Justin Bieber won three prizes at last night's American Music Awards.

The 18-year-old singer - who was accompanied to the bash by his mother Pattie Mallette - was the big winner at the ceremony, taking home pop/rock male artist, pop/rock album for Believe and the evening's final accolade, the coveted artist of the year award.

Accepting pop/rock male artist, he said, "I want to say this is for all the haters who thought I was just here for one or two years. I feel like I'm going to be here for a very long time."

For his third win, Justin brought his mother on stage with him and told her, "I wanted to thank you for always believing in me... This is my mom. She's little, but she's beautiful."

The Believe star also performed twice at the ceremony, duetting with Nicki Minaj on their track "Beauty and a Beat" and a stripped-back solo acoustic performance of "As Long As You Love Me."

Meanwhile, "Starships" singer Nicki picked up two prizes, taking home rap/hip-hop artist and rap/hip-hop album for Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.

Taylor Swift was awarded the prize for country female artist for the fifth time. "This is unreal. I want to thank the fans. You guys are the ones who voted on this," she said.

Other winners included new artist of the year Carly Rae Jepsen, Usher, who bagged soul/R&B male artist and Beyonce Knowles, who picked up the female equivalent.

Perfomers at the ceremony, which took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, included Usher, Kelly Clarkson, Ke$ha and PSY with MC Hammer.

American Music Awards full list of winners:
Artist of the year: Justin Bieber
New artist of the year: Carly Rae Jepsen
Pop/rock female artist: Katy Perry
Pop/rock male artist: Justin Bieber
Pop/rock band, duo or group: Maroon 5
Pop/rock album: Justin Bieber, 'Believe'
Country female artist: Taylor Swift
Country male artist: Luke Bryan
Country band, duo or group: Lady Antebellum
Country album: Carrie Underwood, 'Blown Away'
Rap/hip-hop artist: Nicki Minaj
Rap/hip-hop album: Nicki Minaj, 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded'
Soul/R&B female artist: Beyonce
Soul/R&B male artist: Usher
Soul/R&B album: Rihanna, 'Talk That Talk'
Alternative rock artist: Linkin Park
Adult contemporary artist: Adele
Latin artist: Shakira
Contemporary inspirational artist: tobyMac
Electronic dance music artist: David Guetta