Swift makes history at Billboard Awards
Taylor Swift had a historic night at the Billboard Music Awards: The pop star is the most decorated artist in the show’s history with 20 wins, beating Garth Brooks’ 19-win record.
She won eight awards Sunday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, including top artist, and also opened the show with the premiere of her action-filled, star-studded music video for “Bad Blood.”
“It’s unbelievable that the fans went out and proved what they proved this year, and that’s the only reason I won eight awards,” Swift said in an interview following her wins.
“Is it eight? Did I win eight awards?” she asked excitedly. “Yeah, sick.”
Swift’s other wins included top female artist and Billboard 200 album for 1989.
Though Swift had an epic opening of the Billboard Awards with her video, Kanye West’s closing off the show was tragic. The rapper was booed in Las Vegas when he performed “All Day” and “Black Skinhead.” The stage was smoky and it was hard to see West at times.
Others had a good night though onstage. Iggy Azalea, Pharrell and Sam Smith — who is recovering from vocal cord surgery — won three awards each.
Van Halen was the night’s first performance and rocked the crowd with its 1984 hit “Panama.” Simple Minds, introduced by Molly Ringwald, performed “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” from The Breakfast Club, which is celebrating 30 years.