ACM Awards: Taylor Swift wins (again) for her music and her charity work

ACM Awards: Taylor Swift was relatively subdued after fans voted her the Academy of Country (ACM) Awards Entertainer of the Year. On Saturday, Michelle Obama awarded Taylor Swift The Big Help Award for her charity work.

There was little surprise when Taylor Swift won entertainer of the year at The Academy of Country Awards on Sunday night ? except maybe in how little surprise the 22-year-old sensation showed when her name was called.

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Swift displayed none of her normal expressions of astonishment after winning the academy's top honor for the second year in a row. And, in fact, neither did her competitors, who gracefully if grimly acknowledged her as she hugged her way to the stage. With millions of albums sold and millions of new fans turned on to country music ? and turning out to vote for her ? the award had the feel of a coronation.

"She deserved it," fellow nominee and show co-host Blake Shelton said. "When those announcements came out who was nominated, I remember saying right then ? I don't think I said I hope Taylor wins because I hoped I would win ? but Taylor deserves it. I don't think there is anyone with half a brain that would say otherwise. She has done a lot for us in country music. We are lucky enough in country music to call her one of us. But I am always going to make fun of her in my monologues so she might as well get used to that."

IN PICTURES: Academy of Country Music Awards

Miranda Lambert and the duo of Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson were the top winners with two trophies each and their early victories overshadowed Swift initially. Lambert took her third consecutive female vocalist award, and was matched by husband Shelton, who ended Brad Paisley's five-year run in the male vocalist category. She also won album of the year for a record-tying third time for "Four the Record." Aldean and Clarkson won single record and vocal event of the year for their steamy duet "Don't You Wanna Stay."

Swift was a mostly silent presence for much of the show. Shelton and co-host Reba McEntire poked a little fun at her, wondering about that rumored date with New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow. She eventually lost in the female vocalist and video categories and didn't perform.

When it came time for Lionel Richie to announce the entertainer winner, though, a feeling of inevitability had taken over. By then, the night's top nominee and Swift's main rival in the category, nine-time nominee Kenny Chesney, had been shut out of the awards. The other entertainer nominees were Aldean and Brad Paisley.

With the win she becomes the second woman to win two ACM entertainer of the year awards, following Carrie Underwood's wins the two previous years. Receiving the fan-voted trophy capped an incredible 24 hours that was nonetheless tinged with melancholy.

She spent Saturday in Los Angeles where first lady Michelle Obama presented her with The Big Help Award at The Kids' Choice Awards for her charitable work, something she said made her nervous because she considers Obama a role model.

"She was so cool," Swift said.

After that great experience, however, the ACMs were tempered by the fact her date couldn't make it. Somerdale, N.J., high school student Kevin McGuire, who has leukemia, was hospitalized on Friday with a virus.

"But I called him yesterday and told him that the next award show that he is well for we are going," Swift, wearing an elegant white floor-length dress with gold accents, said backstage.

While it comes as little surprise that Swift won, the ACMs did offer a few interesting developments this year.

Eli Young Band knocked off Chesney's take on "You and Tequila" with Grace Potter and other top stars in the song of the year category. It was a long time coming for the Texas quartet, whose lead singer Mike Eli exhorted watchers to follow the band by following their dreams. Eli told reporters their career has morphed in incredible ways. A few years ago they were excited to score an interview in a college newspaper. Sunday night, they were dedicating the win to their wives for their patience.

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