Bieber, Swift, Minaj and Jepsen win AMAs; Red carpet pictures

(AP) - Justin Bieber thanked his haters after winning the first award at the American Music Awards, while Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift performed their new singles.

The 18-year-old won favourite pop/rock male artist in the first award handed out at Sunday’s American Music Awards and gave a shout-out to those who didn’t think he would last on the music scene.

“I want to say this is for all the haters who that I was just here for one or two years. I feel like I’m going to be here for a very long time,” he said, also thanking his mum, manager, family and his “beautiful, beautiful fans.”

He gave a stripped down, acoustic performance of As Long As You Love Me, sitting down as someone played the guitar. He transitioned to the dance-heavy Beauty And A Beat, where Minaj joined him onstage, grinding with the teen for a few seconds.