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Exclusive: Rihanna to receive ‘Icon’ honor at American Music Awards

Rihanna performed at Staples Center, during a stop on her "Diamonds World Tour, in downtown Los Angeles, April 8, 2013.
Rihanna performed at Staples Center, during a stop on her “Diamonds World Tour, in downtown Los Angeles, April 8, 2013.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Rihanna is in the running for four trophies at the 2013 American Music Awards, including artist of the year, but the singer will be given the night’s biggest honor: the Icon Award.

The Barbadian pop diva will be the first artist to score the special merit award, producers for the awards told The Times on Thursday. Rihanna is also scheduled to perform on the telecast.

“The first-ever Icon Award was created to honor an artist whose body of work has made a profound influence over pop music on a global level,” show producer Larry Klein said. “Rihanna’s iconic and innovative sound has enabled her to become one of the most influential and bestselling artists of all time.”

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Rihanna joins a lineup of previously announced performers that includes Luke Bryan, Miley Cyrus, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Imagine Dragons, Kendrick Lamar, Jennifer Lopez, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, One Direction, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, TLC and Pitbull, who will host the telecast.

The American Music Awards will air live from the Nokia Theatre on Nov. 24 at 8 p.m., except on the West Coast where it will be tape-delayed.

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