Rihanna

Rihanna ruled the American Music Awards in Los Angeles by picking up top honors and delivering the night’s performance highlight.

The diva was awarded “Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist” for the third time at the fan-voted awards on Sunday night. The “Diamonds” singer also accepted the first-ever Icon Award, which was presented to her by her mother, Monica Braithwaite, following a video commemoration from Jay Z and a video montage showing Rihanna’s career highlights

“Tonight I applaud and admire for being so strong and so positive and so humble and so focused. It’s amazing how you I’m so blessed to be part of this historic moment,” Rihanna’s mother gushed on stage.

“Just about 20 years ago I began giving your life a living hell with my husky... man voice, as you called it,” the singer revealed. “I annoyed every one of my neighbors... I can’t believe at 25-years-old I’m holding an Icon Award. That sounds weird saying that out loud,” declared Rihanna.

Other big winners of the night included Justin Timberlake and Taylor Swift. The former received the Favourite Pop/Rock Male award, while the later took home Favourite Female Country Artist and Favourite Country Album for her latest release, Red.

“I cannot believe what you’ve done in the last year. This album came out almost exactly a year ago and the fact that six million of you went out and bought it is crazy,” Taylor Swift gushed.

One Direction, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, Ariana Grande were also among the AMA winners. One Direction took home Favourite Pop/Rock Group and Favourite Pop/Rock Album, Ariana Grande was crowned Best New Artist, and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis won Favourite Rap/Hip-Hop Album.

The 2013 American Music Awards were hosted by Pitbull.