Because Paris Hilton backed out on hosting the grand festivity, Fox was put in a position in which a replacement had to be found in less than three days before the show. So, instead of going for someone who wouldn't be well prepared, the organizers chose to hold the awards with no host at all and only guest presenters.

Initially, they wanted Paris and Britney Spears as co-host, an idea that immediately grew on the two new best friends. The second day after the announcement was made, Fox revealed that Britney backed out for undisclosed reasons. This last weekend, Paris also quit her hosting responsibilities, saying that she couldn't agree with the script (it was believed that she had been required to make some ironic remarks about Spears' unwillingness to wear panties when she goes out).

'It is my understanding that some satirical references ridiculed some of her peers. Paris did not want to say anything that could appear hurtful or embarrassing about people she knows.', Elliot Mitz, her publicist, said. But the world does not end when Paris won't do something she is asked to...

The big event took place on Monday and all the big stars crowded the venue to see who was the best this year. One thing that's particular to the Billboard Awards is that it celebrates the best selling artists in various categories but, given the huge number of national and international charts, it is never easy to predict a winner, as it happens with other awards.

Mary J. Blige was by far the favorite of the evening, with nine nominations in leading categories: she took home all the statuettes. Rihanna, Chris Brown, Nickelback, newcomer Carrie Underwood and Nelly Furtado were also honored for their performances (chart-wise) in 2006. Guest presenters and performers included Janet Jackson, Kid Rock, ZZ Top and a skit about Kevin Federline (such a thing is becoming a sort of tradition).

The complete list of winners is as follows:

- Billboard Century Award: Tony Bennett
- Artist duo/group of the year: Nickelback
- Artist of the year: Chris Brown
- New artist of the year: Chris Brown
- Album of the year: "Some Hearts," Carrie Underwood
- Female artist of the year: Rihanna
- Male artist of the year: Chris Brown
- Female Billboard 200 album artist of the year: Carrie Underwood
- Hot 100 artist duo/group of the year: Nickelback
- Hot 100 airplay song of the year: "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige
- Female Hot 100 artist of the year: Rihanna
- Pop 100 single of the year: "Promiscuous," Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland
- Pop 100 artist of the year: Rihanna
- Rap artist of the year: T.I.
- Rap album of the year: "King," T.I.
- Rap album artist of the year: T.I.
- Rap songs artist of the year: T.I.
- Country songs artist of the year: Kenny Chesney
- Country album of the year: "Some Hearts," Carrie Underwood
- New country artist of the year: Carrie Underwood
- Female country artist of the year: Carrie Underwood
- Female R&B/hip-hop artist of the year: Mary J. Blige
- R&B/hip-hop artist of the year: Mary J. Blige
- R&B/hip-hop songs artist of the year: Mary J. Blige
- R&B/hip-hop album artist of the year: Mary J. Blige
- R&B hip-hop album of the year: "The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige
- R&B/hip-hop song of the year: "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige
- R&B/hip-hop song airplay of the year: "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige
- Rock Album of the year: "All the Right Reasons," Nickelback
- Rock song of the year: "Animal I Have Become," Three Days Grace
- Soundtrack album of the year: "High School Musical"
- Digital album of the year: "How to Save a Life," the Fray
- Digital album artist of the year: The Fray
- Digital songs artist of the year: The Fray
- Videoclip of the year: "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige
- Videoclips artist of the year: T.I.