2018 Billboard Music Awards Was Ladies Night!
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards opened cold with Kelly Clarkson fighting back tears as she recognized the tragedy in Texas. She said let’s not have a moment of silence … it’s not enough, instead, “Let’s have a moment of change.” As she wiped her tears away the broadcast dipped to black.
Ariana Grande opened the show with her performance of No Tears Left to Cry.
Kelly took the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to officially open the show and said, “I’m going to try not to cry anymore.”
This was Kelly’s first official hosting gig and she asked everyone to go easy on her, “Obviously this is new for me and if you’re not going to be nice at least be funny.”
Kelley called on out several stars in the audience and gave a rousing shout out to Janet Jackson before she belted out a series of nominated songs, My Church, I’m Way to Good at Goodbye, Humble, Shape of You, and Look What You Made Me Do.
Rebel Wilson was up first to present the nominees for Top New Artist. The Billboard Award went to Khalid. “Thank you, mom, you’re the reason that I’m here.”
Hailey Baldwin and French Montana introduced Dua Lipa performance of New Rules. The Billboard Award for Top 100 Song went to Despacito. “This goes out to all the immigrants all the Dreamers out there. Puerto Rico this one’s for you.”
Taylor Swift
Shawn Mendes performed In My Blood and The Top Female Artist Billboard Music Award went to Taylor Swift.
“I haven’t been to an awards show in a few years so this is nice.” Camila Cabello was sitting next to Taylor and danced around in the audience to celebrate Taylor’s win.
Khalid and Normani Kordei performed a super hot rendition of Love Lies. John Legend followed and got the audience on their feet with his performance of A Good Night.
The 2018 Top Dance/Electronic Artist Billboard Award went to the Chainsmokers. Some guy came up and hugged them in the audience as they tried to take the stage. Awkward.
The Chainsmokers dedicated their award to Avicii and said they and many others owe their success to him.
The two powerhouse voices of Christina Aguilera and Demi Devato performed Fall In Line.
The 2018 Billboard Music Award for Top Social Artist went to the super popular Korean-pop boy band BTS and the audience went crazy.
Jennifer Lopez
Ed Sheeran sang “Galway Girl” and DJ Khalid Jennifer Lopez featuring Cardi B performed Dinero.
TI presented the nominees for the Top Rap Song and the Billboard Music Award went to Post Malone and 21 Savage for Popstar. They beat out Cardi B and Kendrick Lamar.
Shawn Mendes performed is very timely song Youth. The lyrics, “You can’t take my youth away” are so meaningful today.
Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey performed their hit that is everywhere right now, The Middle.
The 2018 Billboard Music Award for Top Selling Album went to Taylor Swift. As she went to take her award they showed a video highlighting her sales achievements. Taylor said, “I felt really misunderstood by a lot of people and I just wanted to say thank you to the fans.” “Thank you for making me feel understood again.”
Janet Jackson
Bruno Mars received a standing ovation when he came to the stage even before the audience realized he was introducing Janet Jackson. Before she took the stage they showed an incredible video taking her career from childhood. Her mother was in the audience. She is the first Black woman to receive the Billboard Icon Award. Ms. Janet Jackson.
Flanked by a stage full of dancers Janet performed “Nasty.” Bruno Mars bowed as he gave Janet the Billboard Award and the audience could not stop cheering as she tried to deliver her acceptance speech.
“I am deeply humbled and grateful for this award.”
Janet spoke loud, clear and personal about not standing for “control, manipulation or abused any longer.”
She ended by saying, “We lack source … and that source is God” “Everything we lack God has in abundance.”
The 2018 Billboard Music Award for Top Country Song went to “Sam Hunt “Body Like a Back Road.”
Macklemore and Kesha performed “Good Old Days.”
Kelly performed again and killed it and Simon Cowell followed and told Kelly he was proud of her as he introduced Pharrell Williams and Camila Cabello performing “Sangria Wine.”
The Billboard Chart Achievement Award went to Camila Cabello.
“This is a really cool moment for me.” “I want to thank my fans for sticking by me.”
Kelly put on headphones because of the roaring cheer of the group for the Korean pop group BTS. The audience sang and screamed through their entire performance.
Salt-N-Pepa
Tyra Banks announced the nominees for the Top Artist and the Billboard Music Award went o Ed Sheeran. He was on tour in Ireland and had to accept on video. Tyra said she accepted on his behalf.
Salt-N-Pepa, Spinderella and special guest En Vogue performed “Shoop” “Talk About Sex” “Mighty Good Man”The ladies tore it up! Kelly joined the ladies in the end.
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards was Ladies Night!
Tanya Hart
Follow me on Twitter at @TanyaHollywood
