Pop diva's comeback suffers awards setback

Mariah Carey won female R&B/soul artist. Picture / Reuters

Singer Mariah Carey suffered a surprise setback in the resurrection of her career when she picked up just one prize at the American Music Awards last night, having led the field with four nominations.

Multiple honours went to country star Tim McGraw, punk rock trio Green Day, pop singer Kelly Clarkson, R&B trio Destiny's Child and funk band the Black Eyed Peas, who each won a pair.

History almost repeated for Carey, 35, who went home empty-handed in 1997 after leading with six nominations.

But some things do not change. Many of the winners were not present, including Green Day, Clarkson and the Black Eyed Peas. Other no-shows included rappers Eminem and 50 Cent, and R&B singer R. Kelly.

Carey won the evening's first award, for favourite soul/R&B female artist, and it seemed as if she was set for a clean sweep. But the 20,000 music-buyers whose votes determine the winners had other ideas.

She lost the favourite female pop/rock prize to Gwen Stefani, who seemed surprised by the win. Later, Carey's comeback album, The Emancipation of Mimi, lost the pop/rock and soul/R&B races to Green Day's American Idiot and Destiny's Child Destiny Fulfilled, respectively.

Carey's album is one of the biggest sellers of the year, with worldwide sales of more than 7 million copies, according to her Island Def Jam label. The single We Belong Together ruled the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 14 weeks.

Four years ago, Carey's career hit the skids as she released a flop movie and album. Her previous label, Virgin Records, which had just signed her to a contract reportedly worth US$80 million ($115.5 million), paid her US$28 million to leave.

Stefani, 36, had just finished a duet with hip-hop impresario Pharrell and was trying to negotiate her way backstage when her name was called.

"What did I win?" she asked, after rushing back to the stage.

Nashville star Tim McGraw, 38, won the favourite male artist and favourite album prizes in the country category. The awards brought his career tally to eight.

The Black Eyed Peas were named favourite group in the pop/rock and soul/R&B categories.

Destiny's Child, represented by Kelly Rowland, also won the soul/R&B award for favourite group, while Green Day's haul also included favourite artist in the alternative music category.

Inaugural American Idol winner Clarkson was named favourite adult contemporary artist. She also won a viewers' choice award determined by text messages sent in from people at home.

Performers included reunited British duo the Eurythmics, and the Rolling Stones, live via satellite from a concert in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Nominees are drawn from top acts determined by retail sales and radio airplay, while winners are voted on by a random poll of about 20,000 record-buyers.

- REUTERS