'This is absolutely incredible': One Direction win Artist Of The Year for second year in a row at American Music Awards in last hurrah before break

By Justin Enriquez For Dailymail.com

Published: 20:55 EST, 22 November 2015 | Updated: 03:38 EST, 23 November 2015

Taylor Swift may have been nominated for the most awards, but the night belonged to One Direction.

Just ahead of their upcoming year-long hiatus, the British boyband took home two awards at the American Music Awards on Sunday, including the biggest prize of the night.

The Drag Me Down hitmakers stood triumphant as they were presented with the Artist Of The Year gong by Oscar-nominated actor Jeremy Renner.

Louis Tomlinson was the first to get on the mic to accept the award as he said: 'Wow, this is absolutely incredible, to win two years in a row. It's a testament to how incredible our fans are so thank you, thank you, thank you.' 

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Big night: One Direction took home the biggest prize, Artist Of The Year, at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night

Third time's the charm: 1D were big winners as they also took home the Best Pop/Rock Duo or group gong for the third time in a row

The group are set to go on a year-long hiatus to spend more time with their families and take a break from the grind in the recording studio and on the road, they even addressed it during their acceptance speech.

Liam Payne added: 'We can't believe we get to win awards like this. And we are obviously going on a little break now - to spend a little time with our families. Obviously we want to thank our families.' 

After their name had been called out, the group showed their solidarity by having a group hug before walking on stage together. 

They had faced stiff competition in the category - including the likes of Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Luke Bryan and Ariana Grande.

Her Anaconda don't want none: Nicki Minaj presented the prize to the band as Niall Horan was the first to grab it and address the crowd

Thankful: Niall thanked the fans as he said: 'We won't be able to do it without our fans'

Dark side: Harry Styles also expressed his gratitude

They're back: Later on in the evening One-D came back to perform Perfect

Man in black: Harry rocked out in an all-black ensemble

In sync: It was a more emotional and slowed down performance than fans are accustomed to

Earlier in the night 1D hit a milestone as they took home the Best Pop/Rock Duo or group gong for the third time since 2013.

They were presented with the prize by Nicki as Niall addressed followers all around the world by saying: 'We won't be able to do it without our fans.'

Taylor's ex Harry also got on the microphone for a short bit to share his gratitude by adding: 'To everyone who worked with us and has supported us for the last five years, thank you all, you are brilliant to work with and we love you all. 

'And to the fans, thank you.'

Fan favourites: The members of One Direction thrilled the crowd with their performance

Top honor: Jeremy Renner presented Louis with the gong for Artist Of The Year

Big winner: One Direction help their awards for Artist Of The Year and Favorite Group backstage

Popular groups: The ladies of Fifth Harmony teamed up with One Direction at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles

Dynamic duo: Gigi Hadid and Kylie Jenner presented the award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album

Having fun: The two pose for a picture backstage after their moment in the spotlight

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Shake It Off singer Taylor was certain to create some more Bad Blood on Sunday night as she came in as the favorite at the American Music Awards.

Though she did not even attend the event, she still walked away with the most awards of the night - clinching three gongs including Song of The Year for her hit Blank Space, Favourite Pop/Rock Album for 1989 and Favourite Adult Contemporary Artist.

The blonde 1989 hit maker was up for six awards total, including Artist Of The Year as well as Favorite Female Artist. 

Think pink: Nicki returned on stage to accept the prize: 'I want to thank you the fans, for allowing me to change and have a different voice'

Taylor, 25, had some stiff competition in the form of her former rival Minaj, who she infamously got into a Twitter spat with ahead of the MTV Video Music Awards earlier this year.

The two patched it up so well that they performed together at the VMAs, leading many to believe that the beef was a publicity stunt from the get-go. 

The Anaconda hitmaker was a big winner at the event as she took home the coveted prize for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist.

