Justin Bieber, One Direction, Taylor Swift set for American Music Awards

Though Justin Bieber isn't up for the top award at Sunday's American Music Awards, he still could end up celebrating.

The singer's comeback album, "Purpose," is likely to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart — though it's in a close race with One Direction's "Made In the A.M." Both albums were released Nov. 13, and Billboard will announce the news Sunday.

Bieber is also performing a medley of his hits at the awards show airing from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The show, hosted by Jennifer Lopez, will feature other A-listers, too: Carrie Underwood, Coldplay, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Gwen Stefani and Luke Bryan will perform.

One Direction, who will also hit the stage, is nominated for artist of the year, pitting the group against Grande, Bryan, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift.

Swift has had the most successful year of the bunch, thanks to her top-selling album "1989" and hits like "Bad Blood" and "Black Space." She is the leading AMAs nominee with six.

Her nominations include song and collaboration of the year for "Bad Blood" with Kendrick Lamar, favourite female artist — pop/rock, favourite album — pop/rock for "1989" and favourite artist — adult contemporary.

Behind Swift with five nominations are Sheeran and the Weeknd, who had a breakout year with the No. 1 hits "The Hills" and "Can't Feel My Face." The latter is competing for song of the year against Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud," Swift's "Bad Blood," ''See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth, and Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk!"

The Weeknd will also hit the stage, and the night will take an emotional turn when Celine Dion honours the victims of the recent attacks in Paris when she sings Edith Piaf's "Hymne à L'Amour" in French.

Other performers Sunday include 5 Seconds of Summer, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Walk the Moon, Meghan Trainor and Puth.

Trainor, Sam Smith, Nicki Minaj, Sam Hunt and Walk the Moon are nominated for three awards apiece.

The fan-voted show will air live on ABC tonight, Nov. 22.

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Howard Alexander

Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.