Comeback continues for Carey; Wilson garners country award
Sugarland won the breakthrough new artist award.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Mariah Carey continued her career comeback Tuesday, receiving the favorite female artist in the soul/R & amp;B category at Tuesday's 33rd annual American Music Awards -- one of four honors for which she was nominated.
"Thank you so much for the warmth and the love," said the pop diva, whose chart-topping album "The Emancipation of Mimi" was also nominated for two awards.
Carey bested Ciara and Fantasia to collect the first award of the night. However, she lost out later for best female pop artist to Gwen Stefani.
Stefani's win came as a shock to the singer, who had just left the stage after performing with rapper Pharrell.
Quotable
"What did I win?" she asked as she was presented her first American Music Award. "I guess whatever I won, I just want to say thank you to the fans, especially all my girls. Imagine what it feels like to be me all these years and have your support. It's just outrageous."
Taking the award for country female artist was Gretchen Wilson.
Pop trio Destiny's Child took home the favorite band award in the soul/R & amp;B category.
"This feels very awkward being up here by myself," said singer Kelly Rowland, who accepted the award on behalf of the group. "I miss my girls, Beyonce and Michelle, wherever you are. I love you so much."
In a cross-genre category, country group Sugarland bested alternative rockers The Killers and pop singer Jesse McCartney for the breakthrough new artist award.
Eminem
And in awards presented off-camera, rapper Eminem won the favorite male artist in the rap/hip-hop division where he had been up against 50 Cent and Ludacris.
Carey opened the telecast wearing a sequined, silver, spaghetti-strap gown slit to the waist as she performed a rousing rendition of "Don't Forget About Us." Before collecting her award, she performed a quick change into a black evening gown.
Host Cedric The Entertainer took to the stage wearing a grey pinstripe suit and holding a boombox that he dubbed the first iPod.
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