'I feel very lucky to be up here!': Rihanna puts on an eye-popping performance in green fur before taking home coveted fan-voted gong at 2016 Billboard Music Awards
- The 28-year-old Barbadian beauty took home the fan-voted prize after performing Love On The Brain
- The Weeknd took home eight gongs as he had the most nominations with 16
- Adele won the biggest prize of the night, Top Artist, despite not being in attendance along with four others
- Justin Bieber took home two awards including Top Male Artist
- Kesha performed a Bob Dylan tribute despite controversy whether she would get approval from Dr. Luke
- Madonna closed the show out with a tribute to Prince as she brought out surprise guest Stevie Wonder
She is known for always topping the charts with her hit songs.
And now Rihanna has the proper hardware to showcase her ability to stay on top.
The 28-year-old singer was given one of the highest-honours of the night at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday night.
The Work hitmaker was presented with the fan-voted Billboard Chart Achievement Award as she thanked her fanbase first and foremost as she said: 'I have to thank, obviously, my fans.
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Big night: Rihanna took home the Billboard Chart Achievement Award at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday night
Va va voom: Earlier in the evening, the singer upped the sex appeal as she showed off her cleavage during a performance
'My fans and also my supporters, people that probably haven't been fans over the years but are inspired by the music and the work and the art that I do and make. Thank you guys for being so supportive. Billboard thank you so much, we've had an incredible relationship so far all these years. I'm blessed and feel very lucky to be up here receiving this award right now so thank you guys.'
She looked absolutely stunning in a green sheer zebra-patterned maxi dress while accepting the prize from Frozen star Idina Menzel.
Earlier in the evening, Rihanna stunned as she took an old school approach while performing new single Love On The Brain. She looked great in a black off-the-shoulder number with a mint green fur draped across her shoulders.
Grateful: The 28-year-old singer thanked her fans first as their votes put her over the top
Ecstatic: She began by saying: 'My fans and also my supporters, people that probably haven't been fans over the years but are inspired by the music and the work and the art that I do and make'
Reach "it-girl" status like Jessica in Stuart Weitzman
Thank you Jessica Alba for adding some edge to a rather unremarkable night for fashion at the 2016 Billboard Awards.
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An Oriental-inspired updo and a smokey eye completed her edgy look to perfection.
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Considering the amount of wear you'll get out of them we think they are totally worth the $798 price tag, but you could get the look for less with our edit below too.
Surprise! Rihanna seemed like she did not expect the honour as her name was called
Lovely ladies: Idina Menzel presented Rihanna with the award as they posed together backstage after the presentation
Her brunette tresses featuring fringe were worn down flowing just above her shoulders a she sported natural, complimentary make-up on her face.
Earlier in the night Justin Bieber and The Weeknd were battling out for some of the top honours of the night.
The two talented singers each took home some of the most coveted gongs at theThe 22-year-old What Do U Mean hitmaker won the Top Male Artist prize as the 26-year-old The Hills singer - real name Abel Tesfaye - was presented with Top Hot 100 Artist.
The Weeknd struck first with the very first award of the night presented by Heidi Klum and Michael Strahan and instead of focusing on himself he dedicated the big win to Prince, who passed away last month
He said: 'Thank you. I want to dedicate the award to the late, great Prince. Rest in peace. I was told not long ago that his last TV appearance, he had given me award and that was the greatest experience of my entire life and I love him so much.
'I didn't know him but he was so close to me and he will always be an inspiration and of course helped me push the envelope and every artist I hope. Rest in peace, Prince, I love you. Thank you.'
Retro chic: Earlier in the night Rihanna performed new single Love On The Brain
Going green: The performance had a very retro feel as she stood in front of a green-lit backdrop
Keeping warm: She had a green fur draped over her shoulders and tied up in front over her chest
Looking good: She sported a black suit along with matching leather heels
Going down: The ripped cloth backdrop was eventually brought down
Throwback: The performance definitely had a retro feel to it
Wow factor: She gave an eyeful too the audience as she bowed
Stunning: She looked beautiful as always as her brunette tresses with a bit a fringe were worn down
Pleased: Rihanna looked in good spirits as she beamed backstage after the performance
The Weeknd topped the list of nominees at this year's award show with nods in 16 categories and ultimately came home with the most as he won eight.
He was up for other awards including Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album and Top R&B Album.
The singer also has three tracks in the Top R&B song shortlist category and has been nominated twice for Top Hot 100 Song. He was ultimately bested by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth for See You Again.
The Weeknd did eventually get the upper-hand on Bieber as he won Top R&B Song for The Hills as he thanked his team, lawyer and fans. He took home the most awards of the night with eight.
