AWARDS ceremonies used to be the must-have ticket.
Star guests would spend hours in hair and make-up, preening themselves to perfection or getting into the most headline- grabbing look possible.
14
14
But sadly the Billboard Music Awards — hosted by rapper P Diddy — was the latest event to fall victim to no-shows.
Olivia Rodrigo and Kanye West cleaned up at the event in Las Vegas yesterday, though sadly neither was there.
While Olivia is travelling North America with her Sour tour, Kanye appeared to have had other plans.
Thanks to her 2021 album that gave its name to her live shows, Olivia bagged seven gongs during the evening, including Top New Artist and Top Hot 100 Artist.
Kanye, who has a top-selling line of trainers called Yeezy, won the Top Christian Artist award as well as Top Gospel and Top Gospel song for a third year in a row.
His album Donda, a No1 here, also saw him land Top Gospel Album for the second time.
Sir Elton John won his first ever dance track award in a career spanning five decades thanks to mega-hit Cold Heart, which was crowned Top Dance/Electronic song.
Elton was not there either, but in an acceptance speech he praised collaborator Dua Lipa and hinted he may drop more club bangers.
Most read in Bizarre
He said: “I am thrilled. There might even be another one!”
The gong was also Dua’s first Billboard award and guess what, she wasn’t there either as she is on her Future Nostalgia Tour.
It’s a good job Cara Delevingne and Megan Fox showed up and Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat and Kylie Jenner were on hand to provide a much-needed shot in the arm of weird and wonderful outfits.
Doja opted for a black gown scooped so low it exposed her sparkling nipple pasties.
But that wasn’t the most unusual part of her outfit.
The Kiss Me More rapper, who won four awards, sported freaky golden shoes that resembled feet, complete with painted toes.
Megan stuck to the theory that less is more for her stage costume.
She performed her explicit Dua collaboration Sweetest Pie in a bodysuit that was so slashed she resembled an Ann Summers advert.
Dressed in a quirky tux, music legend Janet Jackson made a surprise appearance to honour Mary J. Blige with the evening’s Icon Award.
Mary said: “What an icon means to me is overcoming obstacles to accomplish the unthinkable.
“I’ve been on this journey for a long time. One that was filled with a lot of heartache and pain.
“But God helped me to channel those experiences and emotions into my music.”
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
Bizbit
MICHAEL JACKSON’s estate will celebrate the 40th anniversary of his album Thriller, the biggest-selling LP of all time, by re-releasing it with never-before-heard songs.
Called Michael Jackson Thriller 40, it will be available on Nov- ember 18.
To date, the original album has sold more than 100million copies worldwide.
CON ON FOR SAM COLLAB
FORMER Eurovision champ Conchita Wurst is hoping he can work with our UK hero Sam Ryder following his incredible second-place finish on Saturday.
Conchita who won with Rise Like A Phoenix for Austria in 2014, teamed up with Sam before the contest to perform a cover and now he wants a full collaboration.
14
14
On the possibility of them working together, Conchita told Bizarre: “Are you kidding me?
“Have you heard us singing Celine Dion? Yes!”
He added at booking.com’s Music Retreat in host city Turin, Italy: “I would not dare to give Sam Ryder any tips.
“He is so good, he is so talented.
“He has got the most prominent fan base ever – Alicia Keys, Justin Bieber… wow.”