Big win: Prince was the first presenter of the night as he handed The Weeknd his first AMA ever

Eyes on the prize: The 25-year-old singer took home the award for Best Soul/ R&B Album for his hit album Beauty Behind The Madness

Thanks J Lo! The artist speaks to show host Jennifer Lopez at the side of the stage

The real him: Later on in the evening The Weeknd performed his hit The Hills using plenty of fire

Earlier in the night, she won her first award in the Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album category for The Pink Print. She also sent an encouraging message to her followers as she said: 'I want to thank you the fans, for allowing me to change and have a different voice.'

Taylor was bested in the coveted Favorite Female Artist Pop/Rock by Ariana Grande in one of the biggest awards of the night.

Sheeran and Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd tied with five apiece, following behind Swift by a slim margin of just one nomination.

Grateful: Ariana Grande was crowned the winner in the coveted Favorite Female Artist Pop/Rock

Aww: The singer became emotional as her grandmother was in attendance

Debut: Earlier in the night Ariana performed her new track, Focus, for the first time

It's all thanks to Nonna! Ariana paid tribute to grandmother Marjorie, who she said voted for her online; also seen is brother Frankie

It was The Weeknd who received the first award of the night as he took home the prize in the Best Soul/ R&B Album for his work on hit album Beauty Behind The Madness.

The 25-year-old singer - real name Abel Tesfaye - wasn't done collecting glass pyramid trophies as he also scored the Favorite Soul/R&B Male gong.

He also had an inspiring performance of his hit track The Hills, with plenty of fire used on stage for effect.

Ed Sheeran was not in attendance but did manage to score the Favorite Male Artist - Pop/Rock prize.

Tremendous trio: Justin Bieber joined Skrillex and Diplo - pictured from right to left - on-stage as they accepted Best Collaboration award

Respectful: Justin gave the two EDM DJs time to speak as he kept his portion of the speech to a minimum

Altogether now: Shortly after accepting the prize, the trio posed proudly together

In tune: Actresses Hailee Steinfeld, Chrissie Fit, Rebel Wilson, and Anna Kendrick hit the stage as their film Pitch Perfect 2 won Top Soundtrack

Triumphant: The 35-year-old actress Rebel proudly lifted the prize to show it off

Proud: Luke Bryan took home the Favorite Country Male Artist Award

Light it up: Fall Out Boy won the Favorite Alternative Rock gong

Jennifer Lopez - whose Las Vegas show launches in January - hosted the show, which aired live from Los Angeles' Microsoft Theater on Sunday.

The 46-year-old actress opened up the show by singing a slowed down version of her 1999 hit Waiting For Tonight before pausing and insisting the night is not about her, but the music.

She proceeds to do a high-energy dance number in a clinging patterned leotard and she and her dancers moved and grooved to the sounds of Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber.

Va va voom: Jennifer Lopez was the host of the event as she opened up the night with an energetic dance performance

Booty-ful: The 46-year-old singer showed off her famous derriere in clinging patterned ensemble for the performance

Flying (Han) Solo: Harrison Ford was a surprise presenter as he introduced a performance of Star Wars songs

The force is strong: The Pentatonix put on an impressive performance of a capella versions of classic songs from the sci-fi franchise

Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth excited the crowd when they shared a passionate kiss at the end of their duet on his hit Marvin Gaye.

Trainor began the performance on her own in a raincoat in front of a raining backdrop for a rendition of her single Like I'm Going To Lose You before a curtain was pulled back to reveal Puth on the piano. 

Selena Gomez, Carrie Underwood and 5 Seconds of Summer also performed at the show. But the most talked about performance was certainly Gwen Stefani.

Think pink: Jared Leto shared a story about playing at the venue, the Bataclan in Paris, just months before the terrorist attacks as he introduced an emotional musical performance

Touching: Celine Dion paid tribute to victims of last week's terrorist attacks in Paris

Powerful: The 47-year-old Canadian singer performed a cover of Edith Piaf song La Vie En Rose

The No Doubt frontwoman recently split from her husband Gavin Rossdale, amid reports the rocker had cheated on her with their nanny. The revelations came after Gwen, 46, confirmed her romance with fellow The Voice host Blake Shelton, 39.

