FULL LIST: 2012 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS FINALISTS

Adele, LMFAO, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne lead the finalists for the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, which will take place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand and be broadcast live Sunday May 20, 8/7c on ABC.

Adele takes the lead as a finalist in 18 award categories, including Top Artist, Top Female Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist. “Rolling In The Deep,” the lead single from her blockbuster sophomore album “21,” places the U.K. singer as a contender in seven song categories.

Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, More to Perform at the Billboard Music Awards

Meanwhile, LMFAO is a finalist in 17 award categories, although the electro-pop duo actually scored 22 entries compared to Adele’s 20. LMFAO and Adele will square off in the Top Hot 100 Artist category, which also includes Bruno Mars, Katy Perry and Rihanna.

Speaking of Rihanna, the pop superstar is a finalist in 13 categories this year, after leading the pack with 18 category appearances in 2011. Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne each snagged a spot in 10 categories, and will both compete against Adele, Rihanna and Katy Perry for the prestigious Top Artist prize. And the Top New Artist category features a diverse collection of fresh talent, with Bad Meets Evil, Big Sean, Foster The People, Scotty McCreery and Wiz Khalifa serving as the 2012 finalists.

The awards will reflect Billboard’s chart rankings based on key fan interactions with music, including album sales and downloads, track downloads, radio airplay and touring as well as streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, Vevo, Youtube, Spotify and other popular online destinations for music. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Entertainment and Next Big Sound. The awards will be based on the reporting period of March 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012. Top artists will be recognized in a variety of genres, including R&B, Rap, Pop, Country, Rock, Latin and Alternative.
Music fans can also follow news about the show and related events on Twitter at @Billboard or on Facebook.

Tickets for the 2012 Billboard Music Awards are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com and MGMGrand.com. The 2012 Billboard Music Awards will be co-executive produced by Richard D. Beckman, CEO of Prometheus Global Media and Don Mischer Productions.

See the full list of 2012 Billboard Music Awards finalists below:

ARTIST AWARDS:

Top Artist:
Adele
Lady Gaga
Lil Wayne
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top New Artist:
Bad Meets Evil
Big Sean
Foster The People
Scotty McCreery
Wiz Khalifa

Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
Chris Brown
Drake
Lil Wayne
Bruno Mars

Top Female Artist:
Adele
Lady Gaga
Nicki Minaj
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top Duo/Group:
The Black Eyed Peas
Coldplay
Lady Antebellum
LMFAO
Maroon 5

Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Adele
Justin Bieber
Michael Buble
Lady Gaga
Lil Wayne

Top Hot 100 Artist:
Adele
LMFAO
Bruno Mars
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top Digital Songs Artist:
Adele
LMFAO
Bruno Mars
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top Radio Songs Artist:
Adele
Katy Perry
Bruno Mars
Nicki Minaj
Rihanna

Top Touring Artist:
Bon Jovi
Taylor Swift
Take That
U2
Roger Waters

Top Social Artist:
Justin Bieber
Eminem
Lady Gaga
Rihanna
Shakira

Top Streaming Artist:
Lil Wayne
LMFAO
Nicki Minaj
Bruno Mars
Rihanna

Top Digital Media Artist:
Adele
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Lil Wayne
Rihanna

Top Pop Artist:
Adele
Lady Gaga
LMFAO
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top R&B Artist:
Beyonce
Chris Brown
Cee Lo Green
Miguel
Rihanna

Top Rap Artist:
Drake
Lil Wayne
LMFAO
Nicki Minaj
Wiz Khalifa

Top Country Artist:
Jason Aldean
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

Top Rock Artist:
The Black Keys
Coldplay
Foster The People
Foo Fighters
Mumford & Sons

Top Alternative Artist:
The Black Keys
Coldplay
Foster The People
Foo Fighters
Mumford & Sons

Top Latin Artist:
Mana
Pitbull
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos
Shakira

Top Dance Artist:
David Guetta
Lady Gaga
LMFAO
Rihanna
Britney Spears

Top Christian Artist:
Casting Crowns
MercyMe
Skillet
Laura Story
Chris Tomlin

Taylor Swift wins big at American Music Awards 2011

The American Music Awards is not as prestigious as the Grammy Awards, and it lacks the edginess of the MTV Video Music Awards, but it is a big awards show nonetheless.

This year’s ceremony was broadcast from Los Angeles on Sunday night. Performers included an out-of-breath Jennifer Lopez, a matured Justin Bieber and an over-the-top Nicki Minaj.

Taylor Swift was the night’s big winner. On the heels of her recent win for the coveted Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year, Swift won for Country Female Artist; Country Album (Speak Easy), and Artist of the Year

Other winner included British artist Adele, who is recovering from vocal cord surgery. Nominated for four awards, the singer/songer went home with three: Adult Contemporary Artist, Pop/Rock Female Artist and Pop/Rock album for “21.” The Foo Fighters won for Alternative Rock Artist; Blake Shelton won Country Male Artist; Lady Antebellum won for Country Band, Duo or Group; and Jennifer Lopez received the award for Latin Music Artist.

Bruno Mars won for Pop/Rock male Artist. Maroon 5 took home the award for Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group. And Nicki Minaj won both Rap/Hip-Hop artist and Rap/Hip-Hop album for “Pink Friday.”

Beyonce was named Soul/R&B Female Artist and Usher took the male category. Rihanna won the Soul/R&B Album for “Loud,” and Hot Chelle Rae was named New Artist of the Year.

Taylor Swift dating older man?

Taylor Swift is reportedly dating an older man.

The 21-year-old country singer is spending time with Jason Mraz who is 13 years her senior, according to Life & Style.

Jason joined Taylor onstage for a duet of his song I’m Yours during the Los Angeles leg of her Speak Now tour.

‘He asked her out on a date and she said yes,’ an insider told the magazine. ‘Jason and Taylor have been talking and he’s taking her out on a real date.’

Taylor seems to have a liking for older men after dating a few in the past.

She reportedly had a short-lived relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal, 30, but he is said to have ended it because things were going too fast.

Taylor also dated bad boy John Mayer, 33, but their romance also did not last long.

‘Taylor was head over heels for John [Mayer],’ an insider revealed when the couple dated. ‘She thought he was in love with her but he just wanted to have fun.’