Taylor Swift shines bright as she performs new single ME! at Billboard Awards... but fans accuse her of copying Beyonce's use of a marching band
Taylor Swift amazed the audience at the MGM Grand Las Vegas with a performance of her new single ME! at the Billboard Awards Wednesday night - but not without a hint of controversy.
The 29-year-old singer-songwriter took to the stage with Panic! At the Disco's Brendon Urie, 32, to deliver a live rendition of the hot new single, the video for which she released last week, though her use of a marching band in the elaborate stage number had some social media users saying she'd blatantly ripped off the element from Beyonce.
The Shake It Off artist held nothing back in her outing on the stage, which was decked out with in gradient pastel colors, visually-exhilarating fireworks and backup dancers who cascaded down from the ceiling holding umbrellas.
Dancers with suits and briefcases flanked a catwalk on the stage at the Sin City venue, while Swift was hearkened to the stage by a band of drummers clad in pink - which fans said was an element heavily lifted from Beyonce's outing last year at the Coachella Music Festival.
Making a splash: Taylor Swift, 29, amazed the audience at the MGM Grand Las Vegas with a performance of her new single ME! at the Billboard Awards Wednesday night, but her use of a marching band in the elaborate stage number had some social media users saying she'd blatantly ripped off the element from Beyonce
One user wrote, 'Someone kindly tell Taylor Swift, she will never be Beyoncé. Please stop biting... it’s embarrassing,' while another wrote, 'I see Taylor Swift is doing the Great Value Version of Beyoncé’s Homecoming #BBMAs.
Others flooded the site with memes and gifs, one calling back to when Kanye West interrupted her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards after Swift captured the Best Female Video award over Beyonce. The user quoted West in saying, 'Taylor, imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had the best drum line of all time.'
Beyonce utilized the marching band in a critically-acclaimed set at Coachella, which fans dubbed Beychella as a testament to the singer stealing the show at the annual desert music festival. Swift has past faced allegations of copying elements of Beyonce's work, as the choreography seen in her video for 2017's Look What You Made Me Do was closely compared to Beyonce's 2016 clip for Formation.
The beat goes on: Beyonce utilized the marching band in a critically-acclaimed set at the Coachella Music Festival in 2018
The Grammy-winner told Entertainment Weekly prior to the performance that she'd planned 'a fun explosion of glitter, pastel colors, and people flying through the air,' in lockstep with the video.
'It’s pretty much carrying out the landscape of the music video into the MGM Grand Las Vegas,' said Swift, who notched a VEVO record Friday after the newly-released video for the track was streamed in excess of 65 million times.
She told the magazine that there was 'absolutely' inside references to the name of the her next album, adding, 'Always keep an eye out.'
Flooded: Twitter was full of opinions on Swift's use of a marching band in her set
Coming soon: ME! marks the initial single of what's sure to be a top-selling album from the popular singer
Stunning: The trend-setting songstress beamed as she performed her new single
Shaking it off: Swift has past faced allegations of copying elements of Beyonce's work, as the choreography seen in her video for 2017's Look What You Made Me Do was closely compared to Beyonce's 2016 clip for Formation
Colorful: The Grammy-winning entertainer was flanked by dancers in light colors
Keeping the beat: A band of drummers clad in pink serenaded the crowd amid the energetic performance
Top of the world: The singer took to the stage with Panic! At the Disco's Brendon Urie, 32, as the pair sat in a moving cart with umbrella on top
Back-to-back: Swift and Urie serenaded the crowd with the upbeat single, which has already broken streaming records
Grand: The new single is the first Swift has come out with since her 2017 album Reputation
Spectacle: A combination of dancers, fireworks and colors made for an amazing sight
Swift earlier walked the red carpet at the venue in a ruffled lilac dress, which matched her pastel-laden performance.
The marketing-savvy songstress began promoting the hot new single last week in her native Nashville with a street art mural promoting the single.
She subsequently promoted the tune in an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts during NFL draft coverage.
