Adele, Lady Gaga eye American Music Awards gongs
British soul diva Adele hopes to add to her growing collection of prizes at the American Music Awards this weekend, even if she has had to be bow out because of throat problems.
The 23-year-old has four nominations, followed closely Lady Gaga and Katy Perry among others with three nods for the annual star-studded awards, to be presented at Los Angeles Nokia Theatre on Sunday evening.
Canadian teen sensation Justin Bieber - last years big winner as artist of the year - will have to pin his prize hopes on his single nomination for best male rock or pop artist.
The 17-year-old, who recently faced down a paternity suit, will join artists including Perry, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez and will.i.am at the star-studded event at Los Angeles Nokia Theater.
Lopezs ex Marc Anthony - the couple split in July after seven years together - as well as Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Drake and Enrique Iglesias are also on the roster for the evening.
One no-show is expected to be Grammy-winning Adele, who announced at the end of October that she has been forced to cancel her live dates for the rest of the year to undergo surgery on her throat.
She is nominated for artist of the year, favorite female artist, favorite album and favorite adult contemporary artist. For the coveted top prize, she will be competing with Lil Wayne, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.
Second place in terms of nominations - announced in Los Angeles on October 11 - was shared by Swift, Gaga, Lil Wayne, Perry, Rihanna and the Band Perry, with three apiece.
Pitbull and Nicki Minaj earned two nods, as did Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, LMFAO, Kanye West and Jason Aldean.