One Direction wins artist of the year at AMAs
By MESFIN FEKADU, Associated Press
Nov 23, 2014 9:58 PM CST
Liam Payne, from left, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles of the musical group One Direction arrive at the 42nd annual American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)   (Associated Press)

One Direction has won the American Music Award for artist of the year.

Competition in the category was tough, with Iggy Azalea, Beyoncé, Luke Bryan, Eminem, Imagine Dragons, John Legend, Lorde, Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams up for the honor.

The final prize of the night was the third award the British boy band claimed during Sunday's ceremony. One Direction also claimed trophies for favorite pop/rock duo or group and pop/rock album for "Midnight Melodies."