Focused: Swift held a clear parasol while Urie made a prayer gesture during the performance
Electric: The chemistry between the vocalists sizzled amid the energetic outing
Raising the bar: Swift blended music and art in the breathtaking performance
She said the single 'is a song about embracing your individuality, and really celebrating it, and owning it.
'With a pop song we have the ability to get a melody stuck in people’s heads and I just want it to be one that makes them feel better about themselves.'
Swift, who did not release any new music in 2018, told Roberts she 'can’t believe how much [her fans] care,' and seeks to cater to them ahead of time with teasers.
'It makes it more fun for me to create music videos knowing they’ll care about little Easter Eggs or clues or hints.'
Jump jump: A dance routine during the number saw the performers hopping
Embracing: Swift said the single 'is a song about embracing your individuality, and really celebrating it, and owning it'
Performance: The pop star and singer beamed as they delivered a rendition of the hit single
Effects: Confetti rained down on the stage at the MGM Grand amid the outing
Calm before the storm: Swift and Urie were snapped prior to taking the stage at the show
Celebrity: The A-list pop stay hit poses for photographers as she took to the red carpet at the event
Icon: The entertainer remains at the forefront of music, fashion and pop culture in her endeavors
Stylish: Swift earlier walked the red carpet at the venue in a ruffled lilac dress, which matched her pastel-laden performance
Double trouble: Taylor chat with Halsey, who was clad in black studded leather, in the audience
Terrific trio: Halsey, Swift and Jennifer Hudson beamed as they were snapped sitting together at the show
Refreshing: The singer looked jubilant as she held a bottle of water backstage at the show
2019 Billboard Awards Winners
ARTIST AWARDS
TOP ARTIST
Cardi B
Drake - WINNER
Ariana Grande
Post Malone
Travis Scott
Drake was a big winner at the awards
BILLBOARD CHART ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dan + Shay
Drake
Ariana Grande - WINNER
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
Dua Lipa
TOP FEMALE ARTIST
Cardi B
Ariana Grande - WINNER
Halsey
Ella Mai
Taylor Swift
TOP BILLBOARD 200 ARTIST
Drake - WINNER
Ariana Grande
Post Malone
Travis Scott
XXXTentacion
TOP STREAMING SONGS ARTIST
Cardi B
Drake - WINNER
Ariana Grande
Post Malone
XXXTentacion
Though Swift didn't have an album this year, she competed for two honors
TOP RADIO SONGS ARTIST
Cardi B
Drake - WINNER
Ariana Grande
Maroon 5
Post Malone
TOP TOURING ARTIST
Beyoncé & JAY-Z
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran - WINNER
Taylor Swift
Justin Timberlake
TOP R&B MALE ARTIST
Khalid
The Weeknd - WINNER
XXXTentacion
Top R&B Female Artist
H.E.R.
Ella Mai - WINNER
Queen Naija
TOP RAP MALE ARTIST
Drake - WINNER
Post Malone
Travis Scott
TOP RAP TOUR
Beyoncé & JAY-Z - WINNER
Drake
Travis Scott
TOP COUNTRY ARTIST
Jason Aldean
Kane Brown
Luke Combs - WINNER
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Imagine Dragons won top Rock Artist
TOP COUNTRY DUO/GROUP
Dan + Shay - WINNER
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion
TOP ROCK ARTIST
Imagine Dragons - WINNER
Lovelytheband
Panic! At The Disco
Queen
Twenty One Pilots
TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST
Calvin Harris
Kygo
Marshmello
Odesza
The Chainsmokers - WINNER
TOP GOSPEL ARTIST
Kirk Franklin
Koryn Hawthorne
Tori Kelly
Tasha Cobbs Leonard - WINNER
Marvin Sapp
ALBUM AWARDS
TOP BILLBOARD 200 ALBUM
Cardi B 'Invasion of Privacy'
Drake 'Scorpion' - WINNER
Post Malone 'beerbongs & bentleys'
Travis Scott 'ASTROWORLD'
XXXTentacion '?'
