Taylor Swift had a huge night at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, winning two of the top awards – Best Female Artist and Top Selling Artist. The 28-year-old singer added even more trophies to her collection at the star-studded event held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. After her big wins, Taylor was clearly in a good mood as she walked backstage in a lively manner, almost revealing too much in her stunning dust pink gown which had a thigh-high split that almost showed her lingerie.
Tall and elegant Taylor Swift took home two prestigious awards at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, winning Best Female Artist and Top Selling Artist. Following the release of her controversial album Reputation, where she doesn’t hold back on addressing her well-known rivals like Katy Perry and Kim Kardashian, Taylor was in high spirits and almost had a wardrobe mishap out of excitement. Taking the stage to accept her second award of the night for Top Selling Album, Taylor expressed her gratitude to her fans for making her feel understood once again. She mentioned how songwriting has always been a way for her to feel understood since she was 12, and during the making of Reputation, she felt a bit misunderstood by many. Mila Kunis, who was delighted to present Swift with the award, introduced a special video tribute before Taylor’s heartfelt speech onstage.
“You just really get me. The way you’ve cared for me and treated me, thank you for making me feel understood again,” the singer expressed her gratitude. Earlier at the event, Taylor won the award for Best Female Artist. She took the time to appreciate her female colleagues in the music industry and those who paved the way for her and others. Acknowledging that this was her first awards show appearance in years, the singer started her speech by thanking Camila Cabello and Charlie XCX, her current tour mates, and all the female artists who have set the stage for their work. Taylor also expressed her admiration for the new female artists making waves in the industry, saying, “We’re so inspired by you all.” Looking towards the future, the hitmaker gave a shoutout to aspiring female artists who are just starting to learn their craft, such as playing the guitar or piano. And of course, Taylor made sure to show her gratitude to her fans, who have continuously supported her throughout her career.
Standing beside her supporters: Swift was filled with feelings as she expressed her gratitude towards her fans, saying ‘I just want to express my thanks to the fans for always being there’.
You rock, girl! Taylor Swift expressed her gratitude to other female artists and those who came before her while accepting the Best Female Artist award at The Billboard Music Awards.
The future looks bright for the upcoming generation of female artists. A shoutout to all the young talents out there who are just starting to learn how to play guitar or piano. Their creativity and passion will surely pave the way for a new era of music.
Hey everyone on the tour! Taylor Swift expressed her gratitude towards Camila Cabello and Charlie XCX, her current tour companions, for their support and collaboration.
Looking fabulous: Taylor snuggled close to Camila Cabello while enjoying the awards show side by side.
Ready to rock and roll! Despite her calm demeanor during her performance, Taylor confessed that it had been ages since she last attended an awards ceremony.
Celebrity encounter: Taylor was all smiles as she engaged in a lively conversation with Tyra Banks, the host of America’s Next Top Model, during the awards ceremony.
While Taylor Swift received some prestigious awards on the night, Ed Sheeran was the big winner, taking home six awards including the Top Artist prize. The popular singer also won Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, and Top Radio Song for his hit “Shape of You”. The awards ceremony began with a surprise as Khalid won Best New Artist over the favorite, Cardi B.
Causing a stir: Taylor captivated everyone as she made her way through the backstage area, holding her awards proudly.
Taylor was seen getting cozy with Mila Kunis backstage. Mila was rocking a stunning studded leather mini skirt. Taylor showed off her long legs as she navigated through the aisles to reach the seating area.
Chilling in style: Shawn Mendes and Taylor Swift were spotted sitting together at the awards show. Unfortunately, Cardi, who is expecting a baby with rapper Offset, couldn’t make it to the event. When comedian Rebel Wilson presented him with the award, Khalid appeared genuinely touched, saying, “This goes beyond just me. It’s for the young ones, the dreamers, and believers out there. Ignore the haters and obstacles, the only one stopping you is yourself.” He closed the show by expressing gratitude to his fellow musicians in the audience.
Unforeseen victory! The ceremony began with an unexpected twist as the up-and-coming singer Khalid snagged the Best New Artist award, beating out the fan-favorite Cardi B. The event was further energized by host Kelly Clarkson’s lively performance of a medley of the top hits, getting the audience up and dancing.
Kelly Clarkson took a moment to acknowledge the recent school shooting tragedy in Santa Fe, Texas, before the event began. Ten people lost their lives when a 17-year-old student opened fire at his high school. The singer expressed her frustration with the idea of a moment of silence, suggesting instead a moment of action and change. She urged everyone to come together to make a difference and put an end to such tragedies.
Can you believe it? Showing off her versatility, the actress surprised everyone by performing Kendrick Lamar’s Humble and then switching it up by donning a fur coat for her own spin on the Bruno Mars and Cardi B hit, Finesse.
