The 2006 American Music Awards kick off last night {Tuesday}. Host Jimmy Kimmel was the MC of the event. Here are the stars that were there...
red carpet
Raven Symone

Cheetah girls

Brian McKnight

Gwen Stefani with her husband Gavin Rossdale

Chamillionaire

Grey's Anatomy star Isiah Washington with his wife

Beyonce on the red carpet



performing

Jay-Z performs Show Me What You Got


Beyonce performs "Irreplaceable"


Rap artists Snoop Dogg (L) and Akon performs "I Wanna Love Ya Girl"


Gwen Stefani performs her new single 'Wind It Up'


Akon performs "Smack That"


Mary J. Blige performs


The Pussycat Dolls performs their song 'Buttons'



Jamie Foxx performs 'Wish U Were Here'


Lionel Richie performs 'I Call It Love'

Nelly Furtado performs "Say It Right"

on stage
Jamie Foxx accepts the award for favorite soul /rhythm & blues male artist.

Mariah Carey in New York, February 21, 2006. The pop diva, whose commercial success has not translated into awards show acclaim, was snubbed at the American Music Awards on Tuesday, despite scoring three nominations.

Paris Hilton presents an award

Weird Al, left, and Chamillionaire present {Weird Al did the remix to Ridin dirty called White & Nerdy}

Britney Spears presents the first award of the night---to Mary J Blige


Clay Aiken and Tori Spelling spoof the Kelly Ripa hand drama...


backstage

Nicole Richie poses backstage

Singer JoJo poses backstage

Presenters Christian Slater (L) and Sharon Stone pose backstage

Rap artist and actor Tyrese Gibson/Black Ty poses backstage

Rap artist Snoop Dogg poses backstage

Musician Flavor Flav poses backstage


Winners at the American Music Awards:
Mary J. Blige poses with her awards for soul/rhythm & blues favorite album 'The Breakthrough' and favorite female artist

Sean Paul accepts the award for favorite pop/rock

Kirk Franklin holds the award for favorite contemporary inspirational artist


• Pop-Rock:
Male artist: Sean Paul
Female artist:
Kelly Clarkson Band, duo or group: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Album: "All the Right Reasons," Nickelback
• Soul-R&B:
Male artist:
Jamie Foxx
Female artist:
Mary J. Blige
Band, duo or group: The Black Eyed Peas
Album: "The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige
• Country:
Male artist:
Toby KeithFemale artist:
Faith Hill Band, duo or group: Rascal Flatts
Album: "Greatest Hits Volume 2,"
Tim McGraw
• Rap/Hip-Hop:
Male artist: Eminem
Band, duo or group: The Black Eyed Peas
Album: "Monkey Business," The Black Eyes Peas
• Adult Contemporary:
Artist: Kelly Clarkson
• Latin Music:
Artist: Shakira
• Alternative Music:
Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Contemporary Inspirational: Kirk Franklin
Artist:
• Breakthrough:
New artist: Carrie Underwood
_T-Mobile Text-In Award (voted by public):
Rascal Flatts

{Yahoo! News}