Justin Bieber and Eminem had a stellar night at the Billboard Music Awards, taking home six trophies each, while Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Mumford & Sons, Taio Cruz, Taylor Swift and Usher all represented, with three awards each. Beyonce and Neil Diamond won special recognition awards.
On stage, however, Britney Spears and Rihanna stole the show with a sexy duet that climaxed in a feathery pillow fight, while Cee Lo Green pulled a 360 suspended in the air with his piano.
Beyonce received the Billboard Millennium Award for her musical influence and for being role model for women, with a special tribute from First Lady Michelle Obama.
Neil Diamond, 70, won the Icon Award, given to artists, well, for exactly what even Diamond didn’t quite know.
He told the audience he would be sure to “Google it right after the show and find out exactly how an icon is supposed to handle himself.”
Eminem was a no show at the event despite his impressive win. He once held a grudge against the magazine for what he considered “racist” and biased coverage of the emerging rap scene in the late 1990s.
Bieber, however, looked his Elvis best in a his new spiky hairdo and a glittery gold tuxedo jacket. He sat in the audience with girlfriend Selena Gomez and the two kissed each other on the lips.
Bieber bested singer Bruno Mars and rapper Nicki Minaj for best new artist.
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“I’m 17 … every day is crazy to me because I see so many people and I get to make so many people smile,” he said in appreciation.
He also won for top pop album, streaming artist and song, as well as social and digital media artist.
Eminem won awards for top male artist, top Billboard 200 album, rap artist, rap song and rap album.
He released his top-selling album “Recovery” last year, with the hit single “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna.
The 23-year-old singer also won three awards, including top female and top radio artist of the year.
Taylor Swift, 21, won country artist of the year.