Taylor Swift [ tickets ] won five American Music Awards--including the evening's big prize, Artist of the Year--during Sunday's (11/22) ceremony at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre, while the late Michael Jackson [ tickets ]'s haul of four posthumous awards brought his total to a record-breaking, career-spanning 23 AMAs.

Wearing one white, rhinestone-studded glove, Jermaine Jackson accepted his brother's awards. Swift handed Jackson his only loss of the night, in the Artist of the Year category.

"First of all, I would like to thank Allah for blessing my entire family," Jermaine Jackson said. "Dick Clark, for all the support. For those of you who don't know, Dick Clark gave us one of the very first opportunities from the beginning when we were the Jackson 5. We miss you Michael. You'll always be in our hearts."

Swift accepted her awards via satellite from London, England's Wembley Arena, where she was set to perform on Monday.

"Music has never been ultimately about competition," she said. "To even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson, who we will miss and love forever, is an unimaginable honor."

Swift was also named favorite Female Pop/Rock and Country Artist and Favorite Adult-Contemporary Artist. Her album, "Fearless," won Favorite Country Album. Jackson was voted favorite male artist in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories.

Other winners included The Black Eyed Peas [ tickets ], who thanked the city of Los Angeles for its support and belief in the band while accepting the award for Favorite Band, Duo or Group in the Pop/Rock genre. Rascal Flatts [ tickets ] won Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group for the fifth year in a row. "You guys have been amazing employers this year," lead singer Gary LeVox told the audience. "Thank you. Keep employing us."

Green Day was honored with Best Alternative Rock band, over Shinedown and Kings of Leon. "As far as alternative music, it's been a part of my life--especially punk-rock music," said lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. "Bands from the past, the present and the future need support, and thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you."

But the evening was more about performances than the actual awards. The show kicked off with 8 minutes of Janet Jackson performing a medley of her hits, including "Control," "What Have You Done For Me Lately?"and "Miss You Much." Her band played a few riffs of Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" in honor of her late brother.

The performances were some of the best of recent award shows. Kelly Clarkson, in a stripped-down version of "Almost Gone," was spot on. Voted Favorite Pop/Rock band, The Black Eyed Peas earned a standing ovation for their renditions of "I Got A Feeling" and "Boom Boom Pow," which saw will.i.am wearing a pompadour wig and Kanye West sunglasses. The medley ended with a few riffs of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Like Clarkson, Carrie Underwood proved why she won "American Idol," with her pitch-perfect version of her latest hit, "Cowboy Casanova." A hood-wearing Eminem made a rare award-show appearance, performing "Crack a Bottle" with 50 Cent and a live band.

But Lady Gaga was the most dynamic performer, playing the emotionally charged "Speechless" on a piano engulfed in flames in a glass case. That followed her live take on "Bad Romance," her current single.

Others were a little on the weak side. Channeling Duran Duran in the "Wild Boys" video, Rihanna was flashy but flat on "Wait Your Turn" and "Hard." She donned a skin-tight, white-striped bodysuit that revealed a "Rated R" tattoo (the title of her forthcoming album) that started at her neck and went down her chest. Jennifer Lopez was disappointing with her generic pop song that she clearly mimed, and literally fell on her rear at one point during the performance.

The show closed with an S&M-fueled performance by "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert [ tickets ]. Season-eight winner Kris Allen was relegated to presenter.

Artist of the Year
Taylor Swift

Pop/Rock--Favorite Male Artist
Michael Jackson

Pop/Rock--Favorite Female Artist
Taylor Swift

Pop/Rock--Favorite Band, Duo or Group
The Black Eyed Peas

Pop/Rock--Favorite Album
"Number Ones," Michael Jackson

Country--Favorite Male Artist
Keith Urban

Country--Favorite Female Artist
Taylor Swift

Country--Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts

Country--Favorite Album
"Fearless," Taylor Swift

Rap/Hip-Hop--Favorite Male Artist
Jay-Z

Rap/Hip-Hop--Favorite Album
"Blueprint 3," Jay-Z

Soul/R&B--Favorite Male Artist
Michael Jackson

Soul/R&B--Favorite Female Artist
Beyonce

Soul/R&B--Favorite Band, Duo or Group
The Black Eyed Peas

Soul/R&B--Favorite Album
"Number Ones," Michael Jackson

Soundtracks--Favorite Album
"Twilight" Soundtrack

Alternative Rock--Favorite Artist
Green Day

Adult Contemporary--Favorite Artist
Taylor Swift

Latin--Favorite Artist
Aventura

Contemporary Inspirational--Favorite Artist
Mary Mary

T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award
Gloriana

International Awards of Excellence
Whitney Houston