The big story of last night's Billboard Awards included fishnets, patent leather bondage bodices, chains, a pole, some fire, a mandatory pillow fight, Britney, Rihanna and what The Sun are describing as "a snog". All I can see is Rihanna desperately trying to reinact the onstage MTV Awards tongue fest involving Britney, Madonna and the other one. Instead, we get Rihanna grabbing Britney's head a bit too late to hit the lips, instead getting a mouthful of hair. In reality, she's just talking into Brit's ear.
Anyway, all of this was in aid of their mutually beneficial collaboration (Britney needs to sell tickets worldwide and Rihanna needs to sell tickets in America) which involves a rehash of Rhianna's S&M track. Lots of other people performed, like Beyonce (and a million bikini clad dancers, and - at one point - Glee's Matthew Morrisson), Niki Minaj, Ke$ha, Neil Diamond, Mary J Blige and Lil Wayne, but they didn't try to kiss anyone and therefore aren't newsworthy in the eyes of the rags.
Here be a full list of winners and a gallery featuring the blindingly white "carpet", the press room and some performances. You can expect to see most of the below, like Justin Bieber milling into Selena Gomez, Kylie Minogue in multiple outfits, and even young Bono. Unfortunately Katy Perry wasn't there to pick up her awards - she was performing in Japan sans Russell as he promptly got deported upon his arrival thanks to his 'previous'.
Top Artist of the Year: Eminem
Top Hot 100 Song: Taio Cruz - Dynamite
Top Billboard 200 Album: Eminem - Recovery
Top New Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Touring Artist: U2
Top Duo/group: The Black Eyed Peas
Top Country Album: Taylor Swift - Speak Now
Top Rap Album: Eminem - Recovery
Top Rock Album: Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Top Social Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Digital Song: Taio Cruz - Dynamite
Top Radio Song: Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are
Top Streaming Song (Audio): Nelly - Just A Dream
Top Streaming Song (Video): Justin Bieber feat. Ludacris - Baby
Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist: Katy Perry
Top Digital Songs Artist: Katy Perry
Top Radio Songs Artist: Rihanna
Top Streaming Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Digital Media Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Male Artist: Eminem
Top Female Artist: Rihanna
Top Rap Artist: Eminem
Top Pop Artist: Lady Gaga
Top R&B Artist: Usher
Top Rock Artist: Train
Top Alternative Artist: Mumford & Sons
Top Country Artist: Taylor Swift
Top Latin Artist: Shakira
Top Dance Artist: Lady Gaga
Top Christian Artist: Chris Tomlin
Top Pop Song: Taio Cruz - Dynamite
Top R&B Song: Usher feat Will.I.Am - OMG
Top Rap Song: Eminem feat Rihanna - I Love The Way You Lie
Top Country Song: Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
Top Rock Song: Train - Hey Soul Sister
Top Alternative Song: Neon Trees - Animal
Top Latin Song: Shakira - Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)
Top Dance Song: Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina - Stereo Love
Top Christian Song: Chris Tomlin - Our God
Top Pop Album: Justin Bieber - My World 2.0 Best R&B Album: Usher - Raymond V Raymond
Top Alternative Album: Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Top Latin Album: Enrique Iglesias - Euphoria
Top Dance/Electronic Album: Lady Gaga - The Fame
Top Christian Album: Skillet - Awake
Viral Innovator of the Year: Cee Lo Green
Icon Award: Neil Diamond
Millennium Artist Award: Beyonce
