Mary J. Blige Wins 9 Billboard Awards
Mary J. Blige picked up a total of nine awards at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards Monday night.
Blige took the stage to accept her R&B/Hip Hop artist of the year award, then threw off her fur stole, which she seemed to find unwieldy.
"I'm just humbled by this year and what 'The Breakthrough' has done," she said.
Blige's other eight awards were not handed out during the ceremony, but the categories were displayed on screen as she made her speech.
They included Female R&B/Hip Hop artist of the year, Hot 100 airplay of the year, R&B/Hip Hop songs artist of the year, R&B/Hip Hop album artist of the year, R&B/Hip Hop album of the year for "The Breakthrough," R&B/Hip Hop song of the year & R&B/Hip Hop song airplay of the year and videoclip of the year for "Be Without You."
Blige performed a medley of songs later in the evening, still wearing her sunglasses. She kept them on until she sang the lyric "so you can get the real me" at which point she took off her shades and tossed them into the crowd.
The awards, which are based solely on actual performance on the Billboard weekly charts, aired live on FOX from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Seventeen-year-old R&B star Chris Brown won the evening's highest award, artist of the year, along with male artist of the year, and new artist of the year.
"It feels great," he said from the red carpet. "I certainly don't feel my age."
T.I. took home five awards, including nods for rap artist of the year, rap single of the year for "King," rap albums artist of the year, rap songs artist of the year, and videoclips artist of the year.
Carrie Underwood also took home five awards including album of the year and country album of the year for "Some Hearts;" female Billboard 200 album artist of the year, female country artist of the year, and new country artist of the year.
The Fray, Rihanna, and Nickelback each won three awards.
Janet Jackson was the opening act of the night, accompanied by pyrotechnics and a crew of backup dancers. The 40-year-old singer started off with her 1980s hit song "Pleasure Principle" and then segued into "So Excited" from her most recent album, "20 Y.O."
"American Idol" finalists Chris Daughtry and Katharine McPhee, Jesse McCartney, Three 6 Mafia, Bow Wow were among the presenters.
Photos: Billboard Music Awards - Show And RehearsalsPhotos: Billboard Winner's List
Stevie Wonder stepped in for Celine Dion to present Tony Bennett with the Century Award, Billboard's highest honor. Last week, Dion had to cancel her appearance as well as five of her Las Vegas shows because of a respiratory infection.
Wonder credited Bennett for standing up for civil rights, "back in the day when it was not so popular."
"Through ... using his voice and his spirit for demanding the social, economic and civil rights of every single American that things have changed," said Wonder.
"You know I've been singing for 60 years," said Bennett as he accepted the award. "But the way you're treating me tonight I want to sing for another 60 years."
Other performers included The Fray, Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Ludacris with Pharrell, and Young Jeezy.
The Killers had to cancel their performance because their lead singer lost his voice. But, they joined a pleasantly coherent Courtney Love to hand out the evening's final award.
The evening ended with an all-star jam featuring Kid Rock, Nickelback and ZZ Top.
Tabloid favorite Paris Hilton canceled her appearance at the awards because she didn't like jokes written for her, according to a spokesman.
"It is my understanding that some satirical references ridiculed some of her peers," her spokesman, Elliot Mintz, said in a statement. "Paris did not want to say anything that could appear hurtful or embarassing about people she knows."
Mintz said Hilton received a script Friday that contained material she found "objectionable." Representatives for Hilton and the awards show could not come to an agreement about the script's content so she decided to scrap the appearance, he said.
Comedian Chris Kattan stood in for Hilton opposite Carmen Electra to present an award. Part of their banter had Kattan responding with Hilton's signature phrase "that's hot" several times.
Billboard Music Awards - Show And Rehearsals