Swift the red hot winner at Billboard awards

Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.

Swift won eight of 11 awards, 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 colourful 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 also 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 with 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 Adorn.

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, was less about the trophies — which reflect success on the Billboard charts — and more about the performances.

Selena Gomez sang her new hit, Come & Get It, while Chris Brown danced to his latest single, Fine China.

Prince, who received the icon award, closed the awards 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.