Rihanna receives icon awards at AMA's

Rihanna was honoured with the first-ever icon award at the American Music Awards on Sunday (24.11.13)

Rihanna was honoured with the first-ever icon award at the American Music Awards on Sunday (24.11.13)

The 'Pour It Up' singer was touchingly presented with the prestigious award by her mother Monica Braithwaite, who expressed how ''proud'' she was of her daughter after shedding light on the popstar's rise to fame.

Rihanna held her mother's hand through-out the emotional speech, which praised the star for remaining humble and hardworking.

Monica said: ''Rihanna, I am so proud of you tonight. I know the journey in your career has not always been an easy one, but tonight I applaud you and admire you for being so strong and so positive and so humble and so focused.''

''It's amazing how you always manage to take good from all your experiences. I am so blessed to be a part of this historic moment,''

The 25-year-old beauty also paid tribute to her mother for supporting her throughout her career despite her initial reservations about her passion to pursue singing.

Rihanna recalled: ''About 20 years ago is when I first started making your life a living hell with my annoying like husky 'man voice,' you would call it,''

''I literally begged and pleaded and she finally said yes, and I thank you and we all thank you for that yes because that was the beginning of it all.''

Meanwhile, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis led this year's nominees with six nods. Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake followed with five nominations each, while Rihanna and Robin Thicke both received collected four nominations.

Winners on the night were:

Artist of the Year

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Single of the Year

WINNER: Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly - 'Cruise'

Icon Award

WINNER: Rihanna

New Artist of the Year

WINNER: Ariana Grande

Favourite Male Artist -- Pop/Rock

WINNER: Justin Timberlake

Favourite Band, Duo or Group -- Pop/Rock

WINNER: One Direction

Favourite Album -- Pop/Rock

WINNER: One Direction - Take Me Home

Favourite Male Artist -- Country

WINNER: Luke Bryan

Favourite Female Artist -- Country

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Favourite Album -- Country

WINNER: Taylor Swift -- Red

Favourite Album -- Rap/Hip-Hop

WINNER: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - The Heist

Favourite Male Artist -- Soul/R&B

WINNER: Justin Timberlake

Favourite Female Artist -- Soul/R&B

WINNER: Rihanna

Favourite Album -- Soul/R&B

WINNER: Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience

Favourite Artist -- Alternative Rock

WINNER: Imagine Dragons

Favourite Artist -- Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

WINNER: Avicii

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