She’s absolutely talented! The singer effortlessly transitioned between different music genres, mixing songs like Marren Morris’ My Church, Sam Smith’s Too Good At Goodbyes, and Shawn Mendes’ Nothing Holding Me Back. Addressing the need for change, she passionately expressed, “We must do better! These individuals are letting down our kids, our communities, and their families. As a mother of four, I can’t bear the thought of receiving that dreaded phone call or knock on the door. Instead of a moment of silence, let’s honor and respect them with a moment of action — a moment of transformation.” Following her thought-provoking words, Clarkson energized the audience with a mashup of the year’s hottest tracks. She kicked off the performance by seamlessly blending Marren Morris’ My Church, Sam Smith’s Too Good At Goodbyes, and Shawn Mendes’ Nothing Holding Me Back. Showcasing her versatile vocal abilities, she even tackled Kendrick Lamar’s Humble before smoothly transitioning to Imagine Dragon’s Thunder. To top it off, she donned a fur coat and put her own spin on Bruno Mars and Cardi B’s collaboration, Finesse.
It’s raining gentlemen! The singer with a ponytail struck a pose on a stack of umbrellas while she was on stage.
Get ready to shed some tears! Kicking off the evening’s entertainment was none other than Ariana Grande, who brought the house down with a lively performance of her hit song No Tears Left To Cry. Dancing across the stage with a group of umbrella-wielding dancers, Grande set the tone for the night with her energetic performance. Camila Cabello couldn’t resist joining in on the fun, singing along to Grande’s performance while her brother, Frankie Grande, cheered her on from the crowd. The chemistry between Khalid and Normani was palpable as they took the stage to perform their hit song Love Lies. And of course, Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato delivered a show-stopping performance of their new track Fall In Line, both clad in shiny black trench coats as they belted out their powerful vocals. The evening was filled with incredible performances that left the audience in awe.
Absolutely legendary: Janet Jackson appeared as the epitome of music royalty at the ceremony where she was recognized with the prestigious Icon Award.
At 52, the diva showed that she’s still as sultry as ever, wowing the audience as she sizzled on stage alongside a group of attractive backup dancers.
Can I hear a hallelujah? Janet Jackson described it as a significant moment in history during her acceptance speech for the Icon Award, emphasizing that women have finally asserted their independence and refusal to be controlled. Her return to the spotlight was nothing short of remarkable, and after a mesmerizing performance, she expressed her gratitude for the award and acknowledged the ongoing struggles of our era. “I am truly honored and thankful for this recognition. I believe that despite all the obstacles we face, we are living in a pivotal moment in history,” she stated. “It is a moment where women have unequivocally declared that they will not be manipulated, controlled, or mistreated. I stand in solidarity with both women and men who share this belief.” Aside from receiving the prestigious Icon Award, Janet’s performance marked her first television appearance in nearly a decade, a period in which she welcomed her son Eissa with her ex-husband Wissam Al Mana.
Kelly confidently wore her fluffy pink earmuffs while excited fans of the K-pop sensation BTS let out deafening cheers just before the Freaky Love performers took the stage.
Arriving on the scene! The popular K-Pop group BTS had such a huge following among their fans that their cheers almost drowned out the music of the boy band.
Setting the stage on fire! The undeniable connection between Khalid and Normani, previous member of Fifth Harmony, was impossible to miss as they lit up the stage with their performance of the hit song Love Lies.
Dua was feeling flirty, looking stunning in a luxurious purple robe adorned with delicate black lace, and rocking the no-underwear look.
Absolutely thrilled! Dua Lipa took to the stage, riding a sparkling flamingo during her performance of New Rules.
He truly proves himself as a legend every time he performs! After wowing audiences with his role in Jesus Christ Superstar, John Legend once again brought his commanding stage presence to the spotlight.
Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato truly delivered with their first-ever collaboration, the powerful song Fall In Line.
Can we make it any more obvious? The show wouldn’t be complete without the popular song “let’s discuss sexuality”.
The evening ended on a high note as the 90s R&B legends Salt N Pepa joined forces with En Vogue for an unforgettable performance. Halsey and The Chainsmokers also took the stage, paying tribute to the late EDM artist Avicii. Reflecting on his impact, Chainsmoker Drew Taggart expressed the loss felt by the music world. Additionally, Jennifer Lopez dazzled the audience with the premiere of her new song Dinero alongside DJ Khaled and Cardi B, shining in a stunning silver bodice.
J Lo made headlines with the debut of her latest track, “Dinero,” featuring DJ Khaled and Cardi B, as they performed alongside dancers sporting fedoras. The focus was definitely on the cash flow!
