Artists really pull out all the stops for award shows! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most show stopping performances in Billboard’s award show history.
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00:00Men have been given the chance to rule the world,
00:03but ladies, our revolution has begun.
00:07Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:09And today, we're counting down our picks
00:11for the most show-stopping performances in Billboard's
00:14award show history.
00:15But I mean to that, I'm good to go.
00:17I'm a drama, you know I glow.
00:20Hey, so let's go.
00:23Number 30, Miguel, 20th Billboard Music Awards.
00:27Even the most seemingly embarrassing moments
00:30can go on to become iconic.
00:32In 2013, Miguel was at the top of his career.
00:35He'd just released his sophomore record to critical acclaim
00:39and even hit the top 20 on the singles chart.
00:41I can't wait to see your grin, ooh, ooh, baby.
00:47He was set to commemorate this success with a performance
00:49of his hit, Adorn, at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards.
00:53He was on fire from the very beginning,
00:56effortlessly commanding the stage
00:58with his impressive vocals and choreography.
01:00Don't let that affect us nothing.
01:02No, no, you don't gotta let us down.
01:06Even an awkward stunt resulting in him
01:08landing on two spectators couldn't
01:10take him out of his groove.
01:11The subsequent controversy and internet memes
01:14that arose from the moment have ensured
01:16that he and his act will both be remembered
01:18for a long time to come.
01:20La, la, la, la, la, la, ooh, ooh, baby, Adorn.
01:28Number 29, Shania Twain, sixth Billboard Music Awards.
01:33With some musicians, you can pinpoint the exact moment
01:36they were destined to become a star.
01:38Oh, I'll be right there til you do my hair.
01:45Although her career was still blooming in 1995,
01:49Shania Twain had already made a positive impression.
01:52Her debut album had been received well,
01:54and she appealed to both devout country fans
01:57and the general public.
01:58She cemented her place within the industry
02:00when she took to the stage to present
02:02If You're Not In It For Love, I'm Outta Here
02:04at that year's ceremony.
02:06If you're not willing to give it all you got.
02:14While others would have gone all out
02:16in their costumes and dancing,
02:17Twain opted to let her voice take center stage.
02:20Although it was seemingly simple,
02:22the result was a rousing performance
02:24that served as a glimpse of the global superstar
02:27she would soon become.
02:30I'm outta here, yeah.
02:37Number 28, Miley Cyrus, 24th Billboard Music Awards.
02:42I never sat by the shore,
02:44Under the sun with my feet in the sand,
02:48But you brought me.
02:50This wasn't just a successful show,
02:52it was a sign of growth.
02:53In the early 2010s, Miley Cyrus had become known
02:56for her edgy behavior and music
02:59following her split with Disney,
03:00causing some to have a negative image of her.
03:03The release of Malibu in 2017
03:05was the first sign of maturation,
03:08and that was made more evident
03:09when she sang it at that year's Billboard Music Awards.
03:12Next to you, ha-ha, in my Malibu, baby.
03:19Not only did she look completely different
03:22from her past aesthetic,
03:23she also opted for a stripped-back performance.
03:26It was breathtaking in every sense of the word,
03:28from her flawless vocals
03:30to her emotional reaction at the end.
03:32It was a clear sign of good things to come from the artist,
03:35something she's proven tenfold.
03:38To bring you stuck,
03:41A dream come true in my Malibu.
03:48Number 27.
03:49Alicia Keys, Angie Stone, and Eve.
03:5212th Billboard Music Awards.
03:55Some acts are absolute masterclasses
03:57from beginning to end,
03:58and this was one without a doubt.
04:01The numbers started with a bang
04:02as Alicia Keys launched into a soulful rendition
04:05of her single, A Woman's Worth.
04:07Not just dope, but a show that you know
04:10she's worth your time.
04:13The crowd was entranced from the beginning,
04:16but they had no idea what was to come.
04:18Keys then introduced R&B legend, Angie Stone,
04:21who immediately broke out
04:22into a moving performance of Brothers.
04:25For your information, hello.
04:28The brothers from the show.
04:30Hey, yeah, yeah.
04:33Their voices blended perfectly,
04:35creating the ultimate combination
04:37of classic and modern techniques.
04:39The cherry on top was Eve coming out to lay down a verse,
04:42her impeccable flow getting the crowd
04:44even more excited for the rest of the night.
04:46The mashup was the perfect way
04:48of spotlighting three different,
04:50yet extremely gifted musicians.
04:52♪ Gotta go nowhere without her, he gotta keep her ♪
04:54♪ This is a dedication from me, Angie and Alicia to my ♪
04:57♪ My songs that I love you heard ♪
05:01Number 26.
05:02Artists Against AIDS Worldwide.
05:0512th Billboard Music Awards.
05:07Artists coming together to advocate for important causes
05:10isn't a new phenomenon,
05:12but this was one of the most impressive ways it's been done.
05:15♪ You know we got to find a way, yeah ♪
05:19♪ To bring some love in ♪
05:22During the 2001 ceremony,
05:24entertainers from various genres teamed up
05:27to close out the show
05:28with a group performance of What's Going On.
05:30The group cover was done to bring awareness
05:32to World AIDS Day,
05:34with a previously recorded version
05:36having been released earlier that year
05:38to raise money for the cause.
05:39♪ Speak it so you can see what's going on ♪
05:45♪ What's going on ♪
05:46The cover was executed perfectly,
05:48with each musician passing the microphone along
05:51as they took turns belting different lines of the song.
05:54It highlighted that generation's
05:55brightest up-and-coming stars,
05:57including Justin Timberlake and Beyonce,
06:00all while giving established artists
06:02the chance to flex their skills.
06:04♪ To bring some understanding, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
06:10Number 25, Paula Abdul, 26th Billboard Music Awards.
06:15Even established artists can still have something to prove.
06:18Paula Abdul proved that she still had what it takes
06:21when she took the stage in 2019
06:23to close the award show with a medley of her biggest hits.
06:27♪ Can someone tell me, do you really wanna love me forever? ♪
06:32It was laced with insane choreography,
06:34from opening with an advanced tap routine
06:37to her dancers aiding her in an intense acrobatic routine.
06:41It was a complete return to form,
06:43reminding the world of her immense talent.
06:45It was the perfect way to end the night.
06:47♪ Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go ♪
06:54Closing out the assortment
06:55with a jaw-dropping performance
06:57that wouldn't be forgotten anytime soon.
06:59She was able to prove to the world
07:01why she was forever its girl,
07:02and why she always would be.
07:05♪ I'll be with you forever, I promise the world ♪
07:15Number 24, Rihanna, 23rd Billboard Music Awards.
07:20There's a reason fans have been patiently waiting
07:22for years for her next project.
07:24♪ You got me like, oh, what you want from me ♪
07:32♪ What you want from me ♪
07:33With her collection of hits,
07:35Rihanna has easily become one of the world's biggest stars.
07:38By 2016, she was a seasoned pro,
07:41which showed in her rendition of Love on the Brain
07:43at that year's Billboard Music Awards.
07:45♪ And I can't get enough, must be love on a brain, yeah ♪
07:51The performance itself was stripped back,
07:53allowing her powerful, emotion-filled vocals
07:56to take center stage.
07:57It wasn't just beloved by her fans or even her peers.
08:01Critics also weighed in on it,
08:02comparing her to icons like Whitney Houston.
08:05It perfectly exemplified why she had the industry
08:08in a complete chokehold for so long,
08:10and why people will wait however long it takes
08:13for a proper comeback.
08:14♪ Must be love on a brain ♪
08:18♪ Yeah ♪
08:20Number 23, Lauryn Hill, 9th Billboard Music Awards.
08:24♪ I know I only say it cause I'm truly genuine ♪
08:27♪ Love in your heart ♪
08:28An era doesn't get much bigger than this.
08:30The release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
08:32caused the musician's career to catapult.
08:35She was everywhere that awards season,
08:37including the 1998 Billboard Awards.
08:40After taking the stage,
08:42it wasn't long before she had the audience
08:44eating out of the palm of her hand
08:45during a performance of Doo-Wop, That Thing.
08:48♪ Sometimes only about that thing, that thing, that thing ♪
08:56Her rapping and singing sounded just as good,
08:58if not even better, than on the recording.
09:01She even capped off the rendition
09:03with a sudden vocal shift at the end,
09:05closing out the song with a reggae-inspired sound.
09:08♪ Things done changed and you know them not ready ♪
09:11♪ For your heart that people done changed ♪
09:14♪ And you know them not ready ♪
09:16It was the perfect way to cap the legendary showing
09:18and was the ultimate victory lap
09:20to what had been a peak year for her.
09:22Number 22, Ariana Grande, 25th Billboard Music Awards.
09:28Although Ariana Grande has an undoubtedly gorgeous voice,
09:31many of her live performances remain underrated.
09:34When she had the opportunity to open the 2018 ceremony
09:37with No Tears Left to Cry, she took it
09:40and stunned everyone in the process.
09:43♪ Right now I'm in a state of mind ♪
09:47♪ I wanna be in it like all the time ♪
09:50She began by descending from the ceiling,
09:53balancing on umbrellas, taking the crowd's breath away.
09:56Her voice was as ethereal as always,
09:58enchanting the crowd with her sheer talent.
10:01♪ We way too fly to fly taking off ♪
10:04♪ Hey we out here vibing, we vibing, we vibing ♪
10:09It was clear she was having fun
10:11as she danced to the upbeat single,
10:13even reincorporating the earlier umbrellas
10:15into the choreography.
10:17It was the perfect introduction
10:18to what would become one of her strongest album cycles
10:21in her career and marked a tonal shift in her sound
10:24that would last for years.
10:26♪ Lovin' on livin' so we turnin' up, yeah we turnin' up ♪
10:32Number 21, Cher, 24th Billboard Music Awards.
10:37Each year, Billboard awards the Icon Award
10:39to an artist that they feel
10:41has made significant artistic contributions
10:44and Cher was the perfect candidate for it.
10:46When she received it in 2017, she first performed Believe,
10:51complete with the auto-tune that made it so iconic.
10:54♪ Do you believe in love, love, love, love, love, love ♪
10:59She was ageless in an all-white ensemble,
11:02looking every bit like the icon she was.
11:05After her legacy was explained,
11:07she returned wearing the instantly recognizable costume
11:10from the If I Could Turn Back Time music video.
11:13♪ If I could reach the stars, I'd give them all to you ♪
11:20Her flawless rendition made the crowd go even wilder.
11:23It was pure proof of why her career
11:25has lasted so long so far
11:28and why it won't be ending anytime soon.
11:32♪ And you love me, love me like you used to do ♪
11:37Number 20, Michael Jackson, 21st Billboard Music Awards.
11:42It had been about five years
11:43since the world lost this icon,
11:46but the undisputed king of pop was back on stage
11:49thanks to the latest technology.
11:51♪ She dances to his music ♪
11:54♪ She dances till he feels just right ♪
11:58Although it was a five-month-long work in progress,
12:01it was unclear whether Billboard
12:02would be allowed to use the hologram
12:04until just days before the show,
12:07but it was worth every second.
12:09♪ I say, I say, I say, I say, I say, I say, I say, I say ♪
12:14Performing slave to the rhythm,
12:16Jackson's smooth vocals and signature dance moves,
12:20including his famous moonwalk,
12:22took us back to his legendary live shows.
12:25Even in hologram form,
12:27Jackson's performance was powerful and affecting.
12:30The way he turned back into a painting
12:32to be admired at the end
12:34also left us with major goosebumps.
12:37♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, go, go, go, go, go ♪
12:45Number 19, Taylor Swift and Brendan Urie,
12:4826th Billboard Music Awards.
12:50Swift is famous for her innovative performances,
12:53but she really pulled out all the stops for this one.
12:56Sparkling, bubbly, and utterly joyous, she presented audiences with a pastel-clad
13:01euphoric display for the first live televised performance of Me.
13:12She was introduced by a drum fanfare while Yuri flew in later, Mary Poppins style.
13:18Everything from the incredible aerial performers to the duo's excellent chemistry
13:23made this an unforgettable showing.
13:26It's one of those moments that instantly puts a huge smile on your face.
13:36Plus, we totally want to ride in that floating umbrella.
13:39Taylor Swift never ceases to surprise us, and we couldn't be more glad.
13:44I promise you nobody's gonna love me like me-e-e-e!
13:49Number 18. Nicki Minaj, 24th Billboard Music Awards
13:53Minaj didn't have to go that hard when opening at the 2017 awards show,
13:58but we wouldn't expect anything less from the Queen of Rap.
14:09Performing an almost 10-minute long medley that included no-frauds,
14:13Light My Body Up, Swalla, and Regret in Your Tears, the star was not messing around.
14:18Her stage presence alone made this extravaganza so iconic,
14:22so the pyrotechnics, dancing, and impressive staging were just welcomed extras.
14:33Of course, the addition of guest stars Lil Wayne,
14:36David Guetta, and Jason Derulo was just the cherry on top.
14:40The performance was such a masterpiece that it was hard to believe anyone was
14:43brave enough to follow it. 17. Justin Bieber, 19th Billboard Music Awards
14:57Bieber fever was all the rage in 2012, and moments like this only prove why.
15:03Energetic, upbeat, and fun, the Biebs went all out for this performance.
15:10It included fog machines, glow-in-the-dark outfits, and insanely talented dancers,
15:22some of whom were dressed as mimes. And his awesome moves were particularly thrilling to watch,
15:28as per usual. The singer's youthful energy has often made him seem like the life of the party,
15:33and this was especially true during his boyfriend era.
15:41Whether he's dancing or interacting with the audience, you can tell that the stage is his
15:46home. Say what you will about the Canadian pop star, but there's no denying that he's quite the
15:51showman. 16. Prince, 20th Billboard Music Awards
16:01As the recipient of the prestigious Icon Award, Prince decided to put his trophy where his mouth
16:06is. Not that we really needed any convincing. He rocked our hearts and minds with a medley of
16:18Let's Go Crazy, Fix Your Life Up, and the instrumental Frankenstein. It's an extraordinary
16:25and rousing jam session that proves why the late Prince is one of the most influential musicians
16:31of all time. Decades into his illustrious career, he could still energetically outperform most with
16:43his stage presence alone. We can only imagine how amazing it must have been to be in the room
16:49as this artist extraordinaire did his thing. 15. Kelly Clarkson, 25th Billboard Music Awards
17:05and 26th Billboard Music Awards The multi-talented artist had the
17:11honor of hosting the awards three years in a row, slaying each time. In 2018, Clarkson
17:18sang a medley of hits, proving that there's no genre she can't master.
17:31Just as you thought nothing could top that, she returned the following year to flex her
17:36rap skills and sing in Spanish, among other things.
17:50She's one of the greatest vocalists of the modern era and has a phenomenally compelling
17:55stage presence. Just look at the audience's reactions the entire time. Plenty of us were
18:00on our feet dancing at home, too. Now, that's how you host a music awards show.
18:0614. Britney Spears, 23rd Billboard Music Awards
18:16Britney Spears' award show performances have always been legendary.
18:21Indeed, her 1999 mashup of Baby One More Time and Crazy was unforgettable.
18:36But in 2016, Spears came back with an even bigger bang.
18:41Kicking off the show, she treated us to a mega mix of hits.
18:51It was a confident and dynamic performance with mind-blowing choreography
18:56that showed everyone exactly why she was being honored with the Millennium Award that night.
19:01And when she threw it back to the iconic I'm a Slave for You choreography,
19:05well, we're not ashamed to admit that we were glued to our screens trying to replicate her moves.
19:10The entire performance was fun, energetic,
19:12sultry, and a powerful reminder that Britney always owns the stage.
19:2513. Rihanna and Britney Spears, 18th Billboard Music Awards
19:31We're not done celebrating Britney Spears quite yet. She and Rihanna were the duo we didn't know
19:36we needed, creating one of the sultriest acts in Billboard Music Awards history.
19:41RiRi dominated the stage, singing her hit S&M,
19:44and it didn't seem like it could get much better than that.
19:54But then she was joined by Britney, and we thought we might just lose our collective minds.
20:00Based on the audience's reaction, we were not alone.
20:09It was a provocative performance complete with sexy outfits, seductive moves,
20:14great chainography, and stellar vocals. If either star ever decides to put out a new record,
20:20another collaboration and performance would be most welcome.
20:3012. NSYNC, 11th Billboard Music Awards
20:38Let us take you back to the year 2000. NSYNC was thriving and set to deliver a momentous
20:43performance of Just Got Paid. Everything from their sound to their moves to their
20:48outfits was quintessentially 2000s, and watching it back still fills us with nostalgia.
20:54Wearing bright fur coats and hats, the band came out of a storybook,
20:58presenting audiences with a narrative that included props, dancing, and a choreographed
21:03bar fight. And of course, the best part was the beatboxing,
21:06because that never failed to take an early aughts performance to the next level.
21:19You could always rely on NSYNC to deliver the vocals and give an epic show,
21:23and this was no exception.
21:2811. Janet Jackson, 17th Billboard Music Awards
21:37We don't need to tell you that Janet Jackson's the ultimate showwoman.
21:40Indeed, this timeless performance speaks for itself.
21:49Before she even graced the stage, audiences got hyped with a montage
21:53showcasing her illustrious spanning career, narrated by the singer herself.
21:58Even so, nothing could have prepared us for the amazing number we were about to see.
22:03It was classic Janet — impressive, lively, and utterly mind-blowing.
22:16Her choreography was in a class of its own, and her style was totally mesmerizing.
22:21Of course, this wouldn't be Jackson's only Billboard show, but it stands out for its
22:26simplicity. We didn't need anything more than Ms. Jackson and her dancers tearing up the dance floor.
22:3910. John Legend and Jordan Sparks, 19th Billboard Music Awards
22:44In 2012, news of Whitney Houston's passing shook the world,
22:49and naturally, everyone wanted to honor the singer's legacy.
22:52And this stunning and stirring tribute still stands out among the best.
23:04It began with Legend's heart-wrenching rendition of Greatest Love of All
23:08before transitioning to Sparks, who beautifully sang I Will Always Love You.
23:13Houston's music is notoriously challenging, even for the most accomplished singers.
23:18Yet both nailed the vocals without compromising on the emotion.
23:33It was a touching recognition of the late legend's influence on the musical world and beyond.
23:38There's no doubt that they had the entire room gripped,
23:41and we can only imagine that Houston would have been beaming with pride, too.
23:489. Kesha, 23rd Billboard Music Awards
24:02Kesha stripped away much of the flashiness often seen in Billboard performances,
24:06instead giving us a raw and honest cover of Bob Dylan's It Ain't Me, Babe.
24:11And it was simply sensational.
24:19It's not just that her voice is stunning, it's also that you can tell the significance and care
24:28she puts into singing every single word and note.
24:31Her proximity to the audience adds a unique sense of intimacy, too.
24:35This was among her first performances amid legal battles with her former producer,
24:40and you could feel every ounce of emotion being poured out into the song.
24:44It was just beautiful, and earned her a much-deserved standing ovation.
25:058. Mariah Carey, 9th Billboard Music Awards
25:13When you have Carey's powerhouse vocals,
25:15there's little else you need to create a breathtaking performance.
25:19She proved that here with her striking rendition of Brenda Kaye's Stars, I Still Believe.
25:24The ballad perfectly showcased her extraordinary range and gorgeous voice.
25:36Carey went for it from start to finish, and made hitting all those notes look easy, as she does.
25:42The simple yet strong showing still stands out as one of the finest in Billboard's history.
25:47It was a big night for the singer, who was also being honored for being the female artist who had
25:58achieved the most Billboard No. 1s. This performance was the perfect way
26:02to commemorate such a special occasion.
26:137. BTS, 27th Billboard Music Awards
26:17Everyone has their favorite BTS, BBMAs appearance.
26:21But 2020's Dynamite stands out, because it was exactly what we needed that year.
26:33The guys lit up the ceremony all the way from South Korea,
26:36garnering just as big of a reaction as if they were in the room.
26:40The group put on a spectacular show, highlighting their smooth vocals and killer dance moves,
26:45all to an incredibly catchy tune.
26:55BTS is as captivating, engaging, and exciting as always,
27:00especially when we're watching them move with such impeccable synchronization.
27:03As some of the finest entertainers in the modern music biz,
27:07it's no wonder they've recruited such a loving and dedicated army.
27:156. P!nk, 23rd Billboard Music Awards
27:24P!nk's famous aerial performances are always a sight to behold,
27:27but she outdid herself this time. Appearing on stage looking fierce,
27:32she treated us to a daring show that saw her fly above the audience in an exhilarating moment,
27:37before landing back while still thrilling us.
27:46Naturally, her singing, dancing, and rapping were flawless the whole way through.
27:51Is there anything she can't do? The numbers finale was especially fire,
27:56both literally and figuratively.
28:06P!nk sat suspended in midair on clock hands in front of a flaming clock face.
28:11Meanwhile, her ensemble looked like something out of the world's greatest circus act.
28:15Like her song says, P!nk's totally one of a kind, and there's really no one like her.
28:265. Taylor Swift, 20th Billboard Music Awards
28:3122 is all about being carefree and having a good time,
28:34which is exactly what we got from Swift here. Starting backstage,
28:38she went all out to put on a show that was happy, free, exciting, and lively at the same time.
28:46She entered the main room on a bicycle, taking time to engage with the crowd as
28:56she made her way to the stage. We then got a colorful and thrilling dance segment,
29:01topped off with a downpour of balloons straight into the audience, giving us real party vibes.
29:16And we love that she did it all in a unicorn t-shirt. Needless to say,
29:20Swift's performances are always refreshing, enjoyable, and full of surprises.
29:324. Bruno Mars, 20th Billboard Music Awards
29:36Bruno and the hooligans became disco to open the show.
29:45Dressed in matching red suits and exhibiting their signature dance moves,
29:50the artists dazzled on stage, and not just because they were surrounded by flashing lights and
29:55endless glitter balls. It was all very jazzy and joyful, giving us major throwback nostalgia.
30:01Audiences could likely picture themselves traveling back in time to the 70s and
30:05grooving out to this song in a club.
30:16It was the perfect choice to kick off the event and got everyone hyped for the night ahead.
30:20Bruno Mars always delivers, but he definitely shines the brightest when he's keeping it old
30:25school. 3. Whitney Houston,
30:354th Billboard Music Awards With her powerhouse vocals,
30:39Houston showed that you don't need anything extravagant or theatrical to put on a showstopper.
30:44She demonstrated her vocal range and unrivaled talent simply by standing in front of the
30:49microphone in a gorgeous dress and singing her heart out. Her elegantly effortless sound packed
31:03a strong punch and left us hanging on her every note. Houston's one-of-a-kind voice never fails
31:09to entrance and amaze, and the song is guaranteed to leave you with chills no matter how many times
31:14you hear it. Moments like this remind us of what a phenomenal singer and performer she was.
31:28There will never be anyone quite like her. 2. Beyoncé,
31:4718th Billboard Music Awards There's nobody quite like Beyoncé
31:52as evidenced by this iconic appearance. It began with a video of her family and multiple famous
32:03faces celebrating the singer's achievements, and with this performance she confirmed everything
32:08that they said and more. It was artistic, dynamic, empowering, and a real visual marvel.
32:15There was a lot to take in, but Bey was in full control of it all.
32:23Whether it was interacting with her impressive backdrop, hitting every move,
32:29or letting her voice's power soar, the amazing performer exuded perfection.
32:33It's practically impossible to compete with Beyoncé's showmanship
32:37as she's in a league of her own. They don't call her Queen B for nothing.
32:411. Celine Dion, 24th Billboard Music Awards
33:10A true icon, Celine gave us one of the most powerful and stirring renditions of
33:14My Heart Will Go On to celebrate its 20th anniversary. She simply stood on stage,
33:20veiled at first by a magnificent chandelier, and poured her heart out with every word.
33:34Having recently experienced loss herself, it felt like she was connecting with the number
33:39like never before, leaving us with chills. The endurance and vitality of her voice were
33:44as spellbinding as ever, especially when she hit the money note.
33:56It was a mesmerizing and beautiful showing that no doubt left audiences blurry-eyed.
34:02Performances like this are why our love for Celine Dion is still alive in our hearts and
34:09minds.
34:18Which performance from the Billboard Music Awards do you think is the most iconic?
34:23Let us know in the comments.
34:31Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo,
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