Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.
Swift won eight of 11 awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for “Red.” She told the crowd: “You are the longest and best relationship I ever had.”
She also had a colorful performance of her hit “22″ — starting backstage and working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike with help from a dozen background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.
Justin Bieber also performed — twice — and was also a multiple winner with three awards, including top male artist, social artist and the fan-voted milestone award, beating out Swift and Bruno Mars. When accepting the latter — where boos were heard — he alluded to the tumultuous weeks he’s had in the public eye.
“I’m 19 years old; I think I’m doing a pretty good job. And basically from my heart I really just want to say it should really be about the music, it should be about the craft that I’m making. This is not a gimmick,” he said. “I’m an artist and I should be taken seriously and all this other bull should not be spoken.”
Bieber performed with will.i.am and solo when he sang “Take You” in leather pants, a leather vest and a black shirt that had one sleeve, as blue laser lights beamed.
Miguel, too, had a show-stopping performance, though he seemed to kick a fan when he jumped over the crowd while singing his hit “Adorn.” The R&B singer seemed to have landed part of his body on one woman, who walked away, and kicked another, who held her head low.
Maroon 5 and fun. were also nominated for 11 awards and walked away with one win each in pre-telecast announcements. Gotye and Rihanna had the second-most wins with four awards each.
But the awards show, airing live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on ABC, is less about the trophies — which reflect success on the Billboard charts — and more about the performances. Selena Gomez sang her seductive new hit, “Come & Get It,” while Chris Brown danced around the stage to his latest single, “Fine China,” though his voice began to crack during the performance. Duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis also performed their massive hit, “Thrift Shop,” which won top rap song.
“First and foremost, gotta thank Goodwill, gotta thank Value Village,” Macklemore said to laughs.
Mars and his band kicked off the show in silky red suits that matched their silky dance moves, with bright gold disco balls hanging above them during a performance of the upbeat and old-school flavored “Treasure.”
Nicki Minaj won the first award in the live telecast for top rap artist, beating out Drake, Flo Rida, Pitbull and Psy.
“I definitely did not expect this one,” she said, wearing a bright red dress.
She performed “High School” with Lil Wayne and gave the rapper a provocative lap dance onstage.
Prince, who received the icon award, closed the awards show with a melody of his jams in a turquoise and purple ensemble. He sang, dance and rocked on the guitar.
Madonna won top touring artist, dance artist and dance album for “MDNA.”
“Thank you for supporting me for three decades. Without you I truly wouldn’t be here,” she said.
Pitbull made two appearances, one with Jennifer Lopez and another with Christina Aguilera. His hit with Aguilera, “Feel This Moment,” samples A-Ha’s “Take On Me” and Morten Harket came out to sing a line from the song.
Comedian-actor Tracy Morgan was the show’s host, and he dressed as Psy in a bright yellow suit when the rapper-singer was onstage to present an award. They had a dance battle to Psy’s new single, “Gentleman.”
I’m sorry this has taken me so long to upload, but I’ve finally added HQ photos of Taylor at the GRAMMY Awards last Sunday night. Congratulations to Taylor, who won an award for ‘Safe and Sound’!
X103HQ//February 10th – 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center – Arrivals
X53HQ//February 10th – 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center – Inside
X24HQ//February 10th – 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center – Press Room
I’ve added over 150HQ’s of Taylor at the People’s Choice Awards last night. Enjoy!
X126HQ//January 9th – 2013 Peoples Choice Awards in Los Angeles – Arrivals
X47HQ//January 9th – 2013 Peoples Choice Awards in Los Angeles – Inside
Congratulations to Taylor who picked up a People’s Choice Award for ‘Favourite Country Artist’. I’m adding photos to the gallery at the moment, but in the meantime, check out Taylor’s acceptance speech.
The people have spoken.
The 2013 People’s Choice Awards honored the favorite shows, movies and celebs that was chosen directly by the fans. And as with any award show, tonight offered multiple show moments and memories to note. So take a look!
Best Attempt at Being a Superhero: After some tips from Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and the Cullens (do we really have to label the names?), host Kaley Cuoco found her inner superhuman strength to fight the zombies who were dancing “Gangnam Style.”
Worst Tongue-Twister: Unfortunately, those superpowers didn’t help Cuoco when she needed to read the teleprompter. It’s all good, though, she just did a little laugh and started over. No one even noticed…(that’s a lie).
Best Reminder: She’s been in the biz for over 20 years now, and people still love her. Jennifer Aniston beat out Mila Kunis, Emily Blunt, Reese Witherspoon and Cameron Diaz for Best Comedic Actress for her role in Wanderlust. Rachel Green would be so proud!
Flashback Moment: Olivia Munn pulled a Kanye West (kinda) when Taylor Swift—who almost suffered a nip slip with that plunging neckline—was getting her Favorite Country Artist award by continuing to interrupt her acceptance speech. “This always happens to me,” Swift said. Poor thing.
Best Rejection: While introducing Alicia Keys’ performance, actor Shemar Moore revealed that when he first met the singer 10 years ago, he asked her out on a date. Her response? “Look here son, I respect your flirt game, but my man situation is handled.” Daaaaang! Z-snap.
