The Best Dressed Stars At The 2019 Billboard Music Awards
The Billboard Music Awards, one of the music industry's grandest, most spectacular nights of the year, took place at the Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. on May 1, 2019. Hosted by the OG American Idol and future daytime talk show host, Kelly Clarkson, the BMAs were pure entertainment from start to finish — both for the show's live audience and the rest of us watching from home. Records were broken, legends were honored, and Paula Abdul proved she's still got it (and never lost it) when she took to the stage to perform with none other than MC Skat Kat — the beloved dancing, animated cat from her unforgettable music video for "Opposites Attract."
There's no question that the 2019 BMAs were full to the brim with wildly captivating musical performances — but your favorite stars also took advantage of the evening to showcase some seriously head-turning looks. Here's a peek at some of the best dressed stars from the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey definitely had us "feeling emotions deeper than we've ever dreamed of" with her knockout performance at the 2019 BMAs. Referred to as the "Songbird Supreme" by the Guinness Book of World Records for her record-shattering, powerhouse vocal performances, Carey graced the BMAs stage with a flawless medley of some of the greatest hits from her decades-spanning career, including "Emotions," "Always Be My Baby," and "We Belong Together." After her unforgettable performance, Carey accepted the Icon Award — the BMAs highest honor — and delivered an emotional acceptance speech in which she thanked her fans for sticking by her side every step of the way.
"To anyone who's ever told me that a song I wrote helped save your life, I thank you because you saved mine," Carey said to cheers and applause. "And I'll be eternally grateful for that. I love you."
Of course, the undisputed queen diva of pop looked as incredible as ever in a figure-hugging, sparkling black gown featuring a classic thigh-high slit and flattering cinched waist. Carey accessorized with diamond drop earrings in white gold, a butterfly motif ring, and her signature long, voluminous tresses.
Sophie Turner
Sophie Turner may not have performed or won any awards at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, but it wouldn't be a stretch to say that the evening will likely forever be remembered by the real-life Sansa Stark as one of the best she's ever had. Turner attended the awards ceremony as a presenter, and beamed with pride while watching fiancé Joe Jonas rock the house while performing the Jonas Brothers' breakout comeback song, "Sucker." But wait — did we say "fiancé?" Well, corrections are in order — because just after the BMAs, Turner and Jonas tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at Chapel L'Amour, located inside A Little White Wedding Chapel. Their wedding was attended by close family and friends, and officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator — because it's Vegas, baby!
Turner looked glowing in white for her surprise wedding, but, earlier in the evening, the Game of Thrones star served some serious medieval warrior-princess vibes in a metallic, Louis Vuitton jumpsuit featuring a sprawling vine motif and belted waistline, as noted by Teen Vogue. While we don't yet know who's going to win the game of thrones, Sophie Turner was the clear winner of the 2019 BMAs.
Taylor Swift
The year is young, but it's obvious that crossover queen Taylor Swift plans on making 2019 the year of Tay-Tay. The "Look What You Made Me Do" singer sent her fans (lovingly known as Swifties) into a frenzy mid-April when she suddenly began a cryptic countdown to Friday, April 26 — leaving Swift die-hards waiting in anticipation for weeks. The countdown ended with Swift dropping both a brand new single and music video for the song "ME!" Written and performed with Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco fame, the music video quickly made history when it racked up 65.2 million views on YouTube in just 24 hours — and fans were treated to the very first live performance of the feel-good song at the 2019 BMAs when Swift and Urie opened the show with a colorful, high-energy production, complete with a drum line.
In a probable nod to the pastel-rainbow aesthetic of her new era, Swift walked the BMAs red carpet wearing a ruffled, lavender mini-dress with a Victorian-inspired collar and intricate lace detailing. The old Taylor may be dead, but the new Taylor looks happier and more colorful than ever before.
Priyanka Chopra
What an exciting year it's already been for Quantico star Priyanka Chopra. The former beauty queen and Bollywood actress made headlines around in the world in December 2018 when she married Nick Jonas in not one, but two lavish wedding ceremonies in Jodhpur, India — a traditional Indian ceremony to pay homage to Chopra's culture and a traditional Christian ceremony to celebrate Jonas'. Since then, Chopra has launched her very own YouTube show, If I Could Tell You Just One Thing, which features the actress in conversation with inspiring women from all walks of life, such as Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and multi-talented star Awkwafina.
Needless to say, Chopra is a busy lady — but that didn't stop her from attending the 2019 Billboard Music Awards to support her new husband as he took to the stage with his brothers to perform their newest hit, "Sucker." The actress looked absolutely stunning in a sparkly, white wrap dress featuring a plunging neckline, long sleeves, and a belted waist. Chopra accessorized with multiple layers of pearls and kept her long, dark locks hanging loose over her shoulder.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson returned to the BMAs for its 2019 ceremony to serve as host for a second time — and in true Clarkson fashion, she brought her A-game throughout the entire evening.
