USA TODAY International Edition
Billboard Awards are full of goodies for music fans
Ready for an exclusive backstage pass to the Billboard Music Awards Sunday night ( ABC, 8 p. m. ET/ 5 PT)? This year’s BBMAs, hosted by Ludacris and Vanessa Hudgens, will air live coast- to- coast from Las Vegas, with a packed three- hour show featuring p
SECRET NO. 1
Nicki Minaj is opening the show! Minaj is planning a massive performance that celebrates her chart- topping career, and she won’t be alone: she’s invited Lil Wayne, David Guetta and Jason Derulo out with her to perform a medley of her hits. “She’s opening the show as a way of honoring a great achievement she had on the Billboard charts this year,” says Bracco, noting Minaj recently topped Aretha Franklin’s longstanding record for female artist charting the most songs on the Billboard Hot 100. “It’s going to be an epic opening.”
SECRET NO. 2
How the show comes together in the days before cameras roll is an eye- opener. Though there have been dozens of calls between Dick Clark Productions ( which produces the awards show) and each artist’s creative teams over the last several weeks, it’s only Thursday that rehearsals in Vegas actually start ( though some artists with bigger productions rehearse ahead of time in their hometown studios). From Thursday to Saturday, “each artist has 90 minutes to rehearse,” says Bracco. “It’s like putting a jigsaw puzzle together.” On Sunday morning, a full dress rehearsal is held — and then, it’s show time.
SECRET NO. 3
There will also be a Jackson in the house. USA TODAY can exclusively reveal presenters include Prince Michael Jackson ( the eldest child of Michael Jack- son), Kevin Hart, Olivia Munn, Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Duhamel. Drake and the Chainsmokers led nominations ( with 22 each) and will perform, as will Camila Cabello, who is debuting her new single in her first solo outing after leaving Fifth Harmony.
SECRET NO. 4
Céline Dion is making a Titanic
size splash. Performing in the center of the arena, bathed in chandelier lighting and backed by Ti
tanic footage, Dion will mark the 20th anniversary of the James Cameron film with a performance of her 1997 hit, My Heart Will Go On. “The film itself will be a big part of the performance,” says Bracco. “It’s going to be one of the emotional highlights.”
SECRET NO. 5
USA TODAY can exclusively reveal that Gwen Stefani will present the Icon Award to Cher, who will give her first awards show performance in 15 years. Cher will sing Believe, and will perform another one of her classic songs. “It’s such a rarity that Cher performs on television,” says Bracco. “Whenever Cher does anything, it’s an event.” Meanwhile, Cyrus will perform her twangy new Malibu. “If you’ve seen the music video, you’ve seen the crashing waves and the sand. You’re going to feel that,” says Bracco. So come for the softer side of Cyrus, but stay for a trip down memory lane with Cher.