Justin Timberlake has become the first winner at the 2013 American Music Awards by taking home the honour for Favorite Pop/Rock Male.

The SexyBack hitmaker beat Bruno Mars and Robin Thicke to lay claim to the prize, six years after he last earned the title.

The accolade is Timberlake's fourth ever American Music Award, although he is nominated in four other categories in Sunday's ceremony (24Nov13), including Artist of the Year.

Katy Perry kicked off the Los Angeles event by performing her new single Unconditionally dressed as a geisha in a set made to look like a Japanese cherry blossom garden, while One Direction also hit the stage to play their latest release, Story of My Life.

The prizegiving, which is being hosted by Pitbull, is also set to feature performances from Christina Aguilera, Timberlake, Gaga and R. Kelly, and Miley Cyrus.