Sweet Moment: The cameras quickly got a glimpse of Swizz Beats and son Egypt rocking out to mommy Keys’ performance. So cute!
Most Thank-Yous in One Speech: You’re welcome, Chris Colfer. The Glee star won Favorite Comedic Actor in a TV Series (along with costar Lea Michele for Favorite Comedic Actress) and said “thank you” nine times. Nine. Yeah, we didn’t mind.
Jennifer Lawrence’s 10 best red carpet looks
Most Interesting Speech: Adam Sandler spent about five hours (not really) letting the audience know some of his favorite things when accepting the award for Favorite Comedic Actor in a Movie. It included Halle Berry, Fiona Apple, People’s Choice audience and sleeping with his “third lower thumb inside dog.”
Best Flexibility: Stars Monica Potter and Anthony Anderson attempted to do a flash mob (while dressed in snazzy, gold attire) but failed. However, all was made up for when the duo went down in the splits. Touché!
Greatest Noobs: The sexy boybanders from The Wanted won their first award ever for Favorite Breakout Artist, and were so incredibly sweet about it, but that’s not the best part. They had promised that they’d sing Ellen DeGeneres a song if they won, so the guys did an a capella version of “Afternoon Delight” (similar to the Anchorman rendition), which was fantastic.
Fun Fact: Another reason to love Jennifer Lawrence? Well, she sweats a lot and admits it. “Oh my gosh, I’m sweating so much I’m gonna drop it [Favorite Movie Actress award]. Oh god, Robert Downey Jr. knows, I sweat all over you…when I shook his hand.” Oh, J.Law.
Best Sexy Slit: Whoa, Ellen Pompeo. That slit on her white gown stopped right before her lady bits. Go ‘head, girlfriend.
Congratulations to Taylor who has been nominated for a Golden Globe award for her ‘Safe and Sound’ song for The Hunger Games Soundtrack.
But, perhaps it was Taylor Swift who got the best birthday present on Thursday when she found her “Hunger Games” track, “Safe and Sound” (featuring the Civil Wars), had been nominated for Best Original Song – Motion Picture. She tweeted, “Best birthday surprise EVER-just found out that Safe&Sound is nominated for a GOLDEN GLOBE!! Thank you @goldenglobes and HFPA! #hungergames.”
Also, check out Taylor’s friends wishing her a happy birthday!
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Taylor Swift, Music News
Did Taylor Swift even leave the stage? Only a few beats after the Red singer accepted the award for Best Country Female at the American Music Awards, she returned to the stage again for an electrified performance of “I Knew You Were Trouble.”
One of the many singles off Red, which was released only three weeks ago and has topped the Billboard charts, “Trouble” displays Swift’s turn to pop music — more specifically, dubstep.
And with a new sound comes a new performance. Gone are the days of somber Grammy performances (check out her VMA performance for proof). Taylor’s going BIG in everything she does — from her album, her big tour and now a big, theatrical performance.
In what seems to be a replay of her “Love Story” music video, Swift descends from a large, winding staircase, masked suitors approaching her from either side. The billowy dress and chandeliers took us back to 2008, but this masquerade party changed from fairy tale to Transylvanian dance party pretty quickly.
Strobes flashed as the dubstep beat dropped and the award-winner shed her long, flowing white dress, revealing a daring red corsette, black tulle skirt and metallic cowboy boots. ” ‘Cause I knew you were trouble when you walked in. Shame on me now,” she sang. But Taylor’s actions didn’t reflect her words. She kicked around her dancers very unashamedly, showing no regrets.
At the end of the song, she pushed her taunted male dancer to the “cold, hard” ground, completing her dark performance. But it wouldn’t be like Swift to leave the stage without beaming at the crowd. With a flash of smile, Taylor left the stage, leaving the chaos behind her.
Canadian pop star Justin Bieber and country-pop darling Taylor Swift were among the early winners at the American Music Awards on Sunday, picking up accolades in the pop and country categories at a live televised awards ceremony.
Bieber, 18, picked up the award for favorite pop/rock male artist, beating out stiff competition from Flo Rida, Pitbull and Usher. The star walked the red carpet with his mother, Pattie Mallette, after his widely reported split from former Disney star and girlfriend Selena Gomez.
“This is for all the haters who thought that maybe I was just here for one or two years, but I feel like I am going to be here for a very long time,” Bieber said on stage, dedicating his win to his mother.
Swift, 22, scored the favorite female country artist award, edging out Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. She thanked her fans in her acceptance speech, saying, “I’m really, really happy right now and that’s all because of you.”
Nicki Minaj picked up the award for favorite rap/hip hop album of the year, with “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” over nominees Drake and newcomer rapper J. Cole.
The American Music Award nominees and winners are voted for by fans online, and the awards are handed out during a live three-hour broadcast featuring performances by artists.
R&B star Usher kicked off the night with an electric performance on a laser-filled stage, followed by Carly Rae Jepsen singing hits including “Call Me Maybe,” while boy band The Wanted, who are up for favorite pop/rock group, donned suits to sing their latest, “I Found You.”
