Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj were the big winners at the 40th annual American Music Awards on Sunday night. Bieber left with 3 awards, including “Artist of the Year,” while Minaj won twice including “Rap/Hip-Hop Album” for Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. In between commercial breaks during the 3-hour show, Nicki Minaj caught up with Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift and Cyndi Lauper. Drake and friend/producer Noah “40 Shebib” posed for a photo with Usher, and Chris Brown let loose with Swizz Beatz backstage.

Check out photos from the red carpet arrivals here, and performance footage here.

View the list of winners and photos backstage after the jump…..

Photo Credit: Getty Images

2012 American Music Awards – Winners:

Artist of the Year – Justin Bieber
New Artist of the Year – Carly Rae Jepsen
Favorite Male Artist: Pop/Rock – Justin Bieber
Favorite Female Artist: Pop/Rock – Katy Perry
Band, Duo, or Group: Pop/Rock – Maroon 5
Album: Pop/Rock – Justin Bieber, Believe
Male Artist: Country – Luke Bryan
Female Artist: Country – Taylor Swift
Band, Duo, or Group: Country – Lady Antebellum
Album: Country -  Carrie Underwood, Blown Away
Artist: Rap/Hip-Hop – Nicki Minaj
Album: Rap/Hip-Hop – Nicki Minaj , Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
Male Artist: Soul R&B – Usher
Female Artist: Soul R&B – Beyonce
Album: Soul R&B – Rihanna, Talk That Talk
Artist: Alternative Rock – Linkin Park
Artist: Adult Contemporary – Adele
Artist: Latin – Shakira
Artist: Contemporary Inspirational – tobyMac
Artist: Electronic Dance Music (EDM) – David Guetta

Previously:
PSY and MC Hammer Close Out the 2012 AMAs “Gangham Style” (Video)
Usher, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Swizz Beatz, Chris Brown & Ludacris Perform at the 2012 American Music Awards
50 Cent, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown Style at the 2012 AMAs Red Carpet
Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige & Drake Perform at the 2011 American Music Awards (Video)