Madonna honoured pop legend Prince by joining Stevie Wonder onstage to sing the classic Purple Rain at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night.
Wearing a purple outfit and sitting on a purple throne, Madonna kicked off the tribute with a version of Nothing Compares 2 U, which Prince wrote and Sinead O'Connor recorded. Video footage and photos of Prince were projected behind her as she sang.
Wonder, who wore a purple scarf, joined her for Purple Rain as the audience at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas sang along.
Prince died on April 21 at the age of 57.
Madonna collaborated with him on Love Song in 1989, but there was criticism online when Billboard announced she would be the one to pay homage to him.
The Weeknd, the night’s big winner with eight awards, dedicated an award to Prince and told the audience: “I love him so much. I didn’t know him, but he was so close to me. He will always be an inspiration.”
The Weeknd lost the big award – top artist – to Adele, who could not attend because she is on tour.
Celine Dion and Kesha gave emotional performances during the three-hour show.
Dion sang Queen's The Show Must Go On, backed by a powerful orchestra. The singer lost her husband and brother in the same week in January. Her son presented her with the Billboard icon award after her performance.
Kesha sang a heart-wrenching cover of Bob Dylan's It Ain't Me Babe, backed by a pianist and violinist, and growing teary-eyed near the end. She earned a standing ovation from the audience – after the performance was initially banned by former mentor, Dr Luke. The producer gave Kesha the approval to perform after she said she would not use the stage to discuss their ongoing lawsuit. They have been at odds since she accused of him of drugging, sexually abusing and emotionally tormenting her.
Other performances were not so strong: Justin Bieber sang his hits Company and Sorry with the help of a backing track.
Britney Spears – clearly lip synching – kicked off the show in a shimmery red number with a performance that featured several of her hits, including I'm a Slave 4 U and Toxic.
Demi Lovato's performance of Cool for the Summer, though, was among the night's best.
Pink also impressed singing her new song Just Like Fire. Ariana Grande and Rihanna – who won the fan-chosen Billboard chart achievement award – also showed off strong vocals.
Bieber was a double winner, including a win for top male artist, beating The Weeknd, Drake, Ed Sheeran and Fetty Wap.
Adele's 25 bested albums from Taylor Swift, Bieber, the Weeknd and Sheeran for top Billboard 200 album.
Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, rapper Wiz Khalifa, pop singer Charlie Puth, Twenty One Pilots, Walk the Moon and Hillsong United also won multiple awards. In a surprise win, Meek Mill's Dreams Worth More Than Money won top rap album.
* Associated Press
