If it was a celebration of who wears the least amount of clothing in the pop – Miley Cyrus certainly walked home as the winner at the American Music Awards on Sunday night.

Performing her power ballad Wrecking Ball, the 20-year-old’s impressive live vocals were overshadowed by the fact she was stripped to her underwear.

Wearing a kitten-print pair of undergarments, Miley continued to shock as she strutted around the stage.

Hello Kitty! Miley Cyrus dons a skintight bikini to perform next to a giant cat at the AMAs… but at least she didn’t twerk

Sex kitten: Miley gives it her all onstage during the 2013 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live

Matchy matchy: Miley’s two-piece 80s style bikini was covered in a pussycat print that matched her shoes

She had arrived in a white trouser suit, suggesting that she was planning to smarten up her image a bit.

But the former Disney star proved that her provocative stage presence is here to stay.

Standing on stage behind a gigantic cat that looked on the verge of tears, Miley belted out the notes of the song, that is rumoured to be inspired by her break-up with Liam Hemsworth.

Tearful performance: At one point, Miley herself seemed to well up as she performed in front of a giant weeping cat

Not a happy kitty: Miley performs in front of a feline friend who could rival Grumpy Cat in the misery stakes

No wonder the cat’s crying! Miley Cyrus dons a skintight bikini to perform next to a giant feline who looks somewhat depressed

What’s new pussycat? Miley Cyrus was typically trashy in her stage appearance on Sunday night

Wrecking smalls: Miley’s underwear made sure that no attention was paid to her singing abilities

The young singer flaunted her figure around stage too, turning around to show the back of her bikini outfit.

But what she lacked in the wardrobe department, Miley certainly made up for in the accessories department.

Miley sported huge perspex earrings and bangles that looked to be seriously weighing her down.

Too risque for TV? Miley Cyrus was filmed from the waist upwards during most of her performance at the AMAs

Something missing: Miley hit all the right notes for her song Wrecking Ball but her clothes were MIA

Putting her two fingers up: Miley Cyrus clearly doesn’t have any time for critics who think her performances are too raunchy

Interestingly it seemed that Miley’s outfit was too much at time for producers of the show, who filmed her from the waist upwards.

At one point, Miley caught her breath and looked as though she was about to break down in tears but managed to keep her composure as she hit the final high note.

Meanwhile Miley’s pop rivals were significantly less raunchy.

Someone forgot their clothes! Miley Cyrus reveals a little too much as she performs in her smalls once again at the AMAs

Belting it out: Miley’s powerful vocals were overshadowed by lack of clothes

Some things never change: Miley certainly didn’t disappoint fans of her ever-present tongue

Wink wink: Even the cat couldn’t resist poking fun at Miley by sticking its tongue out