'It girls' and divas rule at American Music Awards

She was the most-nominated artist and the biggest winner with three trophies at this year's American Music Awards.

But US pop superstar Taylor Swift, rumoured to be enjoying some downtime in New Zealand, was a no-show at the annual music awards ceremony, which took place on Sunday night (Monday morning Singapore time) at Los Angeles' Microsoft Theater.

She won Song Of The Year, Favourite Pop/Rock Album and Favourite Adult Contemporary Artist.

It hardly mattered that her presence and oft-questionable dance moves were missing from this year's affair.

The three-hour star-studded extravaganza was packed with golden moments from start to end.

We look at some highlights.

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DANCING QUEEN

Compared to the slew of younger pop queens that set the stage on fire that night, US singer Jennifer Lopez is what some might call an "auntie".

Except that at 46, the sizzling pop star proved she can still give her younger counterparts a run for their money any day.

She flirted, shimmied and gyrated her pert bum to the beat of Taylor Swift's Bad Blood, Drake's Hotline Bling, The Weeknd's Can't Feel My Face and Rihanna's Bitch Better Have My Money, among other hits, to kick off the night.

US rapper Nicki Minaj, whose song Anaconda Lopez had danced to, was accused of throwing serious shade towards the singer when she was captured looking less-than-pleased when the camera panned towards her.

But Minaj, 32, hit back on Twitter and said: "Lol says what all? I'm looking at my own face on the screen when I'm looking to the right. I turn Bak & look @ her".

GIRL POWER

The pop world's current "It Girls" brought their A-game to the stage, easily eclipsing the performances of their male counterparts like One Direction and US singer Nick Jonas.

The ultra-fierce femme fatale persona adopted by Demi Lovato when she sang Confident was as memorable as Selena Gomez's sultry rendition of her hit Same Old Love.

Not to be outdone, Ariana Grande, who sang Focus, came with her own bag of stage tricks.

She had her dancer pull her white opera glove off her arm with his teeth before she stripped off the train of her slinky gown to reveal a figure-hugging bodysuit.

PARIS ATTACKS TRIBUTE

Jared Leto, frontman of US rock act Thirty Seconds To Mars, took time to pay tribute to the victims of the recent Paris attacks with a heartrending speech.

He said: "Earlier this year, my band Thirty Seconds To Mars wrapped up our European tour. We were looking for an excuse to perform at one of our favourite cities, Paris. We decided to play an impromptu show at a venue called Bataclan. It was beautiful, peaceful and unforgettable. What a difference a day makes."

He called the Paris attacks a "horrific and senseless tragedy" and quoted excerpts from a Facebook note written by French journalist Antoine Leiris, whose wife was killed at concert venue.

"France matters, Russia matters, Syria matters, Mali matters, the Middle East matters, the US matters, the entire world matters and peace is possible," Leto, 43, urged.

Canadian singer Celine Dion then took the stage, performing Hymne à L'amour by French singer Edith Piaf.

Audience members, including US singer Demi Lovato, were seen brushing away their tears during the emotional performance.

GRAND FINALE

It only makes sense to save the best for last.

In this case, it was Canadian singer and reformed bad boy Justin Bieber who pulled out all the stops.

Sporting his trademark hoodie-and-jeans look, the 21-year-old closed the night with a medley of hits from his chart-topping new album Purpose.

Kicking things off with a soulful acoustic rendition of What Do You Mean?, he turned it up a notch with the beat-heavy Where Are U Now.

Throwing his microphone on the floor, he then launched into his sleekest moves, which even Grande grooved along.

Bieber ended his performance drenched as heavy rain pelted him on stage while he performed his final hit Sorry.

He was reportedly reunited with his ex-girlfriend Gomez two days prior to their performances at the ceremony, when he had reportedly serenaded the 23-year-old with Sorry and The Temptations' My Girl at a hotel bar in Beverly Hills.

But at the awards show, the pair was not spotted together - effectively squelching rumours they have gotten back together again.

MAKE-OUT MINUTE

Do us all a favour and get a room, Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth.

The US singers ended their duet of their song Marvin Gaye with a long, sloppy kiss that seemed to go forever. Their unexpected show of passion - he had his hand on her bum while she forcefully leaned in for more - was enough to make anyone squirm.

Puth, 23, was quick to shut down the dating rumours that quickly followed.

He said backstage at the show: "We're friends and it's all part of my whole vision when I made Marvin Gaye (which is) for people to hear the record and spontaneously make out with each other. That was the goal tonight for the live show."

Like him, Trainor, 21, made it clear it was an innocent kiss.

She posted a photo of their on-stage smooch on Instagram with a caption that read: "All about dat ass grab doe @charlieputh proud of you Charlie #imsingle".