BTS shine at Billboard Music Awards; Taylor Swift glad to ‘feel understood again’
The red-carpet style dial was turned up high for the opening of this event, featuring performances by Janet Jackson and K-pop group BTS, and which paid tribute to victims of recent deadly shootings in the US
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards paid tribute to the students and teachers affected by recent deadly shootings in Texas and Florida, while the night also featured show-stopping performances by iconic singer Janet Jackson and K-pop group BTS.
A tearful and emotional Kelly Clarkson, who hosted the awards, opened the show in honour of the 10 people who died on Friday at Santa Fe High School, barely able to speak as she urged the audience and the world to do more to prevent deadly shootings from happening. She said she was asked to hold a moment of silence, but chose instead to call for “a moment of action”.
“Once again we’re grieving for more kids that have died ... I’m so sick of moment of silences ... it’s not working,” she said on Sunday, almost in tears.
Shawn Mendes and Khalid were joined onstage by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Show Choir for the song “Youth”, a performance occurring three months after 17 people were killed at the school in Parkland, Florida.
Mendes and the choir members wore sweaters that read “Youth”, while Khalid’s shirt read “Protect Our Guns Children” with “Guns” crossed out.
