Adele loses out to Taylor Swift in artist of the year surprise

THE BRITISH singer Adele won three prizes at the American Music Awards last night but, in a shock upset, lost out to country music singer Taylor Swift for the top prize of artist of the year. Adele had been easily the favourite to win, after her album 21 became this year's best-seller in the US.

As the Los Angeles Times reports, Swift seemed genuinely surprised to be named artist of the year for a second time at the awards, which are chosen by fans voting online. ''This is one of the craziest things that has ever happened to me,'' said the 21-year-old singer, who first won the award in 2009. ''I have no idea what I'm supposed to say. I did not think this was going to happen."

Swift also won two awards in the country music category, that of favourite female artist and album of the year for Speak Now.

Adele was unable to attend the ceremony at the Nokia Theatre because she is recovering from surgery on her vocal chords. The 23-year-old from Brixton won favourite female artist and adult contemporary artist. She also took album of the year in the pop/rock music category for 21, which has sold more than 3.7 million copies in America.

Elsewhere the pink-haired singer Nicki Minaj, who opened the awards event with an explosive performance with David Guetta, won favourite album for her debut Pink Friday in the Rap/Hip Hop category and pipped Kanye West to the favourite artist award.

In soul/R&B category, Beyonce won favourite female artist while Rihanna beat her former boyfriend Chris Brown to win the favourite album with LOUD. Rihanna accepted her award via video link from London, where she was in town to perform on ITV’s The X Factor. ·