Stars on Screen
Top of the charts: There are lots of music awards shows out there, but there isn’t another one quite like the Billboard Music Awards. Amongst a sea of awards that recognize excellence in all of music’s countless genres, the Billboard Music Awards stand apart, thanks to the way the winners are chosen.
This year’s ceremony broadcasts live on NBC on Sunday, May 20, with “American Idol” winner and pop superstar Kelly Clarkson serving as host. She’s not up for any awards herself this year, but for the artists who are, the night promises to be one filled with excitement, upsets and delightful surprises.
Unlike other awards shows, the BMAs aren’t decided by any sort of vote — the winners are entirely chosen by the music that people are actually listening to. Billboard pulls in all sorts of data points, including radio airplay, physical album and digital sales, streaming numbers and even the tours and social engagements of the musicians to determine the winners.
Of course, it isn’t just about the actual awards.Any music awards show worth its salt also features actual music, and the big buzz this year surrounds Korean pop band and global sensation BTS, which is debuting an all-new single on stage.
One hotly contested category to keep an eye on this year is Top New Artist, with Khalid, 21 Savage, Cardi B, Camila Cabello and Kodak Black all up for this year’s award. With eight nominations to her name, tying her with favorite Justin Bieber, “Bodak Yellow” singer Cardi B is the one to beat among the up-and-coming new artists.
When it comes to the sheer number of nominations, though, “Humble” singer Kendrick Lamar and “Shape of You” singer Ed Sheeran share a spot at the top of the heap with a whopping 15 nominations each. Both are industry and audience favorites, and Lamar’s album “Damn” already earned the distinction this year of being awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Music — the first non-jazz and non-classical album to ever have done so.
Of course, nominations don’t necessarily translate into wins, and the rest of the nominated artists aren’t any less talented. Rapper Post Malone isn’t far behind in the numbers game with 13 nominations to his name, followed closely by Imagine Dragons with 11; Justin Bieber and Cardi B with eight; and Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee with seven.
It’s a night packed with awards, music and celebrity, and it’s all happening on NBC on Sunday, May 20, with the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.
Medical success story: How’s this for a distinction? ABC recently renewed “Grey’s Anatomy” for a 15th season, which officially makes it the longest-ever prime-time drama on the network. It’s one heck of an accomplishment, tying it with “ER” for the status of TV’s longest-running medical drama ever.
The renewal doesn’t come as much of a surprise, since series star Ellen Pompeo, who plays Dr. Meredith Grey and has been with the series since the beginning, already had a deal in place for two more seasons — a deal that makes her TV’s highest-earning actress in a drama.
“‘Grey’s Anatomy’ has a special place in my heart and millions of viewers feel the same way,” ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey said in a statement. “Thanks to fiercely loyal fans who have been on this journey since the beginning, and new generations of viewers who continue to discover the joy and drama of Grey Sloan Memorial, the show is as strong as ever.”
The 14th season of “Grey’s Anatomy” just wrapped up, but work on the record-setting 15th has already begun.