Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen were among the top winners at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night.
Swift entered the evening as the finalist (as the BMAs call their nominees) in the most categories — a staggering 20 nods. She took home a total of 10 awards, including the coveted trophy for top artist and for top female artist, as well as top Billboard 200 artist.
In her acceptance speech, Swift thanked her fans, saying “none of this happens without you,” adding: “I feel like the luckiest girl to have you in my corner and caring about the music I make.”
SZA and Wallen tied as the second most-recognized finalists, with 17 entries in 16 categories. Wallen had a breakthrough night, emerging as the most awarded artist of the evening, with 11 trophies, including for top male artist, top Hot 100 artist, top country artist, and top Billboard 200 album. SZA took home 4 awards, among them top R&B artist and top R&B album.
Wallen, who entered the night as the most recognized male finalist and emerged as the night’s most-lauded star, sang “98 Braves.” His performance at last year’s BBMAs marked his first time at a major awards show after being recorded on camera using a racial slur.
This year’s event switched from its previous broadcasting home on NBC to instead air on the awards show’s official social channels and site. The show usually happens in May, but moved to the November time slot to fill the vacated place of the American Music Awards.
Karol G, who took home honors for top Latin artist and top Latin touring artist at the start of the show, gave the first performance of the night, singing “QLONA,” “Labios Mordidos,” and “OJOS FERRARI” in a stage filled with water, which she splashed to maximum effect, accompanied by dancers gyrating through the aquatics.
(Excerpt) Read More & Full Winners List @ The Hollywood Reporter