The 2017 Billboard Music Awards air LIVE from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas tonight (May 21) at 8:00 p.m. ET 5:00 p.m. PT on ABC. We’re live blogging all the winners and performers right here. Ludacris and Vanessa Hudgens will serve as host.
Nicki Minaj with Lil Wayne, Jason Derulo and David Guetta open the awards. Well. That was your typical Nicki feature stacked Nicki performance.
Ludacris and Vanessa Hudgens are on stage. Oh no. Jokes. Vanessa does her impersonation of Nicki Minaj. Hm. Oh look. Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are together in the audience. Next Vanessa inflicts her Celine Dion impression on the audience.
Drake has already won 10 awards. Oh boy. Ed Helms and Kevin Hart hand out the first award. Height difference! They present Top Collaboration to that annoying Chainsmoker’s song “Closer” featuring Halsey, who forgot to put on a shirt.
FIRST AMERICAN IDOL PROMO. THAT RIFF. THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!
G-Eazy and Vanessa’s “Best Friend” Ashley Tisdale introduce former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello who performs her debut singer “Crying in the Club” for the first time. The break has an African flavor, with dancers to match.
Kate Beckinsale from the new movie Only Living Boy in New York presents Top Male Artist to Drake. Of Course. He shouts out to all the Canadian artists in the category (???). He dedicates his award to THE FANS.
Rita Ora the host of the upcoming ABC competition reality show Boy Band, introduces the next act The Chainsmokers. They sing (if you can call it that) “Young.” It’s “Closer” 2.0, except with sh*tty vocals. Blargh.
Julia Michaels is next to sing her song “Issues.” Hey, this is the song that got Stephanie Rice kicked off of The Voice.
Mark Cuban and Sarah Foster introduce Ed Sheeran who performs “Castle on the Hill” via satellite from Santiago Chile. He’s wearing a t-shirt that says “Hoax,” the clothing company he has invested in. He’s pulled out his in ear. It’s amazing how much energy Sheeran can pour into an acoustic performance.
Bachelorette Rachel Lindsey is the next presenter. Miss America Savvy Shields presents Top Country Song to Florida Georgia Line for “H.O.L.Y.”
Next, it’s Noah and Billy Rae Cyrus and of course they’re around to introduce Miley Cyrus. She sings her new song “Malibu.” Noah says, “For the first time in years, she has pants on!” You know, Miley’s thing now is how she’s done doing drugs and taking her clothes off! And that “Wrecking Ball” video. She’s so embarrassed! and that twerking and nasty hip hop–she’s done with that. Dilettante problems. She’ll be coaching The Voice season 13. She’s hitting all the high notes. Or giving it the old college try. Oh, now she’s crying. MILEY’S CLEANSED Y’ALL.
Josh Duhamel (Fergie’s hubs) is next. He presents Top Billboard 200 album to Drake. He gives out compliments to the hosts “how about me” Nicki mouths in the audience. He gets to her. He also thanks Lil Wayne and his dad. He’s tied with Adele. Twelve wins in a single year.
Hailee Steinfeld is next to introduce New Zealand fav Lorde. She sings her song “Green Light” off of a teleprompter. It’s a karaoke bar. Spastic dance moves!
Alexandra Daddario and Ansel Elgort present Top Hot 100 Song to Chainsmokers and their crappy song “Closer.” Halsey gives a shout out to Drake. Well, he’s won a ton tonight. I wouldn’t feel bad.
Country singer Sam Hunt is next to sing about chicks in blue jeans, beer and trucks. “Body Like a Back Road.” Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Next it’s Sean Diddy P Diddy Puff Daddy Combs. He’s wearing a jaunty hat! He’s in the house to talk about the late Notorious B.I.G. It’s Biggie’s 45th birthday today. Dang, he died young. We see a clip of Diddy presenting a BB award to Biggie’s mother, 20 years ago. He introduces his son CJ Wallace, he says a few words. OK. The point. A documentary, Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, that details the Bad Boy Records story. Let’s see a clip. It will be available on Apple in June.
