PEOPLE

Taylor Swift dominates Billboard Music Awards

Taylor Swift poses backstage with her awards at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday in Las Vegas.

Taylor Swift was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.

Swift won eight of 11 awards Sunday, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for “Red.” She told the crowd: “You are the longest and best relationship I ever had.”

She also had a colorful performance of her hit “22” — starting backstage and working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike with help from a dozen background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.

Justin Bieber also performed — twice — and was a multiple winner with three awards, including top male artist, social artist, and the fan-voted milestone award, beating out Swift and Bruno Mars. When accepting the latter — where boos were heard — he alluded to the tumultuous weeks he’s had in the public eye.

“I’m 19 years old; I think I’m doing a pretty good job. And basically from my heart I really just want to say it should really be about the music, it should be about the craft that I’m making. This is not a gimmick,” he said. “I’m an artist and I should be taken seriously and all this other bull should not be spoken.”

Bieber performed with will.i.am and solo when he sang “Take You” in leather pants, a leather vest, and a black shirt that had one sleeve, as blue laser lights beamed.

Miguel, too, had a show-stopping performance, though he seemed to kick a fan when he jumped over the crowd while singing his hit “Adorn.” The R&B singer seemed to have landed part of his body on one woman, who walked away, and kicked another, who held her head low.

Maroon 5 and fun. were also nominated for 11 awards and walked away with one win each in pre-telecast announcements. Gotye and Rihanna had the second-most wins with four awards each.

But the awards show, airing live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on ABC, is less about the trophies — which reflect success on the Billboard charts — and more about the performances. Selena Gomez sang her seductive new hit, “Come & Get It,” while Chris Brown danced around the stage to his latest single, “Fine China,” though his voice began to crack during the performance. Duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis also performed their massive hit, “Thrift Shop,” which won top rap song.

Kid Rock, who presented the award, sparked controversy when he told the crowd, “Let’s give it up for people lip-synching under pre-recorded music.”

Nicki Minaj won the first award in the live telecast for top rap artist, beating out Drake, Flo Rida, Pitbull, and Psy.

Prince, who received the icon award, closed the show with a melody of his jams in a turquoise and purple ensemble.

Madonna won top touring artist, dance artist, and dance album for “MDNA.” “Thank you for supporting me for three decades. Without you I truly wouldn’t be here,” she said.

Comedian-actor Tracy Morgan was the show’s host.

Arrested

Terminator 2 star Edward Furlong has been arrested on suspicion of violating a restraining order filed by his ex-girlfriend.

A Los Angeles sheriff’s spokesman said deputies responding to the scene Thursday in West Hollywood found Furlong hiding in a nearby property. Jail records show he was released Saturday after being held on $100,000 bail.

In March, the 35-year-old actor had been sentenced to six months in jail for violating his probation in a 2010 case for violating a similar restraining order. He has been the subject of such orders taken out by both his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend.

Injured

The leader of the reggae band Toots and the Maytals was injured when a 19-year-old man threw a bottle and hit the singer during a concert in Richmond.

Police said Sunday the man has been charged with aggravated assault. They did not identify him.

Frederick “Toots” Hibbert was treated at a hospital for a cut to his head and released.

Hibbert was hit by a glass bottle thrown from the crowd Saturday night as the band was performing at the Dominion Riverrock outdoor sports and music festival. The band stopped playing after he was hit.