Nicki Minaj catching up with Bruno Mars and soul legend Chaka Khan. Katy Perry blowing bubblegum with her fellow pink-haired diva. Selena Gomez cuddling up to Justin Bieber and John Legend getting cozy with girlfriend Christine Teigen. 50 Cent posing backstage before making a quit exit after introducing Chris Brown. Motown Records founder Berry Gordy beaming while hugging his son RedFoo of LMFAO. These were just some of the candid moments that you didn’t see on television at the 2011 American Music Awards.

Check out the gallery of 24 backstage and audience photos, with appearances from Jennifer Lopez, Robin Thicke, Ludacris, Mary J. Blige, will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, and more.

Will.i.am teamed with Jennifer Lopez and a digital Mick Jagger to debut his new single “T.H.E (The Hardest Ever)” at Sunday’s AMAs. The Black Eyed Peas frontman appeared in silhouette for most of the song, with performance group Fighting Gravity showing off their gravity-defying stunts with black lights. J.Lo was glowing while the Rolling Stones rocker delivered his part via a pre-taped video. No need to go home.

[MWP]

Taylor Swift was crowned Artist of the Year and an emotional Nicki Minaj went home with two awards at the 2011 American Music Awards on Sunday night at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

Nicki Minaj and David Guetta kicked off the 39th annual show, which also featured performances from Drake, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Mary J. Blige, Pitbull, Ludacris, LMFAO, and more. 50 Cent, Jennifer Hudson, Bruno Mars, Sean Kingston, John Legend, and Lionel Richie were among the presenters.

Of the winners, Rihanna took home Favorite Soul/R&B Album for last year’s LOUD, edging out Chris Brown’s F.A.M.E. and Beyoncé’s 4. Though she couldn’t be in attendance, the Bajan songstress checked in with a pre-recorded segment. “Thank you so much. This means a lot for me to win this award,” she said. “I love you guys. Thanks to all my fans who showed me all this support.”

Taylor Swift presented Nicki Minaj with Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for her debut Pink Friday, which beat out Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne and Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV. Dressed in a flowing green ensemble, the Harajuku Barbie struggled while walking to the podium and was visibly shaken upon accepting the honor.

“This one could actually make me cry. I can’t believe this is happening,” said a tearful Nicki. “Again, I have to thank God and I have to thank Lil Wayne because without him, I would not be here.”

The Young Money raptress also trumped Kanye and her Young Money boss for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist. “There’s so much love in this room. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this love. I didn’t think I would win it,” said Nicki, who accepted the award from Hudson and acknowledged her Barbz. “There’s power in your peace—hold your peace.”

Beyoncé was not present to accept her award for Favorite R&B Female Artist, where she was up against Rihanna and Kelly Rowland. “AMAs, thank you very, very much for Favorite R&B Solo Female Artist,” said the mom-to-be, who was busy screening her DVD Live at Roseland in New York. “I’m so excited about this award because it was voted by all of my fans and I have the best fans in the world. You’re actually the only people I want to thank.”

Adele was also not in attendance, as she is recovering from her recent throat surgery. The British songbird swept in the Pop/Rock Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Album categories as well as Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist, tying Swift for three awards.

Bruno Mars, who introduced Maroon 5’s performance with Christina Aguilera and Gym Class Heroes, beat out Biebs and Pitbull for Favorite Pop/Rock Male. “I want to thank the fans for voting, it means everything to me,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez, who performed with both will.i.am and Pitbull, accepted the award for Favorite Latin Music Artist over Mr. 305 and Enrique Iglesias. “I didn’t expect to win,” said the diva. “I want to thank God because it’s been a really amazing year in so many ways. It’s been up and down and just exciting and overwhelming and so many things and I’m just grateful for my blessings. I want to thank my family most of all, my beautiful babies who inspire me every single day to be a better person and be better at what I do.”

2011 American Music Awards Winners

POP or ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist – Bruno Mars
Favorite Female Artist – Adele
Favorite Band, Duo or Group – Maroon 5
Favorite Album – Adele – 21

COUNTRY MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist – Blake Shelton
Favorite Female Artist – Taylor Swift
Favorite Band, Duo or Group – Lady Antebellum
Favorite Album – Taylor Swift – Speak Now

RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC
Favorite Artist – Nicki Minaj
Favorite Album – Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist – Usher
Favorite Female Artist – Beyoncé
Favorite Album – Rihanna – LOUD

ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Artist – Foo Fighters

ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Favorite Artist – Adele

LATIN MUSIC
Favorite Artist – Jennifer Lopez

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favorite Artist – Casting Crowns

SPRINT NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Hot Chelle Rae

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift

Maroon 5 showed off their fancy footwork while performing “Moves Like Jagger” at the AMAs. Following an introduction from Bruno Mars, Adam Levine and the rest of the band dueted with a curvy Christina Aguilera on the chart-topping duet. Levine broke from the group to lend his voice to Gym Class Heroes’ single “Stereo Hearts” as their sounds emanated from the giant boombox onstage.

[MWP]

Drake brought some swagger to the American Music Awards. The Toronto rapper, introduced by John Legend, fronted a live band during “Headlines,” the lead single from his hot-selling album Take Care. Clad in a black hoodie and biker gloves, Drizzy delivered a clean version of the hit as red lights flashed behind him. Some of his famous fans including Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, and Selena Gomez were seen rapping along in the front row.

[MWP]

Mary J. Blige bared her soul during the AMAs, gracing the stage following an introduction from Alanis Morissette. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul looked ravishing in a white pantsuit, belting her Drake-assisted single “Mr. Wrong” without the Young Money rapper. She closed with a tribute to the late Heavy D. “Rest in peace to my dear friend, my loved one, my brother, the lovable and great Heavy D. I miss you so much brother. God bless,” said MJB.

[MWP]

Pitbull, Lil Jon, and Marc Anthony took it to Planet Pit at the American Music Awards. The King of Crunk opened the medley with “Give Me Everything,” tossing it to a black suit-wearing Anthony, who joined Pit for “Rain Over Me.” Looking sharp in a red sports coat, Mr. 305 ran through his verse from the song as rain poured down. Grab an umbrella.

[MWP]

Jennifer Lopez spread her wings and flew during her show-stopping AMA performance. Sporting a leopard print dress, the newly single star put the pedal to the metal with “Papi,” promoting the Fiat 500 that also appears in her music video. She stripped down do a barely-there glitter suit, joined briefly by Pitbull for “On the Floor,” where she held court between men on stilts and shirtless backup dancers. She earned a standing ovation from the crowd and picked up the award for Favorite Latin Artist.

[MWP]

Enrique Iglesias took the American Music Awards to church with his gospel-inspired performance of “I Like How It Feels.” Clad in a leather jacket over a V-neck tee and dirty blue jeans, the Latin heartthrob was backed by the Crenshaw High School Elite Choir before taking it to the club with Ludacris on their sexy collaboration “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You).”

[MWP]

Hip-hop, R&B, pop, country, and rock came together at Sunday’s American Music Awards. Before the big show, some of the stars walked the red carpet while others opted to make a quick entrance inside the Nokia Theatre. Mary J. Blige unleashed her wild side in an animal-print gown, while a dapper Justin Bieber rolled up in a white vintage Rolls-Royce with his girlfriend Selena Gomez. Now that’s how you make a grand entrance.