The former American Idol star and current Voice judge kicked off the awards ceremony by hilariously poking fun at herself in a callback to an incident at the 2019 Academy of Country Music Awards in which some poor soul mistook the pop powerhouse for a seat-filler. In her BMAs opening monologue, Clarkson attempted to "convince" the show's security team that she wasn't a seat filler by performing an incredible medley of the evening's nominated songs, including "Girls Like You" by Maroon 5 and "I Like It" by Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin. And considering Clarkson was able to carry out her hosting duties for the remainder of the ceremony, it seems "security" decided to have mercy on the Grammy-winning songstress.
Clarkson changed outfits multiple times throughout the 2019 BMAs, but her standout gown was the '80s-inspired, hot pink gown she wore during her finale performance of "Broken & Beautiful," a song from the upcoming movie UglyDolls. Who's up for a Pretty in Pink reboot?
Olivia Wilde
Though she was neither a performer nor a nominee, actress Olivia Wilde completely stole the show at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. Attending as a presenter, Wilde looked more like a golden Oscar statuette than a Billboard microphone trophy. Perhaps Wilde is a psychic of some sort — because if the early, glowing reviews of her debut directorial effort, Booksmart, are any indication, the Life Itself star could certainly find herself nominated for an Oscar of her own next year.
Wilde was all smiles as she floated down the red carpet with the young stars of Booksmart, Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein, the latter of whom recently praised the director for the way she chose to represent LGBTQ characters in the upcoming film. "I think if I could have seen our film earlier, I would have found myself a bit sooner," Feldstein revealed to Page Six in a March 2019 interview.
Wilde's future is undeniably bright and probably just as sparkly as the metallic number she wore to the 2019 BMAs. Featuring a floor-length skirt, long sleeves, a mock-turtleneck, and a modest leg slit, Wilde's red carpet look was a definite standout.
Ciara and Future Zahir
The award for most fashionable mother-son duo goes to — drumroll, please — Ciara and Future Zahir! No such award exists, unfortunately, but if it did, the songstress and her 4-year-old son would absolutely be shoo-ins for the win. The 2019 Billboard Music Awards was not the first ceremony that little Future Jr. attended as his famous mom's right-hand man. The youngster also stole the show at the 2018 American Music Awards as the "Level Up" singer's plus-one. The little guy soaked up his time in the spotlight, smiling from ear-to-ear and striking plenty of poses for eager photographers. Wearing a miniature black and gold Versace creation (via E! News), Future Jr. held his mom's hand as they walked the red carpet — and very nearly upstaged her!
Of course, Ciara has been owning red carpets since she stepped onto the scene back in 2004 with her breakout hit, "Goodies." The star looked stunning in a dramatic Stéphane Rolland gown featuring an ultra-low cutout and oversized bow on her right shoulder, which she complemented with a wide, sparkly choker. We have a feeling Ciara taught Future Jr. everything he knows about making a splash on the red carpet.
Paula Abdul
If you've ever dared to think that Paula Abdul's heyday is over — well, do we have some news for you. While the iconic songstress has been relatively quiet in the years since her time as a judge on American Idol came to an end, the "Forever Your Girl" singer made a dazzling comeback in a major way with her appearance and stellar performance at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.
Abdul looked better than ever before the ceremony commenced, walking the red carpet and showing off her gams in a white mini-dress featuring a plunging neckline, padded shoulders, and silvery-gold fringe. The singer stuck to the "less is more" philosophy, accessorizing with only a simple pair of hoop earrings, as well as a few rings. As great as she looked while posing for photographers, Abdul dropped many a jaw when she took to the BMAs stage to close out the show with a medley performance of her greatest hits. Wearing a sultry black bodysuit (also featuring its share of fringe), Abdul proved she's still got the powerhouse vocals and iconic dance moves that earned her a permanent spot in pop culture history.
Cobie Smulders
Metallics and fringe seemed to be the theme of the red carpet at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, as evidenced by Olivia Wilde, Sophie Turner, and Paula Abdul's shimmering, eye catching ensembles. Unfortunately, we're unable to confirm if your favorite celebrities have some kind of giant group text in which they plot to complement each other's award show looks. However, if such a star-studded group text does exist, it's safe to say that How I Met Your Mother star Cobie Smulders is definitely in the loop.
Smulders, who portrays S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill in the ever-growing Marvel Cinematic Universe, arrived to the BMAs red carpet looking like an ultra-chic disco ball. The BMAs presenter showed off some leg in a silver, Cong Tri mini-dress with a plunging neckline and all-over fringe (via Elle). Before the ceremony started, Smulders took to Instagram to make a light-hearted joke at her own expense, posting a photo of herself with a Hooters restaurant visible in the background and writing, "Just a girl with very little to no hooters posing in front of a Hooters." Talented, fashionable, and hilarious? Can Smulders be our new BFF?