Celine Dion paid tribute to her late husband René Angélil and brother Daniel Dion with a cover of Queen’s ‘The Show Must Go On’ at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night (22.05.16).
After the 48-year-old songstress – whose spouse and sibling died within days of each other four months ago from cancer – sang the moving rendition, her son, 15-year-old Rene-Charles presented his mother with Billboard’s lifetime achievement honour, the Icon Award, and she broke down in tears before she thanked her family and fans for their continued support.
Celine told the crowd: "I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for crying. I want to be so strong for my family and my kids. And I didn’t expect that. I’m so sorry. I don’t want to cry in front of you. You make me so happy. Thank you.
"I want to thank the fans for traveling through music with me in good and bad times…All the people who believed in me. My family. My mom who wrote my first song, my children, Rene Charles. And most importantly, my beloved husband whom I know will continue to watch over me from up above."
Meanwhile, it was a night of artists paying tribute to their loved ones, peers and fans.
Madonna and Stevie Wonder brought the house down when they performed a tribute to the late music icon Prince, who died last month, and sang his hit ‘Let’s Go Crazy’.
Loved up couple Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani delivered a romantic performance of ‘Go Ahead and Break My Heart’, whilst Kesha received a standing ovation after her emotional performance of Bob Dylan’s 1964 hit ‘It Ain’t Me Babe’.
Other performances came from Rihanna, who sang her new track ‘Love on the Brain’ and Pink, who delivered the world television debut of her latest single ‘Just Like Fire’.
Elsewhere, the night kicked off with pop princess Britney Spears – who took home the Billboard Millennium Award – singing a raunchy medley of songs that included hits such as ‘I’m A Slave 4 U’ from her two decade career and Justin Bieber – who was nominated for 12 awards – sang his hits ‘Sorry’ and ‘Company’ in familiar ripped jeans and a tee shirt.
And the big winners of the music extravaganza were The Weeknd and Adele.
The former scooped eight gongs including Top Hot 100 Artist and Top R&B Artist and Adele took home five prizes and the top honour – Billboards Top Artist.
Drake was named Top Rap Artist, Justin Bieber Top Male Artist and twenty one pilots Top Rock Artist.
Billboard Music Awards 2016 Full list of winners:
Top Rap Artist:
Drake
Top Artist:
Adele
Billboard Chart Achievement Award (Fan-Voted):
Rihanna
Top R&B Song:
The Weeknd, ‘The Hills’
Top Billboard 200 Album:
Adele, ’25’
Top Male Artist:
Justin Bieber
Top Country Song:
Thomas Rhett, ‘Die A Happy Man’
Top Hot 100 Song:
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, ‘See You Again’
Top Hot 100 Artist:
The Weeknd
Top New Artist:
Fetty Wap
Top Female Artist:
Adele
Top Duo/Group:
One Direction
Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Adele
Top Song Sales Artist:
The Weeknd
Top Radio Songs Artist:
The Weeknd
Top Streaming Songs Artist:
The Weeknd
Top Social Media Artist:
Justin Bieber
Top Touring Artist:
Taylor Swift
Top R&B Artist:
The Weeknd
Top Rap Artist:
Drake
Top Country Artist:
Luke Bryan
Top Rock Artist:
twenty one pilots
Top Latin Artist:
Romeo Santos
Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
David Guetta
Top Christian Artist:
Hillsong United
Top Gospel Artist:
Kirk Franklin
Top Soundtrack:
‘Pitch Perfect 2’
Top R&B Album:
The Weeknd, ‘Beauty Behind the Madness’
Top Rap Album:
Meek Mill, ‘Dreams Worth More Than Money’
Top Country Album:
Chris Stapleton, ‘Traveller’
Top Rock Album:
twenty one pilots, ‘Blurryface’
Top Latin Album:
Juan Gabriel, ‘Los Dúo’
Top Dance/Electronic Album:
Zedd, ‘True Colors’
Top Christian Album:
Lauren Daigle, ‘How Can It Be’
Top Gospel Album:
Kirk Franklin, ‘Losing My Religion’
Top Selling Song:
Adele, ‘Hello’
Top Radio Song:
Walk the Moon, ‘Shut Up and Dance’
Top Streaming Song (Audio):
The Weeknd, ‘The Hills’
Top Streaming Song (Video):
Silentó, ‘Watch Me’
Top Rap Song:
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, ‘See You Again’
Top Rock Song:
Walk the Moon, ‘Shut Up And Dance’
Top Latin Song:
Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, ‘El Perdon’
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
Major Lazer & DJ Snake Featuring MØ, ‘Lean On’WINNER
Top Christian Song:
Hillsong UNITED, ‘Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)’
Top Gospel Song:
Kirk Franklin, ‘Wanna Be Happy?’