2020 Billboard Music Awards: 13 amazing moments

By Marni Zipper, RADIO.COM

Even though this year’s award season has been vastly different than what we’re used to, the 2020 Billboard Music Awards was here to remind us that music will always serve to unite us.

Hosted by Kelly Clarkson, the award show was filled with powerful and touching moments. From Lizzo’s moment urging us to “vote,” to John Legend’s tearful tribute to Chrissy Teigen, to Garth Brooks’ dazzling Icon performance, this evening’s show was packed with bits you don’t want to miss out on.

Check out our full list of winners here, and all of the best moments from the 2020 BBMAs below.

1 Kelly Clarkson powerfully opens the show

Kelly Clarkson, who hosted this evening opened the show with her powerhouse vocal chops on a cover of "Higher Love" plus Shelia E and Pentatonix served us an electrifying drum solo and moving vocals. During the opening vocalists from around the globe also appeared virtually to contribute to the passionate opening number.

2 Sia shares a rare performance with us, wig, giant bow, and all

Sia’s solo performance has reminded us that we are not alone during what has been an incredibly trying number of months, especially when it comes to connecting through music. Although we cannot gather in concert and venue spaces, Sia’s lyrics “Rain it falls rain it falls / Pouring on me / And the rain it falls rain it falls / Sowing the seeds of love and hope / love and hope / We don't have to stay here stuck in the weeds,” allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

3 Nas-vember is coming

After winning his award for best song on Billboard’s Hot 100, Lil Nas X shared that he’d be dropping “the best album ever” with new music coming in November. Honestly, we can’t wait. Move over Thanksgiving, Nas-vember is coming.

4 Alicia Keys stuns on the BBMA stage

The singer gave us a rendition of “Love Looks Better on You” that not only tugged at our heart strings, but also had us grooving in our living rooms.

5 Luke Combs’ candle lit performance was * chef’s kiss * perfection

Luke’s live performance of “Better Together,” backed by a simple piano performance gave us chills. Plus Combs brought home the BBMA for Top Country Artist.

6 Post Malone delivers a performance from a secret location

Posty gets industrial to give us a performance live from a secret location in Los Angeles. Fireworks and all, Post Malone and Tyla Yaweh’s vocals never disappoint.

Lizzo, 2020 Billboard Music Awards Photo credit Getty Images

7 Lizzo’s acceptance speech was incredibly timely

Clad in a black and white “VOTE” dress, Lizzo’s acceptance speech for Top Song Sales Artist, was an ode to those who have “refused to be suppressed.” While encouraging us to vote, Lizzo also thanks us for being powerful and using art and protest to create change.

8 John Legend shares a touching tribute to Chrissy Teigen

With tears in his eyes, Legend sat down at the piano to perform a song called “Never Break.” The heart-wrenching performance was dedicated to his wife Chrissy Teigen just a few weeks after the couple lost their baby.

9 Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms presents Killer Mike with the first-ever ‘Change Maker Award’

The Atlanta Native, one half of Run The Jewels, and tireless humanitarian, accepted the first-ever Billboard “Change Maker Award.” Killer Mike has been a powerful leader in the Black community and has consistently championed Black-owned businesses. Through his music and his platform, Killer Mike speaks about social justice and activism in order to create change.

10 Doja Cat’s Chicago-themed performance was sweet, sultry, and ‘Juicy’

Doja Cat, who’s song, ‘Say So’ has appeared in 20 million TikTok videos, served us the most broadway-inspired BBMA performance ever. Doja pulled a page right out of Roxie Hart’s book and seriously dazzled us with her “Cell Block Tango” twerk routine.