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Jet, Feb 3, 2003

Newcomer Ashanti was one of the big winners at the recent 30th Annual American Music Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Ashanti won in the categories of Favorite New R&B Artist and Favorite New Pop Artist. She had been nominated for five awards. Other Black winners were Mary J. Blige who was named Favorite Female Hip Hop Artist and Outkast which won the top honor as Favorite Hip Hop Group. Nelly won the Fan's Choice Award as the Internet Artist of the Year.

Eminem was the top winner, garnering nods in four categories.

Backstage, Ashanti told reporters that she is preparing to do a remake of the 1970s movie Sparkle and take on the role created by Irene Cara.

Because the Osbourne family hosted the show from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, there was a lot of bleeping out of words--the family is known for constant use of four-letter words.

Among those performing on the show were Mariah Carey, a very slim Missy Elliott and Ja Rule with Bobby Brown.