The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards aired live on ABC on Nov. 18 and the biggest names in music brought out the finest gowns, minis and suits for the event.  

Twenty-nine-year-old Nicki Minaj arrived on the red carpet in a neon yellow, floor-length Monique Lhuillier gown with a bold statement necklace and her hair in a blonde afro. Celebuzz noted, alongside a photo of Minaj from Sunday's event, that "Modern Family" star Julie Bowen wore this exact gown to the 2012 Emmy Awards. Minaj won at the AMAs Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist. She now has a total of four AMA wins. 

For a gallery of photos from the Sunday night's red carpet event, click here.

Taylor Swift, who performed "I Knew You Were Trouble" at the AMAs, wore a nude-toned metallic minidress that had a plunging back. She paired it with strappy gold open-toe sandals, smokey eyes and red nailpolish, perhaps a nod to her new album "Red." The singer won early on in the evening; she took home the award for Favorite Country Female Artist, competing against Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. It was her only nomination and win for the night, though Underwood took home the award for Favorite Country Album. Every album that Underwood has released won the respective award. 

Underwood arrived on the red carpet in a floor-length, cap-sleeve purple, and slightly see-through, gown that has intricate beading and a train. She accompanied it with a gold clutch and her husband, ice hockey player Mike Fisher. 

Carley Rae Jepsen, who took the stage on Sunday night and sang two of her hits songs including "Call Me Maybe," arrived in a low-plunging light pink gown full of crystals. She came with her boyfriend and kissed him on camera before getting on stage to accept her first ever AMA award: New Artist of the Year. 

Other stars who walked the red carpet included Heidi Klum, PSY, Lady Antebellum, Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown, Ke$ha, and Justin Bieber, who came with his mom Patricia. The 18-year-old also brought his mom up on stage with him when he won the award for Artist of the Year. He bet Drake, Maroon 5, Katy Perry and Rihanna and admitted on stage that none of it would be possible if it was not for his mother's support. Bieber also won the night's first award, presented by Ryan Seacrest: Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist. 

Fresh off his breakup with Selena Gomez, Bieber performed an acoustic version of "As Long As You Love Me" followed by his new hit "Beauty and a Beat" with Minaj. He won three awards on Sunday, giving him a total of seven American Music wins throughout his career.

Live stream videos of all the action from the red carpet can be seen here.