online. Congrats to all the winners but, meh, the show itself wasn’t all that. Did y’all enjoy the show? Did your fave artists take home Lucite trophies last night?

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]