Billboard Music Awards: Taylor Swift’s eight gongs

TAYLOR Swift won eight awards at this year’s US Billboard Music Awards. The country pop singer took categories that included, Top Female Artist, Top Digital Songs Artist and Top Country Artist.

Taylor Swift: Eight awards. Picture: Getty

Also on stage during the evening was Madonna. The 54-year-old entertainer accepted the Top Touring Artist award for her MDNA tour, which was the top earning tour of 2012, taking £200 million, as well as awards for dance artist and dance album.

Jennifer Lopez put on a fiery performance for the crowd in a spectacular red outfit, while Prince – winner of the Billboard Icon award, wowed the audience with a performance of his 1984 hit Let’s Go Crazy.

Other winners included Justin Bieber for Top Male Artist and Top Social Artist and One Direction who won Top Duo/Group and Top New Artist.

Top Electronic Dance Music Album went to Skrillex for their album Bangarang.

The Billboard Music awards ceremony was hosted by comedian and 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan in Las Vegas. There were performances by Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Selena Gomez, Chris Brown and Ed Sheeran.

Nominees are based on fan interactions with music. This includes album and digital singles sales, radio airplay, touring, streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Vevo, Spotify and other popular online destinations for music.