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"Idol" worship at American Music Awards
11/19/2007 12:45 AM, Reuters
Dean Goodman
The American Music Awards resembled
a greatest-hits version of "American Idol" on Sunday, as two
former contestants of the hit talent show, Chris Daughtry and
Carrie Underwood, each won three prizes.
Daughtry's eponymous rock band and country singer Underwood
overshadowed the likes of superstars Justin Timberlake and
Beyonce, possibly with some help from new voting rules.
In a move that mimicked the fan-based element of "American
Idol," the producers of the ratings-challenged awards show
allowed fans to vote online. Winners were traditionally
determined by an opinion poll of 20,000 music buyers.
Producers said about 1.2 million people voted online at a
Web site established by the show's U.S. broadcaster, ABC. By
contrast, 74 million votes were cast by telephone for the grand
finale of "American Idol" on Fox in May.
Daughtry, a finalist on the fifth season of "American Idol"
in 2006, won for favorite breakthrough artist, favorite adult
contemporary artist, and favorite pop/rock album for their
chart-topping self-titled release.
While he thanked the English creator of the "Idol" format,
Simon Fuller, Daughtry noted that he was an artist before he
entered the show.
"The show didn't make me who I am. It just gave me an
opportunity to show everybody else who I was," he told
reporters backstage.
"HECK OF A NIGHT"
Underwood's American Music Award honors were for favorite
female artist and favorite album, both in the country category.
She also won a special award determined by text messages.
She received the album award for her debut release "Some
Hearts."
"This is one heck of a night," Underwood said.
She won the fourth season of "American Idol" and went to
No. 1 last month with her second album, "Carnival Ride."
Earlier this year, she won two Grammys, including the coveted
best new artist award.
Also receiving three nominations each were pop star Justin
Timberlake, R&B singer Beyonce and rock band Linkin Park.
Timberlake won for favorite male artist in the pop/rock
category, and favorite soul/R&B album for
"FutureSex/LoveSounds." He sent in an acceptance speech from
Australia, where he is on tour.
Beyonce was snubbed in the competitive races but was given
a special "International Artist Award of Excellence" prize.
Los Angeles rockers Linkin Park, who did not show up at the
event, were named favorite alternative rock artist.
Another multiple winner was rapper T.I., who won for
favorite male artist and favorite album in the rap/hip-hop
category. He is confined to his Atlanta home, awaiting trial on
federal weapons charges.
Rascal Flatts was named favorite band, duo or group in the
country category. Tim McGraw, another no-show, was named
favorite male artist in that category.
Winners were announced during a ceremony held at the new
Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. For the fourth year, Jimmy Kimmel
hosted the show.
Reuters
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