The run-up to this year's edition has been dominated by the controversy surrounding Taylor Swift and her former manager Scooter Braun, who own some rights to her early songs. Among other things, Swift claimed that Braun tried to stop her from performing a medley with old songs on the gala, which was denied from the record label that Braun's investment company owns. Later, a clarification also came from the company that gave Swift green light.

Most prized

In a white shirt with the titles of all their albums written in black, however, the superstar started medleying with The man before changing gear to gold and running classics such as Love story and Blank space, before receiving the special award as a decade's artist in Los Angeles.

- Everyone who is here today wants to create something lasting, whatever it is in life. This is an award that draws attention to art, hard work - and fun and memories, but what matters to me are the memories I have gained with your fans all over the world, she said as she received the tribute award.

With the five awards Swift won this year, she is the artist who has received the most American music awards in total, says Billboard.

Cute figurine

17-year-old Billie Eilish was also a winner at the gala, where she received two early awards for this year's newcomer and best alternative rock artist.

"This is so cute," she said as she held up the glass pyramid figurine.

In addition to Eilish and Swift, Green Day, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Dookie, featured, among other things, presenting the Basketball case.