Was Chris Brown Snubbed at the AMAs?

Chris Brown didn’t make it to the American Music Awards in Los Angeles last night. But did the folks behind the show take advantage of his absence to give the one award he was nominated for to Usher instead?

One attendee definitely thinks so, and set off the entire Breezy Nation last night with their backstage Twitter commentary, starting right before the award for Soul/Rhythm & Blues Music – Favorite Male Artist was presented.

For the fourth year in a row, this year’s American Music Awards winners were determined by popular vote. Fans were given the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists in each and every category up until November 12. Even in the “T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Category,” for which voting was open right up to the announcement of the winner, sources at last night’s show say Justin Beiber’s victory was announced earlier in the evening.

So, were the American Music Awards rigged? Was the teleprompter text a mega typo… down to the ‘we’re sorry Chris couldn’t be here to accept his award,’ even though Usher was clearly there to accept? Did presenters Lady Antebellum just say “Eff It” and pick a winner?

Or is it just too soon for Chris Brown to have his Mike Vick moment?

Sidenote: Maybe the AMAs just didn’t want any unclaimed Awards last night. According to this text from Lady Gaga’s manager, she should have won this year’s Artist Of The Year Award.