Stars pay tribute to Beyonce at Billboard Awards
Queen B picked up the coveted Billboard Millennium gong at the bash…
Some of the biggest stars on the planet paid tribute to Beyoncé at last night’s Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
The likes of Lady GaGa, Bono and Stevie Wonder praised the former Destiny’s Child singer, as she picked up the prestigious 2011 Billboard Millennium Award.
Queen B’s mother, Tina Knowles, fought back the tears as she paid homage to her superstar daughter, while her father Mathew, sister Solange and nephew Julez also filmed black and white videos as a tribute to Bey.
GaGa, who collaborated with Knowles on hit single Telephone, said of the Single Ladies star: “You are so much more than just a pop star or an icon; you represent the dream,”
U2 frontman Bono claimed: “She makes songs that will live forever,” while Wonder mused: “Beyoncé has made history and she’s not even 30 yet.”
After hearing from some of her A-List pals, it was Beyoncé’s mother Tina who issued the most heartfelt tribute, stating: “I can remember when she was a kid and she saw Whitney Houston and she said, ‘One day I’m gonna do that,’ and I was like, ‘Yeah baby, OK, that’s really nice…'”
She added: “But one day I was actually at the Super Bowl and she was performing the National Anthem and I just cried because it was unbelievable that she had done so many of the things that she said that she’d do.”
First lady Michelle Obama had the last word, gushing: “I’m very proud of her, I’m very proud of the woman that she is, the role model that she provides to so many women.”
Beyoncé then performed her latest attack on the charts, Run The World (Girls), putting on an energetic performance, complete with a troupe of female backing dancers – earning the Sweet Dreams hitmaker a standing ovation.
Her mum and nephew Julez then took to the stage to present Beyoncé with the accolade, with the 29-year old diva telling Tina she was “a phenomenal woman.”
Beyoncé also thanked her dad and her ex-Destiny’s Child bandmates, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, as well as praising her hubby Jay-Z, calling him her “best friend” and adding: “I love me some Jay Z” as Jigga smiled from the audience.
Full list of 2011 Billboard Award Winners:
ARTIST AWARDS:
• Top Artist: Eminem
• Top New Artist: Justin Bieber
• Top Male Artist: Eminem
• Top Female Artist: Rihanna
• Top Duo/Group: Black Eyed Peas
• Top Billboard 200 Artist: Taylor Swift
• Top Hot 100 Artist: Katy Perry
• Top Digital Songs Artist: Katy Perry
• Top Radio Songs Artist: Rihanna
• Top Touring Artist: U2
• Top Social Artist: Justin Bieber
• Top Streaming Artist: Justin Bieber
• Top Digital Media Artist: Justin Bieber
• Top Pop Artist: Lady GaGa
• Top R&B Artist: Usher
• Top Rap Artist: Eminem
• Top Country Artist: Taylor Swift
• Top Rock Artist: Train
• Top Alternative Artist: Mumford & Sons
• Top Latin Artist: Shakira
• Top Dance/Electronic Artist: Lady GaGa
• Top Christian Artist: Chris Tomlin
ALBUM AWARDS
• Top Billboard 200 Album: Eminem – “Recovery”
• Top Pop Album: Justin Bieber – “My World 2.0”
• Top R&B Album: Usher – “Raymond vs. Raymond”
• Top Rap Album: Eminem – “Recovery”
• Top Country Album: Taylor Swift – “Speak Now”
• Top Rock Album: Mumford & Sons “Sigh No More”
• Top Alternative Album: Mumford & Sons “Sigh No More”
• Top Latin Album: Enrique Iglesias – “Euphoria”
• Top Dance/Electronic/Electronic Album: Lady GaGa – “The Fame”
• Top Christian Album: Skillet – “Awake”
SONG AWARDS
• Top Hot 100 Song: Taio Cruz – “Dynamite”
• Top Digital Song: Taio Cruz – “Dynamite”
• Top Radio Song: Bruno Mars – “Just the Way You Are”
• Top Streaming Song (Audio): Nelly – “Just a Dream”
• Top Streaming Song (Video): Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris – “Baby”
• Top Pop Song: Taio Cruz – “Dynamite”
• Top R&B Song: Usher ft. will.i.am “OMG”
• Top Rap Song: Eminem ft. Rihanna – “Love the Way You Lie”
• Top Country Song: Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”
• Top Rock Song: Train – “Hey, Soul Sister”
• Top Alternative Song: Neon Trees – “Animal”
• Top Latin Song: Shakira ft. Freshleyground – “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”
• Top Dance/Electronic Song: Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina – “Stereo Love”
• Top Christian Song: Chris Tomlin – “Our God”
SPECIAL HONOREES
• Millennium Award: Beyonce Knowles
• Icon Award: Neil Diamond
OTHER AWARDS
• Viral Innovator Award: Cee-Lo Green
• Fan Favorite Award: Justin Bieber
• Heatseeker of the Year: Gentleman Hall
