One Direction, Katy Perry big winners at AMAs

American girls love British boys: One Direction won artist of the year at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night, taking home three honors and were the night's big winner next to Katy Perry, who didn't attend the show.

One Direction also won favorite band, duo or group in pop/rock and favorite album in pop/rock for Midnight Memories at the fan-voted show.

"This has been a real perfect day . . . America feels like a second home to us," Liam Payne said onstage with his band mates when they won the night's first award.

Perry won three honors as well, including single of the year for her No. 1 hit "Dark Horse," favorite female artist in pop/rock, and favorite artist in adult contemporary.

Though she was absent - she's on tour in Australia - the 2014 AMAs was still jam-packed with star power at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Breakthrough newcomer Iggy Azalea, who was the top nominee with six, won favorite album in rap/hip-hop for The New Classic and favorite artist in rap/hip-hop, taking down rap heavyweights Eminem and Drake.

"This award is the first award I've ever won in my entire life, and it means so much to me that it is for best hip-hop, because that's what inspired me to move to America and pursue my dreams," the 24-year-old Australian rapper said, as her mentor T.I. stood beside her.

Berks County native Taylor Swift kicked off the award show portraying herself as a madwoman and man-eater by feeding a boy a poisonous apple, holding burning roses, and giving crazy eyed looks during a wild performance of "Blank Space," her song about her dating life.

Swift was aggressive in presenting her new No. 1 hit, grabbing her male dancers by their blazers and removing part of her dress to reveal a shimmery, leg-revealing gold number.

Swift later received the first-ever Dick Clark Award for Excellence, presented by Diana Ross.

Sam Smith, who also performed, won favorite male artist - pop/rock.

Australian boy band 5 Seconds of Summer won new artist of the year.

Beyonce, who didn't attend, won favorite female artist in soul/R&B and favorite album in soul/R&B for her self-titled effort.

Luke Bryan took favorite male artist in country, while Carrie Underwood was named favorite female artist in country. Frozen, the year's top-selling album, won top soundtrack.