All the highlights — Billboard Music Awards

Despite winning Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, and Top Selling Song for “Hello”, Adele was not actually at the award show in Las Vegas. These are the most memorable moments of the night. But the night-capping performance was apparently underwhelming for plenty of fans and other media outlets, who took to social media to excoriate both Billboard and Madonna for the lackluster show.

Adele, who is now on tour and couldn’t make it to the telecast, accepted her award via pre-taped messages. It was a bittersweet occasion for Celine, who lost her husband Rene in January (16) before her brother Daniel died just days after, and she became overwhelmed when her son Rene-Charles presented her with the accolade. There are SO many artists (so many artists of color) who would have been a better choice – why weren’t they up there?

After being introduced by Roots leader Questlove who skillfully articulated the impact of the musical genius, the tribute started with a recording of Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy”, as all the lights in the venue turned purple. After Madonna performed Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U“, made famous by Sinead O’Connor, Wonder joined her for a duet on Prince’s classic “Purple Rain“. In it, BET promises the tribute that Prince deserves. The response said, “Yeah, we saw that. Don’t worry. We got you”.

Questlove used his platform to unify fans behind a common goal-paying tribute to late artists in a variety of ways.

Instead, she did an acoustic performance of Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe” accompanied only by a violin and piano.

There was debate about whether the singer would use it as an opportunity to make a statement about her ongoing legal battle with her record label, the head of which she says sexually assaulted her.

She reminded everyone that she was still a very talented vocalist and paid a tribute the legendary songwriter, who turns 75 this year.

But there was one saving grace about the performance.

Britney Spears’ opening medley of her almost two decades of hits started off stiff, but by the end of the performance, she finally warmed up.

She tweeted after picking up the trophy: “This award & this night meant the world to me”. “It’s lovely to be in everyone’s company”, Adele said, adding “I’m about to go on stage”.