Man with the plan: The Weeknd looked proud as he took home eight awards for most of the night
Big wins: The 26-year-old hitmaker started off the night right as he took home the first televised award: Top Hot 100 Artist
Partners in crime: Heidi Klum and Michael Strahan were the first presenters of the night
Proud moment: The Weeknd look grateful as he was given the award by the German-born supermodel
What a moment: The 26-year-old hitmaker - real name Abel Tesfaye - dedicated the win to the late Prince, as he shared that the Purple Rain hitmaker gave him the Favorite Soul/R&B Album at his last appearance at the American Music Awards back in November
Honoured: The Weeknd also won for Top R&B Song for The Hills as he was greeted with a hug from Wiz Khalifa
Having a blast: He was later pictured with Meghan Trainor
Justin was nominated 12 times in 11 categories, Drake and Fetty Wap had received 11 nods each in 10 categories, while Taylor Swift and Adele were both finalists for eight awards.
The 22-year-old singer Bieber was a big winner as he won the coveted Top Male Artist prize and accepted it from Jessica Alba before saying: 'I'm not really a talker but I just wanted to thank those who believed in me.'
Earlier in the night he performed his new single Company followed by Sorry after being introduced by DJ Khaled.
Adele was the biggest winner despite not being in attendance as she won Top Artist along with four others.
The 28-year-old singer was not in attendance but did record a few videos while accepting her new trophies and even debuted a new music video for Send My Love (To Your New Lover).
Britney Spears kicked off the event with a high-energy medley of several of her hits while dressed in a skimpy red outfit.
She began the dance-heavy performance with Work B**** and played several of her most-known tracks including Womanizer and Joan Jett cover I Love Rock N Roll before concluding with Toxic.
Lonely at the top: Justin won the coveted Top Male Artist prize as he proudly held it up and thanked his fans
Eyes on the prize: He was presented the gong by Jessica Alba
Moving and grooving: Justin Bieber was one of the most highly-touted performers of the night
Doing what he does best: The 22-year-old hitmaker performed new single Company
Stunner: The 35-year-old actress looked fantastic in a lacy long-sleeved dress with her brunette tresses done up in a bun
Golden: Adele was the biggest winner despite not being in attendance as she won Top Artist along with four others
Big night: The 28-year-old hitmaker also premiered her music video for Send My Love (To Your New Lover) at the event
The evening, which was packed with top tier acts like Madonna and Rihanna, was co-hosted by Ciara and Ludacris.
The 38-year-old rapper and 30-year-old singer had a bit of fun during their monologue as they joked about the Billboard Awards nominating black artists unlike the Oscars, Ludacris starring in several Fast And The Furious films and Ciara's engagement to NFL superstar Russell Wilson.
Bachelorette Jojo Fletcher was a presenter as she introduced Canadian singer Shawn Mendes before he played a stripped down version of his his Stitches.
David Bowie, who died in January, received a posthumous nomination for his final album Blackstar.
He competed against Coldplay's A Head Full Of Dreams, Mumford & Sons' Wilder Mind, Alabama Shakes' Sound & Colour and twenty one pilots' Blurryface for Top Rock Album and was ultimately bested by twenty one pilots.
Putting in work: Britney Spears opened up the award show with a medley of her hits
Scintillating: She began the dance-heavy performance with Work B**** and played several of her most-known tracks including Womanizer and Joan Jett cover I Love Rock N Roll before concluding with Toxic
Wow factor: The 34-year-old singer kept the sexy looks going as she was seen backstage in a revealing two-piece sparkling blue number
Honoured: She was presented with the third ever Millennium Award, which has been previously given to the likes of Whitney Houston and Beyonce
One Direction - who are currently on an indefinite hiatus - received only two nods; Best Group/Duo and Best Touring Act, with their album Made in the AM, failing to pick up any nominations. They did win the Best Group/Duo gong.
Meanwhile, the Material Girl will paid tribute to The Purple One with a live performance as Madonna started out by performing Nothing Compares 2 U as photos and videos of Prince were projected behind her.
The 57-year-old rocked a purple sequined get-up as she brought out surprise guest Stevie Wonder as they concluded with Prince's biggest hit Purple Rain.
At the end of the performance, which was met with plenty of criticism on social media, Madonna said: 'Most of all, thank you Prince Rogers Nelson for all that you've given us.'
Prince was found dead on April 21 in his suburban Minneapolis home at age 57. And Madonna continued the train of celebrity homages to the beloved musician.
Prince performed at the 2013 Billboard Awards, where he received the icon award.