Lindsey Stirling and Logan Paul are next. Lindsey has already won an award tonight. They present the fan-voted Top Social Artist to…huh. Some K-Pop band called BTS? They beat Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. Wow.
Glee star Lea Michele takes the stage to introduce Celine Dion. It’s the 20 year anniversary of the Titanic theme “My Heart Will Go On” and the legend is here to sing it. She wears a white angel dress with huge white rose puff sleeves. Only Celine could get away with that. As she sings a crystal beaded curtain surrounding her slowly rises. It’s finally feeling like Las Vegas in here folks. As she finishes, the crowd roars! Vanessa is crying.
Vanessa “raps” the commercial teaser. Please don’t do that.
Next performers are Imagine Dragons. The band performs “Believer.”
Nicole Scherzinger and Empire’s Jussie Smollett present Top Country Artist to Blake Shelton! I knew he was in the audience for a reason. “I had a good feeling I was the luckiest guy in the room anyway because Gwen is here with me,” said Blake as he accepted his award.
The winningest dude of the BBMA’s Drake, performs live from the the Las Vegas. Bellagio Fountains.
Next, Halsey performs “Now or Never.” And I lost my internet connection for about 10 minutes. Whoops.
Rachel Platten and Chris Daughtry do an XFinity remote promo before presenting the Billboard Chart Achievement, a fan voted award, to Twenty-One Pilots. They couldn’t be in the house. They thank their fans via video. Note to Awards Presenters: Enough with the La La Land jokes, Mkay?
Now, for a collaboration I never dreamed up nor asked for: John Legend and Florida Georgia Line performing a mashup of their songs. “Surefire” and “H.O.L.Y.”
Dan Reynolds from Imagine Dragons presents a tribute to Soundgarden and Audioslave’s Chris Cornell. The legendary rock musician died earlier this week. A moment of silence from the audience.
It’s time to present the Icon award to Cher. Vanessa is dressed for the occasion, headdress and all. Gwen Stefani introduces the lady, who has been an active entertainer for 6 decades. Impressive. And here she is to perform her massive hit, “Believe.” Seventy + years old and she’s still half-naked. YOU GO GIRL. Ha ha ha…Blake Shelton loves him some Cher (she was a mentor for his The Voice team a few weeks back.)
Gwen narrates a video package that traces Cher’s long career. She’s had a #1 hit in every single decade since the 60’s. Cher’s back on stage, in a different outfit to sing “If I Could Turn Back Time.” She’s wearing the assless thing from the music video. Where is the Navy?
Gwen hands off the award to Cher, who announces that she turned 71 yesterday. And she can do a 5 minute plank! She admits she is successful because of luck and being surrounded by incredible people who believed in her. Short and sweet.
Now, Bruno Mars performs his next single, “Versace on the Floor” LIVE from Amsterdam. I generally like Bruno, but that song is all kinds of corny.
Prince Jackson presents the last award. The show meant a lot to his father, Michael, he says. He hands out the award for Top Artist which I’m sure is Drake. And it is and so he beats Adele’s record for most wins–thirteen–in a single year. WOW I DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING.
Drake brings up his entire family. He compares life to a roll of toilet paper, and most of that was bleeped out. AND WE ARE OUT.
Many winners were announced ahead of the live presentation.
