TGIF Feature: Bruno Mars up for 8 awards at AMA's

Bruno Mars is up for eight awards at the AMA's this Sunday.

LOOKING for Asian Ameircans at the music industry? Historically, there haven't been many you could point to, and Sunday night, at the American Music Awards, there is only one - Bruno Mars.

Only one, but the Filipino/American artist is up for eight awards, more than any other entertainer: Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, Favorite Male Artist - Pop/Rock, Favorite Album - Pop/Rock, Favorite Male Artist - Soul/R&B, Favorite Album - Soul/R&B, Favorite Song - Soul/R&B and Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary.

Drake, Ed Sheeran, and The Weeknd are close behind him with five nominations each, and Justin Bieber trailing a step further back with four nominations.

It's been a long dry spell for the Hawaii-born singer. The last time Mars won at the AMA's was in 2011 when he was named Best Pop/Rock Male artist.

The AMAs website describes the event as "the world's largest fan-voted awards show." 

"American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected in Billboard Magazine and on Billboard.com, including album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, social activity and touring," says a press release.

The show will air on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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