Creating a precipitation of money! Banknotes scattered in all directions as she belted out lyrics about making money, switching effortlessly between English and Spanish. The energetic DJ hyped up the crowd with the track, surrounded by piles of cash and catching a glimpse of Wall Street 2 playing in the background. When J.Lo took the spotlight, she shimmered in a bedazzled corset and white pants adorned with numerous diamond necklaces. Banknotes continued to fly as she sang about cash flow in multiple languages. Demonstrating her serious intention, the stunning artist added a fedora and white jacket for a touch of gangster-chic style. Unfortunately, due to her advanced pregnancy and nearing due date, rapper Cardi B couldn’t attend the awards ceremony in person, opting instead to deliver her verse through a pre-recorded black and white segment.
Forever youthful: Shawn Mendes and Khalid welcomed the talented students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s show choir to perform a heartfelt rendition of Mendes’ hit song “You Can’t Take My Youth Away.”
Rest in peace: Halsey and The Chainsmokers (Alex Pall, on the left, and Andrew Taggart, on the right) performed on stage in memory of the beloved EDM artist Avicii, who tragically passed away in April.
Let’s keep it real: The collaborators of The Closer took the opportunity on stage to discuss the importance of mental health.
“A significant loss”: Drew Taggart of Chainsmoker expressed his sorrow, stating, “His passing was truly a loss for the music industry and for us.” Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey joined forces for the first live performance of their hit song The Middle, despite its prolonged chart-topping success. Shawn Mendes and Khalid brought members of Marjorie Stoneman Douglass High’s show choir on stage for a moving rendition of Mendes’ song You Can’t Take My Youth Away. Halsey was visibly moved, struggling to hold back tears as the performance unfolded, with Shawn’s girlfriend Hailey Baldwin proudly singing along in the audience. The audience gave the group a standing ovation at the conclusion of the emotional performance.
Introducing on stage were French Montana and Hailey Baldwin hyping up the crowd for Dua Lipa’s amazing performance. Not to be outdone, Ashlee Simpson and her husband Evan Ross were thrilled to introduce Ed Sheeran, who gave a mesmerizing performance all the way from Dublin, Ireland via video.
Luis Fonsi brought some Latin spice to the table by snagging an award for the sizzling track Despacito, winning in the category of Hot Top 100 Song.
Get ready, because at the recent awards show, Julia Michaels introduced a duet by Demi and Christina, along with Grace Vanderwaal, commenting that it will be a beautiful performance. Post Malone and 21 Savages were awarded the Top Rap Song Billboard for their hit song Rock Star. Earlier in the day, several awards were announced, including Kendrick Lamar, who won multiple trophies such as Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Rap Album, Top Streaming Songs Artist, and Top Streaming Song. Bruno Mars followed closely behind, winning awards like Top R&B Album for 24K Magic, Top R&B Song for That’s What I Like, Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, Top R&B Tour, and Top R&B Song.
Next to each other! Prior to unveiling their new collaborative song, Demi and Christina teamed up in the crowd.
Two popular stars of the hit show This Is Us, Chrissy Metz and Justin Hartley, teamed up to announce the winner of the fan-voted Top Social Artist Award, which was snagged by none other than the K-pop sensation BTS. Meanwhile, Marren Morris lit up the stage in sparkly sequins with her newlywed husband Ryan Hurd by her side.
Energetic and enthusiastic! Taylor was thrilled to share a smile with the fabulous host and queen of the runway, Tyra Banks from America’s Next Top Model. Making a grand entrance, Ciara wowed the crowd in a stunning gold dress that was as sheer as can be. Bruno Mars had the privilege of introducing the legendary Janet Jackson as she was presented with the Icon Award. And Bebe Rexha stole the spotlight in a dazzling black gown that shimmered and sparkled.
Out in the open air! Macklemore & Kesha put on a show-stopping performance of their hit track Good Old Days, rocking out in front of a massive crowd of adoring fans.
Here’s to celebrating! Pharrell and Camila Cabello have caused quite a stir with their latest hit, Sangria Wine.
Delighting the audience with just what they wanted! Camila kicked off her set with her latest collaboration with Pharrell, getting the crowd hyped up before launching into her smash hit “Havana.”
Kelly Clarkson stepped up to the challenge, playing two roles by hosting the event and then showing off her singing chops with a performance of her song “Whole Lotta Woman”.
It’s time for a night out! Kesha was joined by her partner Brad Ashenfelter at the awards show, while Ne-Yo cheered on his fellow artists from the crowd. Taking center stage! Padma Lakshmi and Andy Cohen were on hand to present the Billboard Chart Achievement award, Sam Hunt won the Top Country Song award, and Rebel Wilson also had her moment in the spotlight during the event.