Former “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson belted out a medley of her tracks including “Miss Independent” and “What Doesn’t Kill You,” and pop singer Ke$ha hit the stage in a tribal-themed performance of her latest single “Die Young.”
The awards show, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, treated the audience to some of its greatest moments, including R&B star Beyonce performing “Single Ladies” at the 2008 show and a clip of Michael and Janet Jackson as children accepting an award in 1975.
R&B star Rihanna, 24, and rapper Nicki Minaj, 29, went into Sunday’s show leading with four nods each, battling each other in the favorite pop/rock female artist category.
Rihanna will also face stiff competition from Bieber, Maroon 5, Drake and Katy Perry for the night’s top prize, the coveted artist of the year.
Rihanna wasn’t expected to be at the awards show on Sunday, as she is in Berlin, midway through a seven-day tour across seven cities around the world promoting her upcoming “Unapologetic” album.
The race for new artist of the year will also be tight, as newcomers One Direction, Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen, indie-pop band fun. and rapper J. Cole will compete for the accolade.
Congratulations to Taylor who has been nominated for the following People’s Choice Awards:
1. Favourite Female Artist
2. Favourite Country Artist
3. Favourite Song (We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together)
Be sure to vote for the Taylor HERE. Winners will be revealed at the awards night on January 9th, 2013.
She might only be 22-years-old, but Taylor Swift has inspired an entire generation of music listeners. With her hair in an elegant up-do, the six-time Grammy winner looked positively angelic in a boat-necked white embroidered dress tonight.
The young star was accepting her Generation Award from the Canadian Country Music Awards in Saskatoon. The classy crooner, who’s arguably the most ladylike popstar working today, always manages to look polished in a colourful array of conservative frocks and preppy ensembles. Swift’s latest accolade is a new award honoured to ‘those who have pushed country music forward to new audiences.’
She said: ‘To country radio in Canada and to the music fans in Canada, you guys are the ones who chose to play my songs.’
‘You guys are the ones who chose to buy the albums and sell out the concerts,’ Taylor added to the 11,000-strong crowd in her speech. Taylor was also in Saskatchewan to present the award for female artist of the year, which went to four-time winner Carolyn Dawn.’In Saskatoon for the Canadian Country Music Awards,’ the young superstar tweeted to her 18.4m followers. ‘Drinking a pumpkin spice latte. Just realized 70% of my tweets are food or cat related.’
On Friday night, Taylor debuted her new song Ronan at the third annual Stand Up to Cancer Telethon, and she was seen breaking down in tears after the emotional performance. Ronan was a tribute to a three-year-old boy who lost his battle to neuroblastoma last year.
But the tears were worth it as Ronan and her other song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together currently hold the two top spots of the iTunes top 10 chart. All the proceeds of the song will go to cancer-related charities.
Last week, the country pop star closed the MTV Video Music Awards with We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, which many speculate is about her on/off ex-boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal. The busy star, who’s also been nominated for three Country Music Awards, will next head to Rio de Janeiro for a concert.
Taylor Swift’s been having a major moment of clarity. She’s cutting the cord, she’s moving on, she’s calling the shots, and she’s doing it loudly — she’s doing it big. Like, monster-size stage at Staples Center big, with millions of people watching, at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.
Her appearance Thursday night (September 6) was her fourth time performing at the VMAs (we, like you, really like Taylor Swift), and while she performed her runaway smash single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” (also known as the unequivocally most resolute breakup song ever written) from her upcoming album Red, the subtext here was “no more bullsh–.”
But of course, Taylor wouldn’t put it quite that way. Because she’s Taylor Swift, and her brain works in far cuter and more colorful ways. She doesn’t get mad, she gets even, and she gets adorable. Which is why Taylor’s VMA kiss-off was a mashed-up menagerie of the same furry friends found in her “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” video combined with the esprit de corps of a “Bye Bye Birdie” dance sequence. Because breakups don’t have to be bitter when you can put on a pair of Wayfarers and throw a dance party with your closest — and fuzziest — friends.
There wasn’t a princess frock or sequin, nary a ukulele or pair of cowboy boots in sight when Taylor, turned out in a daring pair of super-short black hot pants and a very Brigitte Bardot Breton-striped shirt (paging Godard!), channeled French new wave Audrey Hepburn and Ann-Margret as she led her dancers (dressed in casual separates worthy of a Gap commercial) in a cheeky, charming, cheerful and sarcastic salute to the single life, air quotes, eye rolls, hair flips and all. And it ended in a stage dive (because the good little country girl’s got a little anti-authority punk in her, after all).
Check out the hottest performer photos from the 2012 VMAs!
It was a performance that threw a wink and a nod to the timelessness of classic girl gangs like the Pink Ladies from “Grease,” with Taylor kicking ass and taking names as the leader of the pack. Because even with a little help from her friends, Taylor Swift still runs things.
Her 2012 VMA performance was goofy, it was geeky, it was girlie — it was gorgeous. In other words, it was everything we love about Taylor Swift.