Entertainment

Rihanna receives AMA Icon Award from her mother

By Lauren Moraski

November 25, 2013 / 12:18 AM EST / CBSNews.com

The American Music Awards gave out its first-ever Icon Award to Rihanna Sunday night in Los Angeles.

After an introduction by Bill Maher – who said Rihanna has become “the voice of our time,” the R&B/pop star took the stage to perform her hit “Diamonds.”

American Music Awards 2013: Show highlights 41 photos

Then the singer’s mother, Monica Fenty, presented her with the honor at the Nokia Theatre. She gushed about her daughter’s talent and success, saying, "I know the journey in your career has not always been an easy one." She added, "Tonight I applaud and admire for being so strong and so positive and so humble and so focused. It's amazing how you I'm so blessed to be part of this historic moment."

"Just about 20 years ago is when I really started making your life a living hell with my annoying little husky man voice, you would call it," Rihanna said. "And I mean just disrupting the entire neighborhood. Westbury Road, Barbados, they could tell you that's the truth. I annoyed every one of my neighbors."

The applause continued when Justin Timberlake accepted his award. "Can we talk about how cute Rihanna's mom is?" he said before trying out a Caribbean accent. "She's so proud of the Icon. I am too, Rihanna, I love you."

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