Male artists win big but female singers dominate American Music Awards stage

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – (L-R) Rob Bourdon, Mike Shinoda, and Brad Delson of music group Linkin Park accept the Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock award. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pink, Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera led female artists of pop music dominating the American Music Awards stage on Sunday with powerful performances, despite being edged out by male artists in most award categories this year.

Bruno Mars won Artist of the Year, former One Direction member Niall Horan won New Artist of the Year and Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, Justin Bieber and Daddy Yankee won Collaboration of the Year for the catchy "Despacito."

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Niall Horan accepts the award for New Artist of the Year. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

The women of pop delivered the night's biggest moments.

Pink and Kelly Clarkson sang REM's "Everybody Hurts," dedicated to first responders and victims of the recent hurricanes and wildfires that have ravaged parts of the United States.

Pink later performed aerial acrobatics from a high-rise building while singing "Beautiful Trauma."

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Actor Jared Leto presents the award for Artist of the Year to Bruno Mars. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Lady Gaga performed "The Cure" from the Washington D.C. stop of her tour, playing on a Perspex piano and then dancing as sparks rained down on stage. She won favorite female pop/rock artist.

"Just remember that if you feel different or not understood, don't you dare give up on who you are, fight like hell for what you believe in," Lady Gaga said.

Motown superstar Diana Ross received this year's lifetime achievement award with video tributes from Barack and Michelle Obama and Taylor Swift. Ross performed a medley of her hits including "I'm Coming Out," "Take Me Higher" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Imagine Dragons accepts the award for Favorite Duo or Group - Pop/Rock. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

"I feel so humbled by this," Ross said, surrounded by her family on stage.

The fan-voted American Music Awards show, televised on ABC, features performances from pop music's biggest names.

Actress Viola Davis paid tribute to the late Whitney Houston and the 25th anniversary of Houston's film "The Bodyguard," as Christina Aguilera belted a medley of hits from the film. Houston died in 2012 aged 48 after drowning in a hotel bathtub.

2017 American Music Awards – Photo Room – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Singer Diana Ross poses with her Lifetime Achievement award. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

Demi Lovato, who was accompanied by newly-elected Virginia legislator Danica Roem, the first openly transgender person to win a state legislative seat, performed her latest hit "Sorry/Not Sorry."

Selena Gomez sang "Wolves" with DJ Marshmello, Alessia Cara and DJ Zedd performed a stripped down version of their dance track "Stay" and Hailee Steinfeld joined DJ Alesso, country duo Florida Georgia Line and musician Watt for "Let Me Go."

Korean boy band BTS garnered some of the loudest screams from the audience as they performed "DNA" on a neon-lit stage.

2017 American Music Awards - Photo Room - Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 Diana Ross and Berry Gordy. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

Linkin Park was named best alternative rock artist, a bittersweet win for the band after the July suicide of frontman Chester Bennington.

The band dedicated the win to Bennington and "his memory, his talent, his sense of humor, to his joy."

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Singer Diana Ross performs. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Michael Perry)

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Singer Diana Ross (L) is accompanied by her family members as she receives the Lifetime Achievement Award. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Singer Diana Ross performs. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Singer Diana Ross (C, waving) is accompanied by her family members as she receives the Lifetime Achievement Award. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Singer Diana Ross performs. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Singer Diana Ross performs. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Evan Ross presents the Lifetime Achievment Award to singer Diana Ross. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Singers Pink (L) and Kelly Clarkson perform. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Singer Pink performs. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Kelly Clarkson performs "Love So Soft". REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Actress Viola Davis walks on stage to speak. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Actress Viola Davis speaks on stage. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Demi Lovato performs "Sorry Not Sorry." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Arrivals – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Danica Roem (L) and Demi Lovato. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Selena Gomez performs "Wolves". REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Selena Gomez performs "Wolves". REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Alessia Cara and Zedd perform "Stay." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Alessia Cara and Zedd (not pictured) perform "Stay." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – BTS performs "DNA." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – BTS performs "DNA." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Nick Cannon presents the award for New Artist of the Year to Niall Horan. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – (L-R) Actors Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, and Gaten Matarazzo speak on stage. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Nick Jonas performs "Find You". REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Skylar Grey performs "Glorious." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – The cast of Riverdale present an award. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Shawn Mendes performs "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – DJ Khaled accepts the award for Favorite Song - Rap/Hip-Hop for "I'm the One." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Niall Horan performs "Slow Hands." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2017 American Music Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 19/11/2017 – Demi Lovato performs "Sorry Not Sorry." REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni