Music
Adele Dominates Billboard Music Awards
By LaDale Anderson
May 21, 2012 - 12:40:34 PM

HOLLYWOOD-British singer Adele continued her reign of awards royalty at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, May 20 as she took home 12 awards including Top Artist of the Year, Top Female Artist and Top Pop Album for her critical hit “21.”   Other big winners of the night included the group LMFAO who took home six awards including Top Duo/Group and rapper Lil Wayne who took home four awards including Top Male Artist.   The ceremony was televised live from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas by “Modern Family” alums Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen.

Of course, the ceremony was much more about the performances and not the awards.  So many acts took to the stage its exhausting to discuss all of them, but some performances stood out amongst the others.  Chris Brown proved once again that he’s the king of dance and he truly knows how to entertain the audience as he performed a high octane rendition of his hit “Turn Up the Music.”  R&B crooner Usher played a magic trick on audiences during his performance for his song “Scream” as two Usher’s graced the stage.  

Pop sensation Justin Bieber took the stage and performed his new single “Boyfriend.”  Perhaps it was me, but it was one of Bieber’s worst performances.  Watching as a viewer it almost felt as if he was uncomfortable on the stage and his dancing ability is not the best.  Taylor Swift was presented with the Woman of the Year award by “New Girl” star Zooey Deschanel.

The night was a celebration of past musicians as tributes were made to the late Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, Beastie Boy Adam Yauch and Bee Gee member Robin Gibb.  Natasha Bedingfield proved that her voice is a powerhouse as she acknowledged the impact that Summer has had on the industry.  John Legend performed Houston’s hit “The Greatest Love of All;” it was nowhere near Houston’s powerhouse pipes, but a nice tribute to the late singer. 

Joining him onstage to pay tribute was Houston’s co-star in the “Sparkle” remake Jordin Sparks who sang Whitney’s ubiquitous hit “I Will Always Love You.”  She brought the house to its feet and cheers from the crowd were overwhelming. It was emotional to see Whitney’s daughter Bobbi Kristina during the tribute and the love that she received from the crowd while she accepted the Millennium award on her late mother’s behalf was a highlight of the night.

Cee Lo Green had a memorable performance on the stage full of dance sequences and high octane energy that included a sensational dancer from Michael Jackson’s the Immortal World Tour.  Even though the dancer had only one leg he wowed the audience and viewers at home.

Katy Perry performed her new single “Wide Awake” complete with acrobatics, Nelly Furtado returned to the music stage singing “Big Hoops.”  To close the ceremony the telecast paid tribute to music legend Stevie Wonder who was given the Icon Award by Grammy darling Alicia Keys.  The duo sang a string of Wonder’s hits including “Higher Ground.”  Wonder definitely knows how to get the audience to laugh as he took off his shades to try to get a closer look at his award.

This was definitely a much more entertaining telecast than in previous years thanks to some standout performers, hilarious host and a steady pace for the ceremony.  Until next year!