14 DAY TRIAL // Last night, at the 2012 Billboard Awards, the world got confirmation of what it already knew: Adele and Justin Bieber were among the biggest, most successful and popular stars of today. They were the big winners of the night.
During the 3-hour, performance-heavy gala, members of the audience felt all sorts of mixed emotions, as the industry honored its fallen stars while celebrating its up-and-comers.
Tributes were included for Whitney Houston, who passed away earlier this year, Donna Summer, who died last week, and Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, who lost his battle with cancer over the weekend.
When fans and celebrities alike weren't in tears because of said tributes, they were rooting for their favorite artist to win.
Justin Bieber was the first winner of the night, MTV informs.
Though he should be used by now to accepting awards and having audiences fawn all over him since he is the biggest pop star of the moment, he came across as quite humble and totally overwhelmed by the moment when he accepted his Top Social Artist award.
“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,” Justin said, apparently struggling to find his words.
“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,” he added.
Katy Perry also thanked her fans for making it possible for her to hear her own name in the same sentence as that of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson: Katy won the Spotlight Award for tying the record he set, with five number 1 hits from the same album.
She said she was “very honored” to be in the same category as the late iconic singer.
“Most of all, of course, I always say that the people have the power, so I want to say thank you to the glittering, gorgeous community of fans out there,” she added, before joking that she was dying to be doing shots later on with her 91-year-old grandmother, her date for the night.
Both Katy and Justin were just two of the performers of the night.
Below is the complete list of winners: ARTIST AWARDS
Top Artist: Adele
Top New Artist: Wiz Khalifa
Top Male Artist: Lil Wayne
Top Female Artist: Adele
Top Duo/Group: LMFAO
Top Billboard 200 Artist: Adele
Top Hot 100 Artist: Adele
Top Digital Songs Artist: Adele
Top Radio Songs Artist: Adele
Top Touring Artist: U2
Top Social Artist: Justin Bieber
Top Streaming Artist: Rihanna
Top Digital Media Artist: Adele
Top Pop Artist: Adele
Top R&B Artist: Chris Brown
Top Rap Artist: Lil Wayne
Top Country Artist: Lady Antebellum
Top Rock Artist: Coldplay
Top Alternative Artist: Coldplay
Top Latin Artist: Shakira
Top Dance Artist: Lady Gaga
Top Christian Artist: Casting Crowns
ALBUMS AWARDS:
Top Billboard 200 Album: Adele “21”
Top Pop Album: Adele “21”
Top R&B Album: Beyonce “4”
Top Rap Album: Lil Wayne “Tha Carter IV”
Top Country Album: Jason Aldean “My Kinda Party”
Top Rock Album: Coldplay “Mylo Xyloto”
Top Alternative Album: Coldplay “Mylo Xyloto”
Top Latin Album: Romeo Santos “Formula: Vol. 1”
Top Dance Album: Lady Gaga “Born This Way”
Top Christian Album: Casting Crowns “Come To The Well”
SONG AWARDS:
Top Hot 100 Song: LMFAO Feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem”
Top Digital Song: LMFAO Feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem”
Top Radio Song: Pitbull Feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer “Give Me Everything”
Top Streaming Song (Audio): Adele “Rolling in the Deep”
Top Streaming Song (Video): Nicki Minaj “Super Bass”
Top Pop Song: LMFAO Feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem”
Top R&B Song: Kelly Rowland Feat. Lil Wayne “Motivation”
Top Rap Song: LMFAO Feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem”
Top Country Song: Jason Aldean “Dirt Road Anthem”
Top Rock Song: Foster The People “Pumped Up Kicks”
Top Alternative Song: Adele “Rolling In The Deep”
Top Latin Song: Don Omar & Lucenzo “Danza Kuduro”
Top Dance Song: LMFAO Feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem”
Top Christian Song: Laura Story “Blessings”