Kelly Clarkson opened the Billboard Music Awards with a medley from all the year’s top artists, from Maren Morris to Khalid.
If there’s an award for best musical monologue, Kelly Clarkson should win it.
After a tearful cold open addressing the Santa Fe High School shooting, the singer kept it lighter for her Billboard Music Awards hosting gig with a self-deprecating joke about « someone getting fired » for letting her host. She went on describe how she’s a huge fan and « a nerd » for the stars in attendance, like Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Shawn Mendes and many more.
« I’m keeping my role tonight super simple, subtle and understated, » she added before launching into a medley of nominated artists that was anything but « simple. »
She kicked off with Maren Morris’ « My Church » before smoothly seguing into « Too Good at Goodbyes » by Sam Smith, all backed by gospel-style singers.
Then she went hard on Kendrick Lamar’s « Humble » before quickly switching genres with Imagine Dragons « Thunder » and Khalid’s « Young Dumb & Broke, » thoroughly entertaining Khalid himself.
Bouncing back to pop, Clarkson sang snippets of Ed Sheeran’s « Shape of You, » Mendes’ « Nothing Holding Me Back » and Swift’s « Look What You Made Me Do. »
Swift, of course. was into the medley and her own song, playing into the moody vibe before cracking a smile at Clarkson’s amazing performance.
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Clarkson wrapped up the performance with acrobats, singers and dancers all covering the stage for the big finish, highlighted by fireworks and a crowd giving her a standing ovation.
« Enough about me, keeping it simple » Clarkson jokingly reiterated at the end, slightly out of breath after crushing a medley that covered nine songs. The Billboard Music Awards are Clarkson’s first time hosting an award show, and with that performance, we’re ready for her to host every award show.