2017 Billboard Music Awards Winners List
Top Artist:
Adele
Beyoncé
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake – WINNER
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top New Artist:
Alessia Cara
Desiigner
Lil Uzi Vert
Lukas Graham
Zayn – WINNER
Billboard Chart Achievement Award Presented by Xfinity (Fan Voted Category – Voting Opens 5/1):
Luke Bryan
The Chainsmokers
Nicki Minaj
Twenty One Pilots – WINNER
The Weeknd
Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake – WINNER
Future
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd
Top Female Artist:
Adele
Beyoncé – WINNER
Ariana Grande
Rihanna
Sia
Top Duo/Group:
The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Florida Georgia Line
Guns N’ Roses
Twenty One Pilots – WINNER
Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Beyoncé
Drake – WINNER
Prince
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Hot 100 Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Drake – WINNER
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Drake – WINNER
Prince
Justin Timberlake
Twenty One Pilots
Top Radio Songs Artist:
Justin Bieber
The Chainsmokers
Drake
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots – WINNER
Top Streaming Songs Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Desiigner
Drake – WINNER
Rihanna
Twenty One Pilots
Top Social Artist (Fan Voted Category – Voting Opens 5/1):
Justin Bieber
BTS – WINNER
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Shawn Mendes
Top Touring Artist:
Justin Bieber
Beyoncé – WINNER
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Top R&B Artist:
Beyoncé – WINNER
Bruno Mars
Frank Ocean
Rihanna
The Weeknd
Top R&B Tour:
Beyoncé – WINNER
Lionel Richie
Rihanna
Top Rap Artist:
J. Cole
Desiigner
Drake – WINNER
Future
Rae Sremmurd
Top Rap Tour:
Drake – WINNER
Future
Kanye West
Top Country Artist:
Florida Georgia Line
Blake Shelton – WINNER
Keith Urban
Chris Stapleton
Jason Aldean
Top Country Tour:
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney – WINNER
Dixie Chicks
Top Rock Artist:
Coldplay
The Lumineers
Metallica
Twenty One Pilots – WINNER
X Ambassadors
Top Rock Tour:
Coldplay – WINNER
Guns N’ Roses
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Top Latin Artist:
J Balvin
Juan Gabriel – WINNER
Los Plebes Del Rancho De Ariel Camacho
Maluma
Nicky Jam
Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers – WINNER
Calvin Harris
Major Lazer
DJ Snake
Lindsey Stirling
Top Christian Artist:
Lauren Daigle – WINNER
Hillsong Worship
Hillary Scott & The Scott Family
Skillet
Chris Tomlin
Top Gospel Artist:
Jekalyn Carr
Kirk Franklin – WINNER
Travis Greene
Tamela Mann
Hezekiah Walker
ALBUM AWARDS
Top Billboard 200 Album:
Beyoncé “Lemonade”
Drake “Views” – WINNER
Rihanna “Anti”
Twenty One Pilots “Blurryface”
The Weeknd “Starboy”
Top Soundtrack/Cast Album:
“Hamilton: An American Musical” – WINNER
“Moana”
“Purple Rain”
“Suicide Squad: The Album”
“Trolls”
Top R&B Album:
Beyoncé “Lemonade” – WINNER
Bruno Mars “24K Magic”
Frank Ocean “Blonde”
Rihanna “Anti”
The Weeknd “Starboy”
Top Rap Album:
J. Cole “4 Your Eyez Only”
Drake “Views” – WINNER
Kevin Gates “Islah”
DJ Khaled “Major Key”
A Tribe Called Quest “We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service”
Top Country Album:
Jason Aldean “They Don’t Know”
Florida Georgia Line “Dig Your Roots”
Blake Shelton “If I’m Honest”
Chris Stapleton “Traveller” – WINNER
Keith Urban “Ripcord”
Top Rock Album:
The Lumineers “Cleopatra”
Metallica “Hardwired…To Self-Destruct” – WINNER
Radiohead “A Moon Shaped Pool”
Red Hot Chili Peppers “The Getaway”
Twenty One Pilots “Blurryface”
Top Latin Album:
J Balvin “Energia”
CNCO “Primera Cita”
Juan Gabriel “Los Dúo 2” – WINNER
Juan Gabriel “Vestido De Etiqueta: Por Eduardo Magallanes”
Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho “Recuerden Mi Estilo”
Top Dance/Electronic Album:
The Chainsmokers “Bouquet (EP)”
The Chainsmokers “Collage (EP)”
Flume “Skin”
Kygo “Cloud Nine”
Lindsey Stirling “Brave Enough” – WINNER
Top Christian Album:
Casting Crowns “The Very Next Thing”
Lauren Daigle “How Can It Be” – WINNER
Joey + Rory “Hymns”
Hillary Scott & The Scott Family “Love Remains”
