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  • Adele performs on stage at Paradiso in Amsterdam on April 8, 2011

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    Adele performs on stage at Paradiso in Amsterdam on April 8, 2011

FIRST PUBLISHED: November 20, 2011 2:06 PM EST

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Adele is the leading nominee at the American Music Awards, but the British singer won’t be at Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles because she is recovering from recent throat surgery.

The 23-year-old singer is up for four awards: Female artist, adult contemporary artist, artist of the year and favorite album for “21,” the country’s best-selling album this year.

Other top nominees are Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and The Band Perry, who have three bids apiece. Fans chose the winners by voting online.

The 39th annual American Music Awards will be held at the Nokia Theatre and broadcast live on ABC. Nicki Minaj and David Guetta are set to open the performance-packed show.

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