The 21-year-old Cabello beat out Ariana Grande, Drake, Dua Lipa and Post Malone for best artist at Sunday's show.

Her hit song Havana took the trophy for best song.

Cabello was voted best pop artist last year when the awards were announced in London.

Nicki Minaj also had a good night, winning a brace of awards, as she, Muse and Janet Jackson were among the stars performing at the show.

Minaj landed two awards: Best Hip Hop and Best Look.

The show, formerly known as the MTV Europe Music Awards, celebrated its 25th edition in northern Spain. The awards are held in a different European city each year, with winners selected by fans across the continent.

In a night that put female artists front and centre, Minaj and Best UK and Ireland Act winners Little Mix sang Women Like Me.

Lending proceedings some local flavour, modern Flamenco-inspired Spanish artist Rosalia came on stage in a gigantic truck and sang Malamente.

Shawn Mendes, a double award-winner last year, landed the Best Live award. Dua Lipa won Best Pop. Panic! At the Disco won Best Alternative, and performed High Hopes.

THE WINNERS

BEST ARTIST Camila Cabello

BEST VIDEO Camila Cabello - Havana ft. Young Thug

BEST SONG Camila Cabello - Havana ft. Young Thug

BEST POP Dua Lipa

BEST NEW Cardi B

BEST LOOK Nicki Minaj

BEST HIP HOP Nicki Minaj

BEST LIVE Shawn Mendes

BEST ROCK 5 Seconds of Summer

BEST ALTERNATIVE Panic! At the Disco

BEST ELECTRONIC Marshmello

BIGGEST FANS BTS

BEST WORLD STAGE Alessia Cara, MTV Spotlight @ Hyperplay, Singapore 2018

BEST PUSH Grace VanderWaal (December 2017)

BEST US/WORLDWIDE ACT Camila Cabello

Australian Associated Press