Justin Bieber wins Social Artist of The Year at Billboard Music Awards
Justin Bieber was the first winner at Sunday's (20May12) Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, picking up the Social Artist of the Year prize.
The teenage pop superstar, who spent over 40 weeks at number one on Billboard magazine's Social 50 chart, was lost for words as he collected the night's first honor, revealing he felt "blessed" to grow up "in front of everybody".
Thanking his screaming fans in the audience, he said, "The Internet
is where I got my start and all my fans have helped me get to this
position."
He also paid tribute to his manager Scooter Braun, stating, "He
helps me get through every day. He's always just being a positive
role model," and mentor Usher, adding, "He takes the time to really
care."
LMFAO kicked off the Billboard Music Awards by 'shuffling' their
way through an energetic medley of hits Party Rock Anthem, Sorry
For Party Rocking and Sexy & I Know It.
The duo took over the MGM Grand Garden Arena with their colourful
costumes, characters and a dancing pantomime zebra, which has
become a fixture at concerts.
RedFoo and SkyBlu also introduced a stripping pink teddy bear onto
the stage during their racy Sexy & I Know It routine, which ended
with the partying zebra showing his fancy underwear after a dancer
ripped off the rear of his costume.
The routine was a big hit among the group's peers and fans in the
audience - they gave the chart-topping duo a standing ovation as
show hosts Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen took the stage.
After Bieber's victory, hosts Bowen and Burrell paid tribute to Bee
Gees star Robin Gibb, who died hours before the ceremony.
Bowen said, "His voice and the music of the Bee Gees will live on
forever."
Lisa Marie Presley then took the stage to hand out the Billboard
Spotlight Award to Katy Perry, who made history by becoming the
first female artist to hit the top of Billboard Hot 100 singles
chart with five tracks from the same album, Teenage Dream. Only
Michael Jackson has managed the feat before her.
In accepting her award, Perry confirmed reports that she would be
lifting the lid off her marriage break-up by performing a new song
at the ceremony, stating, "These songs have been kind of like the
diary of my last two years and tonight, later, when I get on the
stage, I'm gonna be singing my personal, most intimate song for
you."
Perry, Bieber, Chris Brown, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Cee
Lo Green and his reunited Goodie Mob, The Wanted and Linkin Park
are also scheduled to perform at the ceremony, which will feature
tributes to late divas Whitney Houston and Donna Summer and Beastie
Boys rapper Adam Yauch.
Music's big night will close with a performance by Stevie Wonder
and Alicia Keys.