For the first time in its 35-year history, the American Music Awards let fans vote online to pick the winners, much like the hit-making colossus that is American Idol.

Not surprisingly, two of the most popular Idol alums owned the night. Daughtry and Carrie Underwood took home three awards apiece.

Daughtry, the band fronted by 2006 Idol finalist Chris Daughtry, won in all three categories in which it was nominated, including top pop-rock album for its self-titled debut, as well as breakthrough artist and adult contemporary artist honors.

"I want to make sure we thank the fans again because you guys made this all possible for us," Daughtry said.

Underwood continued her run of good fortune. In the wake of her three wins at the Country Music Association Awards this month, she claimed AMAs for female country artist, country album for Some Hearts, and the T-Mobile text-in award.

Justin Timberlake nabbed two awards, one each for male pop-rock artist and top soul/R&B album category for FutureSex/LoveSounds, via video from Australia. Akon claimed favorite male soul/rhythm & blues artist, and Rihanna won favorite female soul/R&B artist.

Despite being at his Atlanta area home on house arrest for federal weapons charges, T.I. dominated the hip-hop/rap categories, winning male artist and top album T.I. vs. T.I.P. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony was favorite hip-hop group.

The night featured performances by Mary J. Blige, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Rascal Flatts, and teen stars the Jonas Brothers. The most notable performance paired Beyoncé, who won the international artist award, with country duo Sugarland on a countrified version of Beyonce's hit "Irreplaceable."

The show was hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Nominees for the American Music Awards were selected based on national sales and radio play. For the first time in show history, winners were chosen by public votes cast online, with producers claiming that about 1.2 million people voted online.

2008 American Music Award winners:

Pop-rock:

Male artist: Justin Timberlake

Female artist: Fergie

Band, duo or group: Nickelback

Album: Daughtry, Daughtry

Soul-R&B:

Male artist: Akon

Female artist: Rihanna

Album: FutureSex/LoveSounds, Justin Timberlake

Rap/hip-hop:

Male artist: T.I.

Band, duo or group: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

Album: T.I. vs. T.I.P., T.I.

Country:

Male artist: Tim McGraw

Female artist: Carrie Underwood

Band, duo or group: Rascal Flatts

Album: Some Hearts, Carrie Underwood

Breakthrough artist: Daughtry

Adult contemporary: Daughtry

Alternative rock: Linkin Park

Latin: Jennifer Lopez

Contemporary inspirational: Casting Crowns

Soundtracks: High School Musical 2

International Artist Award: Beyoncé

T-Mobile Text-In Award: Carrie Underwood