By Omar Paredes
The 2012 Billboard Music Awards were in full effect Sunday (May 20) as music's brightest stars gathered in Las Vegas for the big awards show.
Party rockers LMFAO, winner's of six Billboard awards including Hot 100 Song of the Year, kicked off the ceremony with a high-energy, over-the-top performance of their hits, 'Party Rock', 'Sexy And I Know It', and 'Sorry For Party Rocking'. They were followed later by a shirtless Chris Brown performing his dance single 'Turn Up The Music' with BMX bikers doing stunts.
The first award of the night went to Justin Bieber, who took home Top Social Artist for his huge online presence.
"I just want to say how much of a blessing it's been... the past three or four years, growing up in front of everybody," Bieber said emotionally. "I want to thank all my fans, because the Internet is where I got my start, and all my fans have helped me get to this position."
Bieber later performed his hit single 'Boyfriend' accompanied by dancers dressed as clowns and neon geisha girls.
Lisa Marie Presley was on hand to present the Spotlight award to Katy Perry for tying the record set by Michael Jackson of five #1 hits from the same album, for her handful of smashes from Teenage Dream.
Taylor Swift was honored with the Billboard Woman of the Year award for her success as a recording artist, which was presented by 'New Girl' TV star Zooey Deschanel and veteran artist Kris Kristofferson, who praised Swift for having 'done it the old-fashioned way by speaking the truth beautifully.'
Miley Cyrus presented the Top New Artist award to Wiz Khalifa and Gladys Knight accepted the Male Artist of the Year award on Lil' Wayne's behalf.
Rock band U2 won for Top Touring Act and Lady Gaga took home Top Dance Artist.
The night's big winner was Adele, who snatched up twelve awards including Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album for 21.
The show included performances by Kelly Clarkson, debuting her balled 'Dark Side', Usher showing off his dance moves to his dance track 'Scream', and British boy band The Wanted driving the female fans crazy with their songs 'Glad You Came' and 'Chasing The Sun'.
Linkin Park brought the rock by performing their new single 'Burn It Down' off their upcoming album Living Things.
The three-hour program, televised live from the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, was also filled with touching tributes.
Actress and co-host Julie Bowen honored Robin Gibbs with a moment of silence. The Bee Gees member had past away from cancer earlier in the day.
Other tributes included Cee-Lo Green and Goodie Mobb honoring Beastie Boy Adam "MCA" Yauch with a surprise performance of '(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party!)' and Natasha Bedingfield singing 'Last Dance' in honor of Donna Summer who had passed away earlier in the week.
The highlight of all tributes had to be Jordin Spark's rendition of 'I Will Always Love You' honoring the late Whitney Houston. The 22-year-old Sparks hit every note, bringing tears to Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina, who was in the audience. The tribute to Whitney Houston also featured John Legend singing a piano version of Houston's 'The Greatest Love of All'.
In her short but extremely emotional speech Bobbi Kristina, after accepting the Billboard Millennium Award on behalf of her mother Whitney Houston said that she was "blessed to have been in such an incredible woman's life."
The show was closed out by Icon of the Year recipient Stevie Wonder, who performed a medley of songs alongside Alicia Keys including "Higher Ground", "Overjoyed", and "Superstition".
What was your favorite moment of the 2012 Billboard Music Awards?
Tags 2012 Billboard Music Awards, Adam Yauch, Adele, Alicia Keys, Beastie Boys, blogger: Omar Paredes, Bobbi Kristina, Cee Lo Green, Chris Brown, Donna Summer, Gladys Knight, Goodie Mobb, John Legend, Jordin Sparks, Julie Bowen, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Kris Kristofferson, Lady Gaga, Las Vegas, Lil Wayne, Linkin Park, Lisa Marie Presley, LMFAO, michael jackson, Miley Cyrus, Natasha Bedingfield, Robin Gibbs, stevie wonder, Taylor Swift, The Bee Gees, The Wanted, U2, Usher, Whitney Houston, Wiz Khalifa, Zooey Deschanel
