Award shows are about honoring the best and brightest of a certain field, but the 2018 Billboard Music Awards also focused on delivering thrilling performances in spades.
The award show, now in its 25th iteration, was held in Las Vegas on May 20, 2018 (May 21 in the Philippines). It was hosted by “American Idol” Season 1 winner and current “The Voice” coach, Kelly Clarkson, who captivated the packed MGM Grand Garden Arena. Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar led the pack of nominees with 15 nominations each.
Popstar Janet Jackson was awarded the coveted Billboard Icon Award. Jackson made history by being the first black woman to receive the prize. Previous awardees include Stevie Wonder, Prince, Céline Dion, and Cher. To celebrate her win, she performed an electrifying medley of some her hits, including “Nasty,” “If,” and “Throb.”
Songwriter Ed Sheeran, on the other hand, won Top Artist over Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars, and Taylor Swift. Sheeran, who was not physically present for the ceremony, also broadcasted a special performance of his single, “Galway Girl,” live from Dublin, Ireland.
KHALID x NORMANI full 2018 Billboard Music Awards performance of ‘Love Lies’ #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/QTPO6B90Mg
— Beyoncé doce trece (@greatvaluetrash) May 21, 2018
The award for Best New Artist went to singer Khalid. Other nominees in the category include 21 Savage, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, and Kodak Black. Accompanied by Fifth Harmony member Normani, he performed “Love Lies,” a track from the film “Love, Simon.”
MOOD. @taylorswift13 #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/MmM8A5ka4E
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 21, 2018
Ed Sheeran took home Top Artist and Top Male Artist, Taylor Swift walked away with Top Female Artist. She beat out Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Halsey, and Demi Lovato. While Swift didn’t perform at the ceremony, host Kelly Clarkson sang a medley of 2017 hits that included Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.” In a truly “GIF-able” moment, Swift pretended to roll her eyes before breaking out in laughter.
There were plenty more memorable moments and performances peppered throughout the evening. Along with Jackson and Clarkson, women ruled the stage, giving incredible numbers with plenty of replay value. To open the evening, Ariana Grande delivered a fiery performance of her latest single, “No Tears Left to Cry.” Later in the ceremony, Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato tore the house down with their new song, “Fall in Line.” Even hip-hop legends Salt-N-Pepa came to close the show with a medley of their hits (including “Push It” and “Let’s Talk About Sex”) before being joined onstage by another classic girl group, En Vogue.
It was a good night for the music industry. All across the board, the Billboard Music Awards ceremony was a truly electrifying affair packed with talent and star power. But beyond the glitz and glamour, award shows like this one remind us that at the end the of the day, our hard work can lead us places.
The full list of nominees and awardees can be found on Billboard’s official page.
