LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Mariah Carey continued her career comeback Tuesday, receiving the favorite female artist in the soul/R&B category at Tuesday's 33rd annual American Music Awards -- one of four honors for which she was nominated."Thank you so much for the warmth and the love," said the pop diva, whose chart-topping album "The Emancipation of Mimi" was also nominated for two awards.Carey bested Ciara and Fantasia to collect the first award of the night. However, she lost out later for best female pop artist to Gwen Stefani.Stefani's win came as a shock to the singer, who had just left the stage after performing with rapper Pharrell."What did I win?" she asked as she was presented her first American Music Award. "I guess whatever I won, I just want to say thank you to the fans, especially all my girls. Imagine what it feels like to be me all these years and have your support. It's just outrageous."Taking the award for country female artist was Gretchen Wilson.Sugarland and EminemPop trio Destiny's Child took home the favorite band award in the soul/R&B category."This feels very awkward being up here by myself," said singer Kelly Rowland, who accepted the award on behalf of the group. "I miss my girls, Beyonce and Michelle, wherever you are. I love you so much."In a cross-genre category, country group Sugarland bested alternative rockers The Killers and pop singer Jesse McCartney for the breakthrough new artist award.And in awards presented off-camera, rapper Eminem won the favorite male artist in the rap/hip-hop division where he had been up against 50 Cent and Ludacris.Carey opened the telecast wearing a sequined, silver, spaghetti-strap gown slit to the waist as she performed a rousing rendition of "Don't Forget About Us." Before collecting her award, she performed a quick change into a black evening gown.Green Day, 50 Cent and Clarkson had three nominations each. Other multiple nominees included Wilson, the Black Eyed Peas, Destiny's Child, Eminem, Fantasia, Toby Keith and Tim McGraw.Host Cedric The Entertainer took to the stage wearing a grey pinstripe suit and holding a boombox that he dubbed the first iPod. He noted that new versions of Apple Computer Inc.'s digital music player seemed to be coming out all the time and getting smaller and smaller."I got the new Apple Tic-Tac. It freshens your breath and plays one song," he said.The scene on the red carpet before the show reflected the hodgepodge of musical genres being honored at the AMAs, with hip-hop, pop and country stars making their way through the gantlet of press."It's an American quilt," said Cyndi Lauper, who arrived in a black dress with sheer sleeves and a fringed hem. She performed a soulful version of her 1980's hit "Time After Time" with Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan.Others slated to perform were the Rolling Stones via satellite, Lindsay Lohan, Keith Urban, the Eurythmics, Santana and Los Lonely Boys.Carey's album has sold about 6 million copies to date, re-igniting the 35-year-old's career and helping earn her a string of honors at September's Vibe Awards and World Music Awards."The Emancipation of Mimi" was nominated for favorite album in the pop/rock division along with Green Day's "American Idiot" and Clarkson's "Breakaway." Carey's album also was nominated in the soul/R&B category along with pop trio Destiny's Child's swan song, "Destiny Fulfilled," and Fantasia's debut, "Free Yourself."Green Day was vying for favorite pop/rock band, duo or group against the funky Black Eyed Peas and rockers 3 Doors Down. The "American Idiot" rockers were also up for a favorite artist honor in the Alternative category along with Britain's Coldplay and metal band System of a Down.Other awards were to be presented to artists in the Latin, contemporary inspirational and adult contemporary categories during the three-hour ceremony, broadcast live on ABC from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.Nominees were chosen on the basis of record sales, with winners selected through a survey of about 20,000 listeners.Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.