The 2020 Billboard charts saw no shortage of Pop hitmakers Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, and Ariana Grande as the trio of acts respectively dominated the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 with their slew of hits.
Yet despite their individual accomplishments, all three left the 2021 Billboard Music Awards empty-handed.
Thanks to ‘Yummy,’ ‘Intentions,’ and other hits found aboard his fifth chart-topping album, 2020’s ‘Changes,’ Bieber entered the 2021 Billboard Music Awards with five nominations (Top R&B Song, Top R&B Male, Top Radio Songs, Top Song Sales Artist, and Top R&B Artist). Before the ceremony even began, he’d lost four of the five trophies to fellow Canadian singer The Weeknd. Later, the Top Song Sales Artist trophy went to BTS.
It’s also worth noting that Justin owns the record for most career BBMA wins among male vocalists. By the end of the night, The Weeknd stands to break said record.
Dua dominated sales and streaming charts with ‘Don’t Start Now,’ ‘Levitating,’ and ‘Break My Heart’ from her hotly-selling 2020 album, ‘Future Nostalgia’ – a feat her fans were sure would land BBMAs in her future.
Nominated for four trophies at the 2021 ceremony (Top Female Artist, Top Radio Song, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist), Lipa left without one.
Ariana Grande netted three Hot 100 #1 singles in 2020 – ‘Rain on Me’ (with Lady Gaga), ‘Stuck With U’ (with Justin Bieber), and ‘Positions’ (by her lonesome) – along with the #1 album ‘Position.’
Despite entering the 2021 Billboard Music Awards with 3 nods, her total career wins – 2 – remains unchanged.