Taylor Swift has become the most decorated female artist in AMA history and took the opportunity make use of her newly-found political power as she accepted her awards.
The pop star, who earlier broke her political silence to announce her support for the Democrats, used the stage at the glitzy event to call on fans to vote against Donald Trump's Republicans.
It comes after her political message to fans on Instagram, which sparked outrage from the president, reportedly caused a spike in voter registrations.
She scooped tour, album, female and artist of the year at last night’s ceremony, meaning she overtook Whitney Houston for the most wins by a female artist at the AMAs.
The gongs brought her to a career total of 23 AMAs to Houston's 21.
Accepting the artist of the year prize on stage, Swift said: "I just want to say to the fans, you have been so nice to me and fun and funny and so cool and so loyal, and it's not lost on me, I understand how lucky I am."
She added that the awards represented "encouragement and motivation to be better and work harder".
Referring to the fact the awards were "voted for by the people", Swift said: "You know what else is voted on by the people?", before telling fans to "get out and vote" at the midterm elections.
There was a political undercurrent to Tuesday's show at Los Angeles' Microsoft Theatre. Before Swift took to the stage, fans were urged to vote during an impassioned plea by American Horror Story star Billy Eichner.
He told the audience they should register to vote if they cared for "equality for women, for people of colour, for the LGBTQ community, if you believe that climate change is real".
Eichner added: "You can go to vote.org, like Taylor Swift told you to.”
The speech was welcomed by loud applause while host for the evening, American comedian Tracee Ellis Ross, wore a T-shirt bearing the slogan "I am a voter".
It comes after Swift announced her support for two Democrat candidates as she prepares to vote in Tennesse for the midterms.
Swift, who has been criticised in the past for refusing to disclose her political opinions, used Instagram to announce her support for Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper.
The singer, 28, said she had chosen to spoke out now "due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years".
In her Instagram post, Swift said she felt compelled to speak out because she believes in "the fight for LGBTQ rights" and that "any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG".
President Trump hit back by saying he now likes Swift’s music “25 per cent less” as he defended the Republican candidate in Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn.
Lashing out at Swift, he went on: "I am sure Taylor Swift does not know anything about her and let's say that I like Taylor's music 25 per cent less now."
The singer performed "I Did Something Bad" from her 2017 album "reputation," on a set adorned by a huge mechanical cobra and red smoke at the awards on Tuesday night.
Elsewhere, Swift was not the only major celebrity to perform, with both Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez taking to the stage. They were joined by Post Malone, Camila Cabello and British star Dua Lipa.
Other winners on the night included Migos, Shawn Mendes, Cabello and Carrie Underwood.
Migos were acknowledged as the favourite duo in the pop/rock category, Mendes won the adult contemporary artist, Cabello's Havana took pop/rock song and Underwood was recognised as the favourite country music female.
Cardi B won the favourite rap artist gong and thanked her three-month-old daughter, Kulture.
Late rapper, XXXTentacion, who was gunned down in June aged 20, won a posthumous award.
His album 17 was recognised in the soul/R&B category, seeing off competition from Khalid and SZA.
XXXTentacion's mother, Cleopatra, accepted the prize on stage.
Fighting back tears, she said: "I am honoured. On behalf of my son, I would like to thank the AMAs, his fans and everyone who made this possible. Thanks guys, I appreciate it."
There was also a tribute to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who died in August.
