The Billboard Music Awards took place at Nevada on Sunday, and the affair was grand in every way. With power-pack performances from stars, here is what you missed if you didn’t see it:
1. Adele premiers her new music video.
This British music sensation took the stage of the Billboard Awards’16 to premier the music video of her latest single Send My Love (To Your New Love) from her latest album 25. This visually stunning video sees Adele grooving around in a pink Dolce & Gabbana. This video is her first video directed by Patrick Daughters. There is very little that Adele can do wrong, and giving us a beautiful song, with an equally beautiful video, is not one of it.
2. Celine Dion delivers an inspiring performance.
Having lost her husband René Angélil just four months back, she delivered an extremely powerful and emotional performance as she took to the stage to perform Queen’s ‘ The Show Must Go On’. Backed by a stunning orchestra, Dion’s vocals did absolute justice to the song as she paid a tribute to her late husband and manager, leaving the audience and everyone watching teary-eyed. She was also presented with the Icon Award and was taken by surprise when she received it from her son René-Charles. She dedicated the award to her late husband saying “my beloved husband who I know will continue to watch over me from up above.”
3. A Tribute to Prince.
When it was first announced that Madonna was chosen to pay a tribute to the legendary Prince, many fans were vocal about their disappointment and suggested other artists, who, in their opinion, were worthy to do so. But come this Sunday, Madonna showed everyone why she was the perfect choice. In a show-closing performance, Madonna pulled off a gimmick-free tribute. Before she began with her performance, the trembling hands and watery eyes as she sang in praise for her old friend could not have been missed. To top it all, Stevie Wonder joined her on the stage as the duo sang ‘Purple Rain’ with equal participation from the crowd. It truly was a wonderful way to remember the iconic singer.
4. The Winners
No award ceremony is complete without artists winning big and getting acknowledged for their efforts. Adele and Justin Bieber were among the artists who won big. Here is a list of who took home the most prestigious awards of the night.
Top Hot 100 Artist: The Weeknd
Top Hot 100 Song: Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Top Country Song: Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man”
Top Male Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Album: Adele, 25
Top R&B Song: The Weeknd, “The Hills”
Billboard Chart-Achievement Award: Rihanna
Billboard Top Artist: Adele
Millennium Award: Britney Spears
Billboard Icon Award: Celine Dion
