2009 American Music Awards show

Adam Lambert and Kris Allen

Well, it's official: Taylor Swift is more popular than Michael Jackson. At the 2009 American Music Awards, Swift beat out Jacko (as well as Lady Gaga, Eminem and Kings of Leon) for the top prize of Artist of the Year. You have no one to blame but yourselves, people; AMAs are handed out based on fan voting. All told, Swift took home five trophies; Jackson received four. Jay-Z and Black Eyed Peas were the evening's only other multiple award-winners, with two wins apiece.

But who cares about the awards? The big stories at the AMAs are always the performances, and this year was no exception. Lady Gaga smashed a glass case to get to her piano; Whitney Houston brought audience members to tears with a triumphant return; Janet Jackson got the evening off to a high-energy start with a medley of hits. The biggest diva of the night, however, proved to be "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert, who closed out the show with a positively salacious performance of "For Your Entertainment," the title track from his debut album. S&M costumes, stripper poles, and guy-on-guy tongue-tussling? Check, check and mate! Glambert's show-stealing performance will be tweeted about for weeks.

Related items:

• 2009 AMAs: list of winners
• 2010 American Music Award nominees