Nicki Minaj, Rihanna Lead Nominations for 40th ANNUAL AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

Nicki Minaj and Rihanna Individually Lead 2012 Nominations; Christina Aguilera Confirmed to Perform; New Electronic Dance Music Category Created; Winners Determined by Online Voting at amavote.com

Recording artist Christina Aguilera revealed the "The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards(R)" ("AMAs") nominations this morning from the J.W. Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE (see full list of nominees below). It was also announced that Christina Aguilera will be performing on this year's show which will be broadcast live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are now on sale (please visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 1-877-234-8425.).

For the fourth consecutive year, the live online pre-show "Coca-Cola Red Carpet LIVE! @ The 2012 AMAs" will stream live for fans worldwide starting at 5:00 p.m., ET / 2:00 p.m., PT and will be hosted by Lance Bass, Kimberly Cole, Brad Goreski and Tristan Wilds, among other hosts to be announced -- including a NOKIA correspondent. Viewers will be able to watch the live show on ABC.com, AMAs365.com, Cokemusic.com, Livestream, Ustream, YouTube and through AP Live Entertainment. Livestream and Ustream-powered video players will be made available to media partners, as well as for the websites and Facebook Pages of participating talent.

Nicki Minaj and Rihanna both lead this year with 4 nominations individually, while Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usher follow with 3 nominations each and Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, fun., Gotye, J.Cole, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Bryan and Pitbull collected 2 nominations. This year's 2012 Artist of the Year nominees are Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5, Katy Perry and Rihanna. This year also marks the creation of the new Electronic Dance Music Category. Nominees include David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex.

For the sixth year, winners will be determined by online voting that starts today. Fans can vote at the Coca-Cola AMA voting website, amavote.com, as well as AMA.abc.com. Artists will be honored in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin, Contemporary Inspirational and -- for the first year ever -- Electronic Dance Music. Fans can go to the official homepage of "The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards," ama.abc.com, to find performer and presenter announcements, artist information and more.

"The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards" are produced by Dick Clark productions, inc. (DCP) Allen Shapiro and Orly Adelson will executive produce the show. Larry Klein will produce. The program will be broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.

Shapiro, Adelson, and Klein jointly stated: "The 40th American Music Awards will once again represent the epitome of pop culture, featuring today's biggest stars and music icons all on one stage."

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