Everyone who’s anyone was at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards show last night, which aired live on ABC from Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Taylor Swift took home an impressive eight awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for “Red.” Riffing off her relationship-challenged life, she told the crowd, “You are the longest and best relationship I ever had.”
She also had a fun performance of her hit “22” — starting backstage and working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike with help from a dozen background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.
Justin Bieber also performed — twice — and scored three awards, including top male artist, social artist and the fan-voted milestone award, beating out Swift and Bruno Mars. When accepting the latter — where boos were heard (in support or against? I’m not sure) — he referenced the tumultuous weeks he’s had in the public eye.
“I’m 19 years old; I think I’m doing a pretty good job. And basically from my heart I really just want to say it should really be about the music, it should be about the craft that I’m making. This is not a gimmick. I’m an artist and I should be taken seriously and all this other bull should not be spoken.” Well, then, take care of that monkey, Biebs!
Bieber performed with will.i.am and solo when he sang “Take You” in leather pants, a leather vest and a black shirt that had one sleeve, as blue laser lights beamed.
Miguel performed, too, although I’m still confused about the fan-kicking part of his performance, when he jumped over the crowd while singing his hit “Adorn.” The R&B singer appeared to land on one fan, who walked away, and then kick another, who held her head low. Hmmm … he needs to take some fan etiquette lessons from Bieber.
Apparently, Billboard doesn’t want us to see that one. Will add a video if I can find a high-quality one that’s not someone pointing a camera at their TV set.
Maroon 5 and fun. were nominated for 11 awards and walked away with one win each in pre-telecast announcements. Gotye and Rihanna had the second-most wins with four awards each.
Here’s the complete list of winners for the 2013 Billboard Music Awards:
ARTIST AWARDS
- Billboard Icon Award: Prince
- Top Touring Artist: Madonna
- Milestone Award presented by Chevrolet: Justin Bieber
- Top Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top New Artist: One Direction
- Top Male Artist: Justin Bieber
- Top Female Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top Duo/Group: One Direction
- Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top Hot 100 Artist: Maroon 5
- Top Digital Songs Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top Radio Songs Artist: Rihanna
- Top Social Artist: Justin Bieber
- Top Streaming Artist: Nicki Minaj
- Top Pop Artist: One Direction
- Top R&B Artist: Rihanna
- Top Rap Artist: Nicki Minaj
- Top Country Artist: Taylor Swift
- Top Rock Artist: fun.
- Top Latin Artist: Jenni Rivera
- Top Dance Artist: Madonna
- Top EDM Artist: David Guetta
- Top Christian Artist: tobyMac
ALBUM AWARDS
- Top Billboard 200 Album: Taylor Swift “Red”
- Top Pop Album: Adele “21”
- Top R&B Album: Rihanna “Unapologetic”
- Top Rap Album: Nicki Minaj “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded”
- Top Country Album: Taylor Swift “Red”
- Top Rock Album: Mumford & Son “Babel”
- Top Latin Album: Jenni Rivera “Las Misma Gran Senora”
- Top Dance Album: Madonna “MDNA”
- Top EDM Album: Skrillex “Bangarang”
- Top Christian Album: tobyMac “Eye On It”
SONG AWARDS
- Top Hot 100 Song: Gotye Featuring Kimbra “Somebody That I Used To Know”
- Top Digital Song: Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe”
- Top Radio Song: Gotye Featuring Kimbra “Somebody That I Used To Know”
- Top Streaming Song (Audio): Gotye Featuring Kimbra “Somebody That I Used To Know”
- Top Streaming Song (Video): PSY “Gangnam Style”
- Top Pop Song: Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe”
- Top R&B Song: Rihanna “Diamonds”
- Top Rap Song: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz “Thrift Shop”
- Top Country Song: Taylor Swift “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
- Top Rock Song: Gotye Featuring Kimbra “Somebody That I Used To Know”
- Top Latin Song: Michel Telo “Ai Se Eu Te Pego”
- Top Dance Song: Baauer “Harlem Shake”
- Top EDM Song: Baauer “Harlem Shake”
- Top Christian Song: Matt Redman “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)”
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