Billboard Music Awards pay tribute to victims of school shootings

LAS VEGAS (AP) The 2018 Billboard Music Awards paid tribute to students and teachers affected by the deadly school shootings in Texas and Florida.

Kelly Clarkson, who hosted the awards, opened last night's show in honor of the 10 people who died Friday at Santa Fe High School.

She was barely able to speak as she urged the audience and the world to do more to prevent deadly shootings.

She said she was asked to hold a moment of silence, but chose instead to call for "a moment of action."

"Once again we're grieving for more kids that have died ... I'm so sick of moment of silences ... it's not working," she said, almost in tears. "Mommies and daddies should be able to send their kids to school."

Shawn Mendes and Khalid were joined onstage by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Show Choir for the song "Youth," a performance occurring three months after 17 people were killed at the school in Parkland, Florida.

Winners in top categories

- Top Hot 100 song: "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber

- Top Billboard 200 album: "DAMN." by Kendrick Lamar

- Top artist: Ed Sheeran

- Top new artist: Khalid

- Top female artist: Taylor Swift

- Top male artist: Ed Sheeran

- Top streaming songs artist: Kendrick Lamar

- Top song sales artist: Ed Sheeran

- Top radio songs artist: Ed Sheeran

- Top duo/group: Imagine Dragons

- Top R&B artist: Bruno Mars

- Top rap artist: Kendrick Lamar

- Top country artist: Chris Stapleton

- Top rock artist: Imagine Dragons

- Top Latin artist: Ozuna

- Top dance/electronic artist: The Chainsmokers

- Top Christian artist: MercyMe

- Top gospel artist: Tasha Cobbs Leonard

- Top social artist: BTS

- Top touring artist: U2

- Chart achievement award: Camila Cabello

- Icon award: Janet Jackson

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