Dynamic duo: Ciara and Ludacris were the hosts of the show
Awkward: Ciara sung and dance The Weeknd's hit Can't Feel My Face during the monologue
Costume change: Later on in the evening, Ciara slipped into something a bit more shimmery as she presented
Hostess with the mostess: The 30-year-old singer sported several stunning looks throughout the evening
The icons had collaborated on Love Song in 1989 and Madonna was met with criticism online when Billboard announced she would be the one to pay homage to the Little Red Corvette hitmaker. Some felt she should not do the tribute alone, and others said a black artist should be involved.
'All of us live in the land of music and his departure was an earthquake,' Roots drummer Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson said before the performance. 'I just want to take a moment to remember the great Prince Rogers Nelson.'
After several days of wondering whether or not Kesha would be able to take the stage at the award show, she was able to take the stage on Sunday night for an emotional performance dedicated to Bob Dylan. She played an acoustic version of his hit It Ain't Me Babe.
She stood still in a cream suit and was backed by a pianist and violinist, hitting all the right notes and growing teary-eyed near the end which earned her a standing ovation.
Hot mesh: Demi Lovato performed her hit Cool For The Summer
Clearly talented: The 23-year-old singer sported a see-through mesh top over a black bikini top and matching high-waisted shorts
Seductive: Nick Jonaas performed close with Tove Lo
Intimate: At one point the two singers moved in close like they were going to kiss
Lovely: Ariana Grande performed Dangerous Woman then went into another song titled Into You
Back in black: The 22-year-old singer passed on her usual look of thigh-high boots and instead wore a black croptop with matching trousers
Belle of the ball: She was surrounded by several of her male dancers during the performance
Loved up: Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani performed Go Ahead And Break My Heart
Sweet moment: The happy couple finished off the performance with a hug
Dick Clark Productions said in a statement earlier in the week that Kesha initially accepted its invitation to perform at the show and 'received written approval from Dr. Luke's record label, Kemosabe Records.' But the label 'rescinded its approval following a media report on Wednesday May 11th,' the statement continued.
Dr. Luke and Kesha have been at war since she accused of him of drugging, sexually abusing and emotionally tormenting her. She is signed to his record label and they co-wrote many of her hits together, including Tik Tok and We R Who We R. The New York Daily News reported that she planned to take swipes at Dr. Luke during her performance.
Representatives for Dr. Luke and Kesha did not immediately respond to requests for comment but she was ultimately granted permission to perform.
Kesha has accused Dr Luke of sexually abusing her. The producer has denied all allegations.
Icon on icon: Madonna closed out the award ceremony with a performance paying homage to her friend Prince
Talented: Stevie Wonder joined her on-stage as a surprise guest
Dearly beloved: She wore a shiny purple suit inspired by the late singer
Purple Rain: Prince's logo was projected over the two superstar performers
Inspired: Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson introduced the performance
Touching: Kesha performed a tribute to Bob Dylan despite controversy surrounding if she would even be able to do the gig or not
Happy: Kesha looked happy to receive the standing ovation in her first television performance
Hitting the high notes: Celine Dion received the Icon award and performed a touching tribute to her brother and husband who died within the same week just months ago
Triumphant: She wowed the crowd as she performed Queen's The Show Must Go On
Aww: She was surprised by her son Rene Charles Angelil who presented her with the gong
Inspiration: The 48-year-old actress held onto the hand of her son
Still got the beat: The Go-Gos performed just weeks ahead of their farewell tour
Another emotional moment came when Celine Dion was presented the Icon Award by Seal.
After losing her brother and husband the same week just a few months ago, the 48-year-old put on a rousing performance of Queen's The Show Must Go On but there was not a dry eye in the house as her son René-Charles Angelil came out to give his mom the coveted trophy.
She said to her son: 'I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for crying. I want to be so strong for my family and kids ... I don't want to cry in front of you.'
Pink also impressed with her performance — featuring her signature high-flying moves — while she sang her new song, Just Like Fire.
Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, rapper Wiz Khalifa, pop singer Charlie Puth and the bands twenty one pilots, Walk the Moon and Hillsong UNITED also won multiple awards.
In a surprise win, Meek Mill's Dreams Worth More Than Money won top rap album, beating Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly, Dr. Dre's Compton, Drake's If You're Reading This It's Too Late and Drake and Future's collaborative album, What a Time to Be Alive.
Congrats: Ashton Kutcher presented an award to Wiz Khalifa
Big win: The 28-year-old hitmaker accepted the Top Hot 100 Award at the event
All about that bass: Meghan Trainor performed her hit No
Tough act to follow: Pink showed her daredevil side with a performance that saw her suspended in the air by a burning clock
Doing what he does best: Joe Jonas performed hit Cake By The Ocean with his band DNCE
Doing what they do best: Fifth Harmony performed Work From Home featuring Ty Dolla $ign
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