The 19-year-old twanger pocketed a leading five prizes, including the biggest, Artist of the Year, at Sunday's American Music Awards, while Michael Jackson made some history from beyond the grave.

The late King of Pop won four posthumous awards—including Favorite Pop/Rock Artist and Pop/Rock Album for his 2003 greatest hits set, Number Ones—bringing his AMA career total to 25.

In a night win neither of the top winners were present (Jackson for obvious reasons; Swift was in London rehearsing for a show at Wembley Arena), the Los Angeles cemerony was marked by a couple of outrageous performances  and welcome comebacks by Rihanna and Whitney Houston. But in the end, the ghost of Jackson was the night's most compelling presence.

"We love you, Michael," said a sequined-glove-sporting Jermaine Jackson who accepted the honor on his brother's behalf. "It's not just about the winnings, the awards, it's mainly the message. The message that Michael had will live on forever...and he saw good in everyone and he wanted them to do good.  To start with love and let's love each other."

Sister Janet kicked things off with a medley of her hits. Even Swift, who accepted her Artist of the Year award (without interruption) live via satellite, paid tribute to Michael, whom she beat.

"I just want to say that music has never been ultimately about competition and to even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson who we'll miss and love forever is an unumaginable honor," she said. "And I just want to say I'm sending my love to the Jackson family and Janet."

Fellow country star Keith Urban scored Country's Best Male Artist and gave a big shout-out to wife Nicole Kidman—a presenter with her Nine costar Kate Hudson, who was nearly falling out of her platinum dress.

"I just love you so much baby. This is for you and Sunday," said Urban, who also crooned "Kiss A Girl."

And in what was the evening's biggest surprise, Nashville's Gloriana was named T-Mobile's Breakthrough Artist, selected by the viewers.

Of course, what's an AMA show without Music? And there was plenty to be had.

Backed by a gospel choir, a joyful Houston brought down the house down with a performance of her new single, "I Didn't Know My Own Strength."

After a standing-O, Samuel L. Jackson presented the "So Emotional" singer with the International Artist of the Year, an award given out only six times in the history of the AMAs.

Capping a box-office-busting weekend at the box-office, The Twilight Saga even got in on the AMA action, scoring the prize for Favorite Soundtrack for the first film.

Minibiography Of Tylor Swift

Name: Taylor Alison Swift

Birthday: December 13, 1989

Hometown: Wymossing, PA

Country Style: Contemporary Country

Musical Influences: Her grandmother, who was an opera singer, Garth Brooks, LeAnn Rimes, and Tim McGraw.

Taylor's Songwriting: Taylor is the first female solo country artist to have written or co-written all the songs on her Platinum-selling debut. The album has since sold over 3 million copies.
The Myspace Generation: Taylor Swift gained a huge following through her MySpace page early on in her career. She made a point to connect personally with fans every day, and answer questions, and it has grown so much that she's become the No. 1 Country artist on Myspace, and her music has surpassed over 40 million streams. In 2007, when she won CMT's Breakthrough Video award, she thanked her "Myspace fans," and said she would bring the award on the road with her when she went on tour with Brad Paisley, later that year, which she did. She even let fans pose with the award.