One word to describe the Billboard Music Awards was hopeful. There was something powerful about seeing a crowd of people (taking the necessary safety precautions) all huddled gathered outside the Staples Center — a reminder of the before times coming back in a post-COVID music scene. Of course, to add to the hopefulness was the fashion. While the BBMAs always takes a more casual vibe, the looks were still turned out! From soft spring colors to elaborate constructions, the red carpet was a playground for stars who, like all of us, can’t wait to be out and about again. Here are our favorite looks from the night.
Pink
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At the 2021 ceremony, Pink became the 10th-ever recipient of the coveted Billboard Icon Award. To walk the red carpet on her special night, Pink opted for a dress the color of her namesake — a tulle magenta long-sleeved dress with a cross-body wrap around the bust and a long, flowing skirt — reminiscent of the tricorn fabrics she wears when performing her unforgettable aerial routines.
Alicia Keys
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Alicia Keys performed a tribute to her 2001 studio album Songs in A Minor, including her song “Fallin,'” which spent more than 30 weeks on the Hot 100 Billboard Chart in 2001. To celebrate, Keys strutted down the runway in a custom Valentino ensemble consisting of a cropped bra shirt with flared dress pants and an oversized off-the-shoulder coat with train, all in the same shade of bright pink.Â
Gabrielle Union
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Gabrielle Union presented the award for Top-Selling Song, won by BTS for their hit, “Dynamite.” For this honor, Union donned a custom floor-length white Prada gown, which made headlines for its material — it was entirely covered in white sequins. Â
Saweetie
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Saweetie was nominated for the coveted Top Female Artist award. She wore a haute couture peach gown from Giambattista Valli, the architect of circular dresses. The dress featured a high-low silhouette and pink flower details at the waistline and was so well received that it made Saweetie a trending topic on social media platforms.Â
Gabby Barrett
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Former American Idol contestant and rising country star Gabby Barrett took home not one but three Billboard Music Awards — one for Best Country Female Artist, one for Best Country Song, and one for Best Collaboration for her song “I Hope” featuring Charlie Puth. To accept these honors, she wore a gold Nicolas Jebran dress, which draped beautifully across her shoulder and had an embroidered train that was so long, her husband accompanied her on stage to arrange it around her.
Megan Fox
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Attending the ceremony to support her beau, Machine Gun Kelly, who took home the award for Best Rock Album for Tickets to My Downfall, Megan Fox, as always, came to stun. Fox walked the red carpet fashioned in one of the most hot ticket clothing pieces of this fashion season, a Mugler body suit, which has cutouts around the hips and her navel. Different versions of the suit were previously worn by Dua Lipa at her Studio 2054 performance and Doja Cat in her music video for “Streets.”
Doja Cat
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Doja Cat was nominated for five awards this year, including Best New Artist and Best R&B Song for her viral hit “Say So.” She took home the BBMA award for Best R&B Female Artist. She wore a black and white ensemble from fashion house Balmain, consisting of a bralette top with larger-than-life sleeves and matching fitted pants. Â
Bad Bunny
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Bad Bunny went viral earlier this month for being one of the first artists to announce a post-COVID tour. At this year’s BBMAs, he was honored with Best Latin Album for Oasis and Best Latin Artist. To accept his awards, he was clad in a brilliant long leather coat, black slacks, and shirt, along with with pointed-toe shoes and his signature glasses. In his speech for Best Latin Artist, he encouraged everyone listening to be kind to one another, because “it’s free and you don’t know what others are going through.”Â