2020 Billboard Music Awards

2020 Billboard Music Awards
DateOctober 14, 2020 (2020-10-14)
LocationDolby Theatre
Los Angeles, California
Hosted byKelly Clarkson
Most awardsPost Malone (9)
Most nominationsPost Malone (16)
Television/radio coverage
NetworkNBC
Viewership3.71 million[1]
← 2019 · Billboard Music Awards · 2021 →

The 2020 Billboard Music Awards were held on Wednesday October 14, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony was broadcast live from NBC. Hosted by Kelly Clarkson for the third year in a row, the ceremony was sponsored by TikTok and Xfinity. The ceremony was originally scheduled for April 29, 2020, but was later postponed first indefinitely and then to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nominees were announced on September 22, 2020. Voting opened on TikTok on October 1 and closed on October 13. Presenters were announced October 13.

Post Malone was the most awarded, with nine awards.[2] Malone was also the most nominated, with 16 nominations.[3] Garth Brooks and Killer Mike received the Icon Award and the inaugural Change Maker Award, respectively.[4][5]

Background

Kelly Clarkson host the show for the third time

The 2020 ceremony was originally scheduled to be held April 29, 2020, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.[6] Kelly Clarkson was announced as the host. She had previously hosted the 2018 and 2019 ceremonies.[7] On March 17, NBC and Dick Clark Productions issued a joint statement postponing the ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the statement, they stated "[in] accordance with the current guidelines set forth by national and local health officials and in order to ensure the health and safety of our artists, fans, guests and staff, [w]e are postponing the Billboard Music Awards."[7] On August 14 of the same year, the show was rescheduled for October 14.[8] On September 22, the nominees for all categories were announced.[9] The first round of performers were announced September 29. Garth Brooks received the Icon Award, as announced on February 26, 2020; succeeding Mariah Carey, who won the award in 2019.[10][11] Killer Mike received the inaugural Change Maker Award, as announced two days before the ceremony.[12] Voting for fan-voted categories opened on dance video platform TikTok on October 1.[13] TikTok and Xfinity sponsored the ceremony.

Performers

Brandy performed a selection of tracks during the show.
Country music legend Garth Brooks performed a medley of his hits in celebration of receiving the Icon Award.
List of performers and the songs they performed[14]
Performer(s) Song(s)
Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix and Sheila E. "Higher Love"
Sia "Courage to Change"
Kane Brown, Swae Lee, Khalid "Be Like That"
Alicia Keys "Love Looks Better"
Luke Combs "Better Together"
Post Malone and Tyla Yaweh "Circles"
"Tommy Lee"[a]
Brandy "Borderline"
"Almost Doesn't Count"
"No Tomorrow, pt 2." (with Ty Dolla Sign)
John Legend "Never Break"
Bad Bunny, Ivy Queen and Nesi "Yo Perreo Sola"
Doja Cat "Juicy"
"Say So"
"Like That"
Garth Brooks Icon Award Medley:
"The Thunder Rolls"
"Callin' Baton Rouge"
"The River"
"Standing Outside the Fire"
"That Summer"
"Dive Bar"
"Friends in Low Places"
"The Dance"
Saint Jhn "Roses"
Demi Lovato "Commander in Chief"
BTS "Dynamite"[b]
En Vogue "Free Your Mind"

Notes

  • ^[a] Pre-taped at the P.W. Gillibrand Co. Silver Sand quarry in Simi Valley, California.
  • ^[b] Pre-recorded in Seoul, South Korea.

Winners and nominees

Nominees were announced in a series of Twitter statements on September 22, 2020. Post Malone was the most nominated, with 16 nominations, followed by Lil Nas X with 13, and Khalid and Billie Eilish with 12.[9] Voting for the three fan-voted categories, Billboard Chart Achievement, Top Social Artist and Best Collaboration opened on dance-sharing video app TikTok on October 1, 2020,[13] and closed on October 13.[15]

Winners are first and are in bold.[16]

Top Artist Top New Artist Billboard Chart Achievement
(fan-voted)
Top Male Artist Top Female Artist Top Duo/Group
Top Billboard 200 Artist Top Hot 100 Artist Top Streaming Songs Artist
Top Song Sales Artist Top Radio Songs Artist Top Social Artist
(fan-voted)
Top Touring Artist Top R&B Artist Top R&B Male Artist
Top R&B Female Artist Top R&B Tour Top Rap Artist
Top Rap Male Artist Top Rap Female Artist Top Rap Tour
Top Country Artist Top Country Male Artist Top Country Female Artist
Top Country Duo/Group Top Country Tour Top Rock Artist
Top Rock Tour Top Latin Artist Top Dance/Electronic Artist
Top Christian Artist Top Gospel Artist Top Billboard 200 Album
Top Soundtrack Top R&B Album Top Rap Album
Top Country Album Top Rock Album Top Latin Album
Top Dance/Electronic Album Top Christian Album Top Gospel Album
Top Hot 100 Song Top Streaming Song Top Selling Song
Top Radio Song Top Collaboration (fan-voted) Top R&B Song
Top Rap Song Top Country Song Top Rock Song
Top Latin Song Top Dance/Electronic Song Top Christian Song
Top Gospel Song Icon Award Change Maker Award

Presenters

Presenters were announced October 13 in a series of Twitter statements.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Porter, Rick (October 15, 2020). "TV Ratings: Billboard Music Awards Slump". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  2. ^ Atkinson, Katie (October 15, 2020). "2020 Billboard Music Awards Winners: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  3. ^ Aniftos, Rania (September 22, 2020). "Post Malone Leads 2020 Billboard Music Awards Nominations With 16: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  4. ^ Newman, Melinda (October 15, 2020). "Icon Garth Brooks Delivers a Rousing Medley of Hits at 2020 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  5. ^ Grein, Paul (October 12, 2020). "Killer Mike to Receive Billboard Music Awards' First-Ever Change Maker Award". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  6. ^ Kirsten Spruch (December 8, 2019). "The show will air live April 29 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on NBC". Hollywood Reporter.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ a b "2020 Billboard Music Awards Postponed". Billboard Music Awards. March 17, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "The 2020 BBMAs Are Set for Wednesday, October 14". Billboard Music Awards. August 14, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ a b "Nominees Announced for the 2020 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard Music Awards. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "Garth Brooks to Receive Icon Award at the BBMAs". Billboard Music Awards. February 26, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.[dead link]
  11. ^ Slater, Georgia (February 26, 2020). "Garth Brooks Will Receive the Icon Award and Perform at 2020 Billboard Music Awards". People. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  12. ^ @BBMAs (October 12, 2020). "We are thrilled to announce that @KillerMike will be the first ever recipient of the Billboard Change Maker Award, presented by the Mayor of Atlanta @KeishaBottoms, during the 2020 #BBMAs" (Tweet). Retrieved October 12, 2020 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ a b Aniftos, Rania (October 1, 2020). "Voting for 2020 Billboard Music Awards' Fan-Voted Categories Begins Today on TikTok". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ Warner, Denise (October 16, 2020). "Watch the Performances From the 2020 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  15. ^ @BBMAs (October 12, 2020). "Experiencing #VOMO (vote or miss out)? It's not too late! Vote closes TOMORROW. Visit @tiktok_us and search #BBMAsVote to vote!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 12, 2020 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ Nakamura, Reid (October 15, 2020). "2020 Billboard Music Awards: Complete Winners List". TheWrap. Retrieved May 9, 2023.