Mariah Carey Leads AMA Nominees

LOS ANGELES – Soul diva Mariah Carey continued her journey along the comeback trail, heading into Tuesday's 33rd annual American Music Awards with a leading four nominations, including two for her chart-topping album "The Emancipation of Mimi."

Rockers Green Day, rapper 50 Cent and "American Idol" alum Kelly Clarkson had three nominations each.

Other multiple nominees included the Black Eyed Peas, Destiny's Child, Eminem, Fantasia, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw and Gretchen Wilson.

Among the acts slated to perform were Carey, the Rolling Stones, Cyndi Lauper, Sarah McLachlan, Lindsay Lohan, Keith Urban, Eurythmics, Santana and Los Lonely Boys.

Carey's album has sold about 6 million copies to date, re-igniting the 35-year-old's career and helping earn her a string of honors at September's Vibe Awards and World Music Awards.

At the American Music Awards, Carey was vying for honors along with a cadre of other hitmakers, including Gwen Stefani and Clarkson in the female pop artist category, and Ciara and Fantasia for favorite female soul/R&B artist.

"The Emancipation of Mimi" was nominated for favorite album in the pop/rock division along with Green Day's "American Idiot" and Clarkson's "Breakaway." Carey's album also was nominated in the soul/R&B category along with pop trio Destiny's Child's swan song, "Destiny Fulfilled," and Fantasia's debut, "Free Yourself."

Green Day was vying for favorite pop/rock band, duo or group against the funky Black Eyed Peas and rockers 3 Doors Down. The "American Idiot" rockers were also up for a favorite artist honor in the Alternative category along with Britain's Coldplay and metal band System of a Down.

Rounding out the pop/rock category, actor-rapper Will Smith, 50 Cent and former matchbox twenty frontman Rob Thomas were contenders for the favorite male artist honor. R. Kelly, John Legend and Omarion were up for the same honor in the soul/R&B division.

In the hip-hop/rap class, Eminem, 50 Cent and Ludacris shared nods for favorite male artist, while Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim and Miami-based rapper Trina were up for favorite female artist.

In the country music division, Keith, McGraw and Kenny Chesney received nods for favorite male artist, while Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes and Wilson vied for the favorite female artist honor.

Other awards were to be presented to artists in the Latin, contemporary inspirational and adult contemporary categories.

Cedric the Entertainer was host of the three-hour ceremony, broadcast live on ABC from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Nominees were chosen on the basis of record sales, with winners selected through a survey of about 20,000 listeners.