There was a wide variety of looks on the American Music Awards red carpet, but there was one overriding theme: black and sparkles, be it sequins or jewels.

Selena Gomez wore a little sparkly dress cinched with a belt, while Keri Hilson funked up her short, long-sleeved black dress with lots of sequins. Kelly Clarkson also went with classic black, in a dress with shimmering silver-sequin detailing. Alicia Keys broke all the color rules in her corseted tie-dye dress with sequins.

Demi Lovato looked hip in a blush-colored dress with a jeweled halter neck, and Carrie Underwood went for the blush tone as well in a Grecian-style gown. Leona Lewis went edgy in a leather minidress with a geometric neckline. "American Idol" winner Kris Allen looked dapper in his gray pinstripe suit with black piping, and fellow "Idol" alum Adam Lambert channeled his inner Elvis with his slicked-back hair and sleek suit.

Speaking of "Idol," Paula Abdul looked chic in a simple black strapless mermaid dress. Fergie also wore black, in the form of a shimmering leather gown that looked a lot like the one Shakira wore to the VMAs in September. The guys also embraced the black trend, with Drake and Keith Urban donning nearly identical black suits with black button-downs, with noticeably absent ties. Urban, however, accessorized his look with his glamorous wife, Nicole Kidman, who looked stunning in a taupe tiered Balenciaga gown with a bright pink stripe.

Speaking of pairings, 50 Cent, clad in a gray suit, showed up with Val Kilmer in his most formal cowboy outfit. Shakira bucked the trends in a short, bright yellow dress with a V-style corset. However, perhaps no one made a bigger statement than Rihanna who, despite wearing black and sequins, managed to stand out in her strapless dress with A-line hem and rose cutouts, making another uniquely glam appearance.