TOP R&B ALBUM
H.E.R. 'H.E.R.'
Ella Mai 'Ella Mai'
Khalid 'American Teen'
The Weeknd 'My Dear Melancholy,'
XXXTentacion '17' - WINNER
TOP COUNTRY ALBUM
Jason Aldean 'Rearview Town'
Kane Brown 'Kane Brown'
Luke Combs 'This One's For You' - WINNER
Dan + Shay 'Dan + Shay'
Carrie Underwood 'Cry Pretty'
TOP LATIN ALBUM
Anuel AA 'Real Hasta la Muerte'
Bad Bunny 'X 100PRE'
J Balvin 'Vibras'
Maluma 'F.A.M.E.'
Ozuna 'Aura' - WINNER
Panic! At The Disco won Top Rock Album
TOP CHRISTIAN ALBUM
Cory Asbury 'Reckless Love'
Lauren Daigle 'Look Up Child'- WINNER
For King & Country 'Burn The Ships'
Hillsong Worship 'There Is More'
Zach Williams 'Chain Breaker'
SONG AWARDS
TOP HOT 100 SONG
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin 'I Like It'
Juice Wrld 'Lucid Dreams'
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B 'Girls Like You' - WINNER
Post Malone 'Better Now'
Travis Scott 'SICKO MODE'
TOP STREAMING SONG (Video)
Drake 'In My Feelings' - WINNER
Juice Wrld 'Lucid Dreams'
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B 'Girls Like You'
Travis Scott 'SICKO MODE'
XXXTentacion 'SAD!'
TOP RADIO SONG
Khalid & Normani 'Love Lies'
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B 'Girls Like You' - WINNER
Post Malone 'Better Now'
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line 'Meant to Be'
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey 'The Middle'
Halsey is a performer and nominee
TOP R&B SONG
DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper & Quavo 'No Brainer'
Ella Mai 'Boo'd Up' - WINNER
Ella Mai 'Trip'
Khalid 'Better'
Lil Dicky ft. Chris Brown 'Freaky Friday'
TOP COUNTRY SONG
Kane Brown 'Heaven'
Luke Combs 'She Got the Best of Me'
Dan + Shay 'Speechless'
Dan + Shay 'Tequila'
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line 'Meant to Be' - WINNER
Drake took home a whopping 12 trophies
TOP LATIN SONG
Bad Bunny ft. Drake 'Mia'
Daddy Yankee 'Dura'
DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B 'Taki Taki'
Nicky Jam & J Balvin 'X'
Casper Magico, Nio Garcia, Darell, Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny & Ozuna 'Te Bote' - WINNER
TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC SONG
DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B 'Taki Taki'
Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa 'One Kiss'
Marshmello & Bastille 'Happier'
Tiësto & Dzeko ft. Preme & Post Malone 'Jackie Chan'
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey 'The Middle' - WINNER
TOP NEW ARTIST
Bazzi
Juice Wrld - WINNER
Lil Baby
Dua Lipa
Ella Mai
TOP MALE ARTIST
Drake - WINNER
Post Malone
Travis Scott
Ed Sheeran
XXXTentacion
TOP DUO/GROUP
BTS - WINNER
Dan + Shay
Imagine Dragons
Maroon 5
Panic! At The Disco
TOP HOT 100 ARTIST
Cardi B
Drake - WINNER
Ariana Grande
Juice Wrld
Post Malone
K-pop favorites BTS performed
TOP SONG SALES ARTIST
Drake - WINNER
Ariana Grande
Imagine Dragons
Lady Gaga
Post Malone
TOP SOCIAL ARTIST
BTS - WINNER
EXO
GOT7
Ariana Grande
Louis Tomlinson
TOP R&B ARTIST
H.E.R.