However, it has been a rough time for the blonde singer after she called it a day with the Bush frontman after he allegedly cheated on her with their nanny Mindy Mann.

Last week, it was reported that Rossdale had been involved in a three-year relationship with the blonde Australian. 

Emotional: Surely one of the more talked about performances came from Gwen Stefani who debuted the track Used To Love You, a song many believed was about her split from long-time husband Gavin Rossdale

Sheer daring: The No Doubt frontwoman wore a see through long black dress for the emotional performance

Back in black: Selena Gomez looked lovely as she performed her hit Same Old Love

Wow factor: She wore a revealing outfit consisting of a clinging black number with a shimmering detailing over a solid black bra and high-waisted shorts

Getting carried away: Selena had to keep her balance as one of her dancers carried her up for a risky move

According to Us Weekly, Gwen was forced to confront the British star when she discovered explicit pictures and texts on their children's iPad, which was linked to his phone.

‘The iPad was linked to Gavin’s phone,’ a family source told the publication.

‘One of the other nannies discovered the exchange and told Gwen.’

The admission reportedly ‘completely devastated her,’ an insider revealed. ‘She was mortified, livid, and embarrassed.’

On Sunday night Gwen performed Used To Love You, a song many believed was about her split from Gavin. Rumors heated up after a video was released of the blonde crying while singing the song in a dark room.  

Racy and lacy: Demi Lovato also donned plenty of black as she performed her hit Confident

Wow factor: She put on a very inspired performance as she showed off her legs in clinging tiny shorts, fishnet stockings and black suede thigh-high boots 

Spanning generations: Demi later joined Alanis Morissette as they commemorated the 20th anniversary of You Oughta Know with a duet

Meanwhile, another music superstar who has made headlines with his split from a fellow celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow also took the stage on Sunday night.

Chris Martin and his band Coldplay performed the first single Adventure Of A Lifetime off their new album A Head Full Of Dreams, set for release on December 4. 

Actor Jared Leto moved the crowd to tears when he paid tribute to the people of Paris and victims of violence around the world.

He recalled an impromptu show his band had performed at the Bataclan in Paris, the scene of one of the terrorist attacks ten days ago as he said: 'Seven months later that same venue was under siege, one of a series of attacks that changed the world forever.'

He added: 'Tonight we honour the victims of the unimaginable violence that took place in Paris and around the world.' 

The 43-year-old Oscar-winner was there to introduce Celine Dion for a powerful performance of Edith Piaf's La Vie En Rose.

Justin Bieber closed out the show with an emotional medley of his new songs including What Do You Mean, Where Are U Now and Sorry. 

The performance hit it's peak right before the third and final song as artificial rain came down and soaked the 21-year-old singer and his background dancers.

Hunk: Nick Jonas performed a medley of his hits including Chains, Levels and Jealous

Jack of all trades: The Jonas Brothers member showed his many talents as he sang, played piano and even played the drums

Sealed with a kiss: Meghan Trainor and Charlie Puth shocked fans as they finished off their performance with a kiss

She's at it again! The All About That Bass singer also embraced Who Is Fancy, along with Ariana 

He's still got it: Chris Martin joined his band Coldplay for a rather funky performance

They're back! They performed their first single Adventure Of A Lifetime off their new album A Head Full Of Dreams

Monkeying around: Chris seemed to have fun as he was joined on stage by a few people in primate costumes

Grand finale: Justin Bieber finished the night with a medley of his new songs including an acoustic version of hit What Do You Mean

Pouring: Right before his last song, Sorry, artificial rain began coming down on he and his dancers

Splashing around: The singer appeared to be having fun during the inventive performance

Way to close it out! Justin ended up being soaked by the end of the performance

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