The awards show airs on May 23 with both live and prerecorded segments. ``To the box that society keeps trying to put me, you need stronger material because you can't keep me in it,`` he proclaimed.Icon award recipient Pink performs with her daughter Willow at the Billboard Music Awards, Friday, May 21, 2021, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. ``I released my first mixtape 15 years ago and this is the first big stage I've ever been invited to accept an award on,`` he said, kissing his actor-girlfriend Megan Fox before walking to the stage. Machine Gun Kelly, who started in rap but has had recent success on the rock charts, won top rock artist and top rock album. Stars like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Kanye West won honors at the show though they didn't attend. Other performers included Karol G, twenty one pilots, Duran Duran, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jonas Brothers and Glass Animals.
Alicia Keys, celebrating the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut ``songs in A minor,`` sang songs from the album including the hit ``Fallen.`` The performance was introduced by former first lady Michelle Obama. Doja Cat and SZA _ accompanied by futuristically dressed background dancers _ sang their big hit ``Kiss Me More`` inside the venue, where the seats were empty. and Migos, who brought the concert vibe back to life a year after live shows were in the dark because of the pandemic. Also read: Jennifer Aniston says getting back together for 'Friends' reunion was 'like a family' show to air on May 27 The Billboard Awards kicked off with a collaborative performance by DJ Khaled, H.E.R. The producers did ban Wallen from performing or attending the show. Wallen was nominated for six awards, and Billboard Awards producer dick clark productions said it couldn't prevent Wallen from earning nominations, or winning, because finalists are based on album and digital sales, streaming, radio airplay and social engagement.
Morgan Wallen, who was caught on camera using a racial slur earlier this year, won three honors, including top country artist and top country album for ``Dangerous: The Double Album,'' which has had major success on the pop and country music charts despite his fallen moment. ``I've been performing for 10 years really hard.We've worked so hard to get here.'' Another country star also won big Sunday though he wasn't allowed to participate in the show. This means so much to me,'' Barrett said as she broke into tears. The Jonas Brothers performed at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards outside the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, U.S. Breakthrough country singer Gabby Barrett won three awards, including top female country artist and top country song for the hit ``I Hope.'' The song's remix featuring Charlie Puth won top collaboration. And Houston rapper and activist Trae Tha Truth, who earned the Change Maker Award, ended his speech with a powerful sentence: ``We still gon' need justice for Breonna Taylor.`` Other winners Sunday included Bad Bunny and BTS, who both won four awards and also performed. Before presenting top rap song to DaBaby, Swizz Beatz dedicated a moment to those who have recently died in hip-hop, including his close friend and collaborator DMX. Another late rapper was also honored during the show. ``Thank you to the fans for honoring the life and spirit of my son, so much that he continues to manifest as if he was still here in flesh,`` Audrey Jackson said. I do not take this for granted.`` The late rapper Pop Smoke was also a big winner: He posthumously earned five honors, including top new artist and top rap artist, while his debut _ ``Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon`` _ won top rap album and top Billboard 200 album, which his mother accepted onstage.
``I am the man I am today because of you. ``I wanna take this opportunity to thank you, my parents,`` he said.