Topping the Billboard charts is a milestone in any musician’s career.
So hitmakers across genres gathered together for the annual Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday.
Getting on stage to accept the Top Selling Album award, Taylor Swift was all about her fans, telling audiences: ‘Thank you for making me feel understood again.’
You go girl! Taylor Swift thanked her fellow female artists and ‘all the female artists who paved the way’ while accepting the Best Female Artist honor at The Billboard Music Awards on Sunday
The singer-songwriter explained: ‘When I started writing songs when I was 12, I started writing songs because it made me feel more understood.’
‘And when I was making Reputation, for a while there I felt really, really misunderstood by a lot of people.
‘I just wanna say to the fans, thank you for continuing to show up.’
‘Just, the ways that you have cared about me and the ways that you’ve treated me, just thank you for making me feel understood again.’
Inspired: She also gave thanks to ‘all the new female artists killing it out there right now, we’re so inspired by you’
Tour mates! The Reputation crooner thanked Camila Cabello (above, right with Taylor and Shawn Mendes) and Charlie XCX, who she’s currently touring with
Earlier in the evening Taylor took home Best Female Artist, where she thanked her fellow women of music and the women who ‘paved the way’ for her and her peers.
Admitting it was her first time at an awards show in years, the Reputation singer started her remarks by thanking Camila Cabello and Charlie XCX, who she’s currently touring with, as well as ‘all the female artists who paved the way for us to get to do what we do, the way we get to do it.’
She also gave thanks to ‘all the new female artists killing it out there right now, we’re so inspired by you.’
Continuing onto the future generations, the chart-topper ‘Shout out to the future female artist that just picked up a guitar, or learned how to play piano.’
And of course Taylor thanked her most important supporters, the fans.
Next generation: Continuing onto the future generations, the chart-topper ‘Shout out to the future female artist that just picked up a guitar, or learned how to play piano’
Back in action! Though she seemed cool as can be on stage, Taylor admitted it was her first time at an awards show ‘in years’
The awards show started on a surprising note, with the Best New Artist trophy going to singer Khalid, instead of favorite Cardi B for the win.
Cardi, who is currently in the home-stretch of her pregnancy with Migos rapper Offset’s child, was not present for the awards.
Accepting the honor from comedienne Rebel Wilson, the Location crooner was clearly humbled by the win.
‘Honestly this is way bigger than me, this is for the youth, the young believers this is for all the young dreamers out there, he said, ‘Do not listen to negativity, the only person in the way of your future is yourself.’
He wrapped up by thanking all of his fellow artists in the crowd.
Ariana Grande started the evening’s festivities with an energetic performance of her hit No Tears Left To Cry, where she pranced through stage with a team of umbrella-toting back-up dancers.
Fellow starlet Camila Cabello couldn’t help but sing along with Grande as she crooned the new hit while brother Frankie Grande cheered her on from the audience.
Surprise win! The awards show started on a surprising note, with the Best New Artist trophy going to singer Khalid, instead of favorite Cardi B for the win
Cry your heart out! Ariana Grande started the evening’s festivities with an energetic performance of her hit No Tears Left To Cry, where she pranced through stage with a team of umbrella-toting back-up dancers
It’s raining men! The ponytailed pop star posed on a bunch of umbrellas during her performance
After some opening remarks, Kelly Clarkson got the crowd doing with a medley of the year’s biggest hits.
She jumped right into a song, blending Marren Morris’ My Church, Sam Smith’s Too Good At Goodbyes, and Shawn Mendes’ Nothing Holding Me Back together.
Proving her true range, the starlet even went into a rendition of Kendrick Lamar’s Humble, before pivoting to Imagine Dragon’s Thunder, and then throwing on a fur coat to do a version of the Bruno Mars and Cardi B track Finesse.
Sing out! After some opening remarks, Kelly Clarkson got the crowd doing with a medley of the year’s biggest hits
Is she fur real? Proving her true range, the starlet even went into a rendition of Kendrick Lamar’s Humble before throwing on a fur coat to do a version of the Bruno Mars and Cardi B track Finesse
It was hard to hide the chemistry between Khalid and Normani, formerly of Fifth Harmony, as they performed the song Love Lies.
Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato didn’t disappoint as they debuted their track Fall In Line, both donning shiny black trench coats as they belted their hearts out.
Janet Jackson was set to be given this year’s Icon Award.
In addition to being honored with the evening’s Icon Award, Janet’s performance would mark her first time on television in nine years.
Heating up the stage! It was hard to hide the chemistry between Khalid and Normani, formerly of Fifth Harmony, as they performed the song Love Lies
That’s why he’s a Legend! Just coming off the heels of his Jesus Christ Super Star gig, John Legend commanded the stage
First time: Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato didn’t disappoint as they debuted their track Fall In Line
Halsey and The Chainsmokers took the stage to pay tribute to EDM artist Avicii, who passed away unexpectedly in April.
‘His passing was a great loss for the music world and for us,’ said Chainsmoker Drew Taggart.
‘He was an artist who inspired so many in so many ways, and simply put, he meant so much to us and everyone in the EDM community.’
Several of the non-televised honors were announced earlier in the day.
‘A great loss’: Speaking about the DJ, Chainsmoker Drew Taggart said: ‘His passing was a great loss for the music world and for us’
Rest in power: Halsey and The Chainsmokers (Alex Pall, left, and Andrew Taggart, right) took the stage to pay tribute to EDM artist Avicii, who passed away unexpectedly in April
Newly-minted Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar already bagging the trophies for Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Rap Album, Top Streaming Songs Artist and Top Streaming Song.
Following close behind was Bruno Mars with an early count of five, as well as Imagine Dragons and Ed Sheeran, tallying up four honors already.
Janet Jackson was being honored with this year’s Icon Award.
Presenting… French Montana and Hailey Baldwin gave Taylor her award for Best Female Artist
Hello from afar! Ashlee Simpson and hubby Evan Ross had the honors of welcoming Ed Sheeran, who performed via video from all the way in Dublin, Ireland
Latin flavor! Luis Fonsi took home an honor for Hot Top 100 Song for the hit Despacito
Get ready: Singer Julia Michaels introduced Demi and Christina’s duet along with Grace Vanderwaal, telling the audience: ‘This is going to be beautiful’
Shining star! Marren Morris sizzled in silver sequins as she brought her new husband Ryan Hurd along for the evening
Side-by-side! Before debuting their new duet, Demi and Christina joined forced in the audience
Truly iconic: Janet Jackson looked like true music royalty at the event where she was being honored with the Icon Award
Billboard Music Awards 2018: Nominations
Top Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
Halsey is nominated for Top Female Artist
Top Female Artist:
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Halsey
Demi Lovato
Taylor Swift – WINNER
Top Male Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Top Hot 100 Song:
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, ‘Despacito’
Kendrick Lamar, ‘Humble.’
Bruno Mars, ‘That’s What I Like’
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage, ‘Rockstar’
Ed Sheeran, ‘Shape Of You’
Ed Sheeran is nominated for ÷ (Divide)
Top Selling Album:
Kendrick Lamar, DAMN.
P!nk, Beautiful Trauma
Ed Sheeran, ÷ (Divide)
Chris Stapleton, From A Room: Volume 1
Taylor Swift, reputation
Top Country Song:
Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina, ‘What Ifs’
Sam Hunt, ‘Body Like A Back Road’
Dustin Lynch, ‘Small Town Boy’
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line, ‘Meant To Be’
Brett Young, ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’
Top New Artist:
21 Savage
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Khalid – WINNER
Kodak Black