Skillet “Unleashed”
Top Gospel Album:
Tamela Mann “One Way” – WINNER
Kirk Franklin “Losing My Religion”
Travis Greene “The Hill”
Tasha Cobbs “One Place: Live”
Hezekiah Walker “Better: Azusa – The Next Generation 2”
SONG AWARDS
Top Hot 100 Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer” – WINNER
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”
Top Selling Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” – WINNER
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”
Top Radio Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
Sia Featuring Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills”
Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” – WINNER
Top Streaming Song (Audio):
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance” – WINNER
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty “Broccoli”
Rihanna “Needed Me”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top Streaming Song (Video):
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer”
Desiigner “Panda” – WINNER
Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall “JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens”
Top Collaboration:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer” – WINNER
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
Sia Featuring Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top R&B Song:
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance” – WINNER
Bruno Mars “24K Magic”
Rihanna “Needed Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top R&B Collaboration:
Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance” – WINNER
PARTYNEXTDOOR Featuring Drake “Come And See Me”
Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “I Feel It Coming”
The Weeknd Featuring Daft Punk “Starboy”
Top Rap Song:
Desiigner “Panda” – WINNER
Drake “Fake Love”
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty “Broccoli”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert “Bad And Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles”
Top Rap Collaboration:
D.R.A.M. Featuring Lil Yachty “Broccoli”
Zay Hilfigerrr & Zayion McCall “JuJu On That Beat (TZ Anthem)”
Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello “Bad Things”
Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert “Bad and Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane “Black Beatles” – WINNER
Top Country Song:
Kenny Chesney Featuring P!NK “Setting The World On Fire”
Florida Georgia Line “H.O.L.Y.” – WINNER
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw “May We All”
Little Big Town “Better Man”
Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color”
Top Country Collaboration:
Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King “Different For Girls”
Kenny Chesney Featuring P!NK “Setting The World On Fire” – WINNER
Eric Church Featuring Rhiannon Giddens “Kill A Word”
Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw “May We All”
Chris Young Featuring Vince Gill “Sober Saturday Night”
Top Rock Song:
Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons with Logic & Ty Dolla $ign Feat. X Ambassadors “Sucker For Pain”
Twenty One Pilots “Heathens” – WINNER
Twenty One Pilots “Ride”
Twenty One Pilots “Stressed Out”
X Ambassadors “Unsteady”
Top Latin Song:
Daddy Yankee “Shaky Shaky”
Enrique Iglesias Featuring Wisin “Duele El Corazon”
Nicky Jam “Hasta El Amanecer” – WINNER
Shakira Featuring Maluma “Chantaje”
Carlos Vives & Shakira “La Bicicleta”
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers Featuring Halsey “Closer” – WINNER
The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
Calvin Harris Featuring Rihanna “This Is What You Came For”
Major Lazer Featuring Justin Bieber & MØ “Cold Water”
DJ Snake Featuring Justin Bieber “Let Me Love You”
Top Christian Song:
Lauren Daigle “Trust In You”
Hillary Scott & The Scott Family “Thy Will” – WINNER
Skillet “Feel Invincible”
Ryan Stevenson Featuring GabeReal “Eye Of The Storm”
Zach Williams “Chain Breaker”
Top Gospel Song:
Jekalyn Carr “You’re Bigger”
Tasha Cobbs Featuring Kierra Sheard “Put A Praise On It”
Kirk Franklin “Wanna Be Happy?”
Travis Greene “Made A Way” – WINNER
Hezekiah Walker “Better”