Khalid
Ella Mai - WINNER
The Weeknd
XXXTentacion
TOP RAP ARTIST
Cardi B
Drake
Juice Wrld
Post Malone
Travis Scott
Cardi B was Top Rap Female, in addition to her five other honors
TOP R&B TOUR
Beyoncé & JAY-Z - WINNER
Childish Gambino
Bruno Mars
TOP RAP FEMALE ARTIST
Cardi B - WINNER
City Girls
Nicki Minaj
TOP COUNTRY MALE ARTIST
Jason Aldean
Kane Brown
Luke Combs - WINNER
TOP COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood - WINNER
TOP COUNTRY TOUR
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney - WINNER
Shania Twain
TOP ROCK TOUR
Elton John - WINNER
The Rolling Stones
U2
TOP LATIN ARTIST
Anuel AA
Bad Bunny
J Balvin
Ozuna - WINNER
Romeo Santos
TOP CHRISTIAN ARTIST
Cory Asbury
Lauren Daigle - WINNER
For King & Country
Hillsong Worship
MercyMe
TOP SOUNDTRACK
'13 Reasons Why: Season 2'
'A Star is Born' by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen
'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'
'The Greatest Showman' - WINNER
The late XXXTentacion won Top R&B
TOP RAP ALBUM
Cardi B 'Invasion of Privacy'
Drake 'Scorpion' - WINNER
Post Malone 'beerbongs & bentleys'
Travis Scott 'ASTROWORLD'
XXXTentacion '?'
TOP ROCK ALBUM
Dave Matthews Band 'Come Tomorrow'
Imagine Dragons 'Origins'
Mumford & Sons 'Delta'
Panic! At This Disco 'Pray For The Wicked' - WINNER
Twenty One Pilots 'Trench'
TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM
Clean Bandit 'What Is Love?'
David Guetta '7'
Kygo 'Kids in Love'
Major Lazer 'Major Lazer Essentials'
The Chainsmokers 'Sick Boy' - WINNER
TOP GOSPEL ALBUM
Snoop Dogg & Various Artists 'Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love'
Aretha Franklin 'Gospel Greats'
Koryn Hawthorne 'Unstoppable'
Tori Kelly 'Hiding Place' - WINNER
Jonathan McReynolds 'Make Room'
Tori Kelly was nominated for in the three top Gospel categories
TOPS STREAMING SONG (Audio)
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin 'I Like It'
Juice Wrld 'Lucid Dreams'
Post Malone 'Better Now'
Travis Scott 'SICKO MODE' - WINNER
XXXTentacion 'SAD!'
TOP SELLING SONG
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin 'I Like It'
Drake 'In My Feelings'
Halsey 'Without Me'
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper 'Shallow'
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B 'Girls Like You'- WINNER
TOP COLLABORATION
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin 'I Like It'
Khalid & Normani 'Love Lies'
Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B 'Girls Like You'
Marshmello & Bastille 'Happier'
Post Malone ft. Ty Dolla $ign 'Psycho'
TOP RAP SONG
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin 'I Like It' - WINNER
Drake 'In My Feelings'
Juice Wrld 'Lucid Dreams'
Post Malone 'Better Now'
Travis Scott 'SICKO MODE'
TOP ROCK SONG
Foster The People 'Sit Next to Me'
Imagine Dragons 'Natural'
Imagine Dragons 'Whatever It Takes'
Lovelytheband 'broken'
Panic! At The Disco 'High Hopes' - WINNER
TOP CHRISTIAN SONG
Cory Asbury 'Reckless Love'
Lauren Daigle 'You Say' - WINNER
For King & Country 'joy.'
Hillsong Worship 'Who You Say I Am'
Tauren Wells 'Known'
TOP GOSPEL SONG
Todd Dulaney 'Your Great Name'
Koryn Hawthorne 'Won't He Do It' - WINNER
Tori Kelly ft. Kirk Franklin 'Never Alone'
Jason Nelson 'Forever'
Brian Courtney Wilson 'A Great Work'
Dan + Shay are up for six awards at the event
If so then didn¿t Beyonce steal the marching band ...
by Kombucha 378