It was a big night for Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake and Rihanna at the 41st annual American Music Awards on Sunday. The biggest names in music came out in force for the event which puts the fans in charge. And Taylor Swift went home a happy girl, bagging the night’s top prize for artist of the year.

The 23 year-old seemingly unstoppable Taylor Swift beat relative veterans Justin Timberlake and Rihanna, among others, to win artist of the year for the third time. She also took home favourite female pop/rock artist, female country artist and country album for her 2012 record "Red," which features tracks about love and heartbreak.

Taylor Swift, Recording Artist, said, "This validates that if you voted for this that we are heartbroken the same way, and we fall in love the same way, and we’re happy the same way, and the fact that you would listen to my music means that we’re on the same page, and I’m 23 and I have no idea what’s going to happen to me in my life, but I figure if you decided on something as wonderful as this, then we’re pretty much in it together aren’t we?"

Timberlake, 32, who returned to the musical spotlight this year after a five-year hiatus with "The 20/20 Experience," was nominated in five categories and won three, including favourite male pop/rock artist.

Newcomer hip-hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who led the nominations with six nods, came away with two wins including best rap/hip-hop artist. The pair used their acceptance speech to address a social issue.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Recording Artists, said, "He reminded me of a great Martin Luther King quote. He said ’injustice anywhere is is a threat to justice everywhere,’ and due to the fact that we are in Florida tonight accepting this award, I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin, and the hundreds and hundreds of kids each year that are dying due to racial profiling and the violence that follows it."

British boy band One Direction beat Swift and Timberlake for the best pop/rock album for "Take Me Home" and also won favourite pop/rock group. Other winners included Luke Bryan for favourite male country artist and singer Marc Anthony for favourite Latin artist.

R&B singer Rihanna, 25, was given the first ever Icon accolade at the American Music Awards, introduced by political satirist Bill Maher as "the voice of the 21st Century." Rihanna has sold 50 million albums across the world and is the best-selling digital artist in history. The star was given the Icon award by her mother Monica Fenty, who praised the singer in an emotional speech.

Monica Fenty said, "I know the journey and your career has not always been an easy one but tonight I applaud and admire you for being so strong and so positive and so humble and so focused. It’s amazing how you always manage to take the good from your experiences."

The American Music Awards nominees and winners are chosen by the public, who vote online and via Twitter.