In the weeks leading up to the 2010 American Music Awards, the performers for the awards show were announced. Among the notable performances included one by Rihanna, who opened the show, and a collaborative performance between the New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys.http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/performers

The 2010 American Music Awards took place on Sunday, November 21, 2010, starting at 8:00 p.m. EST. Top artists in 20 categories were honored at a live ceremony airing on ABC from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California.http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/about-the-show Prior to the show, a three-hour red carpet event was streamed on the Internet to cover the arrivals of the stars. Danny Gokey, Jennette McCurdy, Lance Bass and Whitney Port hosted the 2010 AMA Coke Red Carpet show streaming on ABC.com and USTREAM.tv.http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/about-the-show

Other performers for the 2010 American Music Awards included Kid Rock, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Carlos Santana with Gavin Rossdale, Dirty and Dirty Money, Ne-Yo, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Christina Aguliera, Bon Jovi, Pink and Usher.http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/performers Additional performers were also announced in the days leading up to the event. American Music Awards producer Larry Klein stated that "the AMAs has always been about the best music of the year, and our lineup truly reflects the talented artists that have made 2010 so special."http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/performers#

Justin Bieber, Ke$ha and Katy Perry were among the nominees for the Arist of the Year award, competing alongside Lady Gaga and Eminem for the top award of the evening. Bieber swept the awards show, including taking home Artist of the Year honors.http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/nominees

• Rihanna performed a medley of songs including "Love the Way You Lie," "What's My Name" and "Only Girl" to open the show.
• Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull performed together, singing "Tonight" and "I Like It."
• Miley Cyrus' performance immediately followed, as she sang "Forgiveness and Love."
• Diddy and the Dirty Money crew, performed "Coming Home."
• Kid Rock sang an acoustic version of his track "Times Like These."
• The Black Eyed Peas performed "The Time (Dirty Bit)”, the first single from their album The Beginning.
• Appearing with a small choir of school children, Katy Perry performed "Firework." Male dancers with actual fireworks also joined.
• Justin Bieber performed "Pray."
• Bon Jovi performed various hits including "What Do You Got," "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "It's My Life."
• Pink sang "Raise You Glass" after a glowing introduction from Kelly Osbourne, who added that the singer is expecting.
• Ne-Yo performed tracks from his new album including "One in a Million" and "Beatutiful Monster."
• Favorite Country Music Female Artist winner Taylor Swift sang "Back to December."
• Christina Aguliera performed "EXPRESS" from her new film Burlesque.
• R&B singer Usher performed "DJ Got Us Falling in Love."
• Train sang "Marry Me" and their hit "Hey, Soul Sister."
• Pop artist Ke$ha sang "Take It Off."
• Gavin Rossdale and Carlos Santana performed the T. Rex song "Bang a Gong (Get It On)."
• The New Kids on the Block performed with the Backstreet Boys in a duet that mashed together hits from both bands.http://idolator.com/5696122/2010-american-music-awards-the-liveblog