Nick Jonas, Matt Walsh, Brittany Snow and Elisabeth Shue in “The Good Half” (Photo courtesy of The Ranch Productions)
“The Good Half”
Directed by Robert Schwartzman
Culture Representation: Taking place in Cleveland, Ohio, the comedy/drama film “The Good Half” features a predominantly white cast of characters (with a few African Americans and Latinos) representing the working-class and middle-class.
Culture Clash: A 28-year-old aspiring comedy screenwriter returns to his hometown of Cleveland, as he struggles with grief over his mother’s death, as well as tensions with his sister and his stepfather.
Culture Audience: “The Good Half” will appeal primarily to people who are fans of the movie’s headliners and comedy/dramas about complicated family relationships and the effects that a terminal illness has on a family.
Nick Jonas and Alexandra Shipp in “The Good Half” (Photo courtesy of The Ranch Productions)
In the comedy/drama film “The Good Half,” the movie’s “good half” is the latter half, which shows the most emotional depth. Led by Nick Jonas’ admirable performance, it’s a capably acted story about grief, hope and family tensions. “The Good Half” had its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Festival.
Directed by Robert Schwartzman and written by Brett Ryland, “The Good Half” jumps back and forth in the story’s timeline to show life in a family before and after the death of the clan’s matriarch. The movie (which takes place in Cleveland, Ohio) is told from the perspective of her son, who had a close relationship with his mother as a child, but as an adult, he drifted apart from the family after he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a comedy screenwriter. In some ways, “The Good Half” resembles a sitcom with a serious side, but the movie improves when it starts to dig deeper into some realistic family dynamics.
“The Good Half” opens with a flashback scene that takes place when protagonist Renn Wheeland (played by Mason Cufari) is 9 years old and with his neurotic mother Lily Wheeland (played by Elisabeth Shue) near a shopping area. Renn is upset because Lily accidentally left him in a store and didn’t return until about two hours later. A remorseful Lily promises Renn that she will never leave him in a store again. This childhood memory is brought up again later in one of the movie’s most emotionally intense scenes.
Renn (played by Jonas) is now 28 years old and somewhat estranged from his family. He has returned home to Cleveland because Lily has died of a terminal illness. (“The Good Half” was actually filmed in New Jersey and Los Angeles.) On the plane to Cleveland, Renn has a “meet cute” moment with a psychotherapist named Zoey (played by Alexandra Shipp), who tells Renn that she’s visiting Cleveland for a psychotherapist convention. Renn tells a partial lie of omission by saying to Zoey that he’s going to Cleveland for a family reunion. He leaves out the detail that the reunion is under the sad circumstances that it’s for his mother’s funeral.
There’s another airplane passenger sitting in between Renn and Zoey, who have a friendly and flirtatious conversation, while the man in the middle looks slightly uncomfortable. Zoey says that she’s afraid of flying. She jokes that she wishes their flight would turn into the 1997 airplane hijack movie “Con Air.” Zoey adds that all the action movies of the 1990s are great films.
Zoey is very talkative and curious. She asks a lot of questions and finds out from Renn that he is an available bachelor. Renn is a little more guarded and won’t disclose much about himself, except basic information, such as Cleveland is where he was born and raised. After the airplane lands, Zoey and Renn exchange phone numbers, because it’s obvious that they feel an attraction to each other.
When Renn takes a rideshare from the airport, he tells the driver to take the longest way to the destination. It’s an obvious sign that Renn is dreading seeing his family again. Renn has a cordial but emotionally distant relationship with his father Darren Wheeland (played by Matt Walsh), who is mild-mannered and easygoing. Darren and Lily got divorced years ago. Darren has not remarried, and he lives by himself.
Renn’s relationship with his married older sister Leigh (played by Brittany Snow) is much more volatile. Leigh is an uptight control freak who has deep resentment toward Renn for a number of reasons. One of the things she’s angry about is that Renn avoided her numerous attempts to contact him when she needed Renn to help make decisions about their mother’s funeral and other after-death arrangements. It also irritates her that Renn doesn’t seem to care about keeping in touch with anyone in his family.
For now, things will be awkward between Renn and Leigh because he’s staying at the house of Leigh and her husband (who doesn’t say much and barely in the movie) while Renn is visiting Cleveland. On the evening that Renn was supposed to arrive in Cleveland, Leigh had a get-together of Lily’s friends and colleagues. However, Renn showed up too late, and everyone has already left.
“We had a lot of people over here paying their respects,” says a grim-faced Leigh, who can barely hide her disgust that Renn was late. “I’m sorry you missed them.” Renn replies sullenly, “I’m not.” There will be more tension-filled scenes like this between this brother and sister, until the inevitable emotional confrontation where long-held resentments erupt to the surface. Renn and Leigh’s big reckoning with each other has more sorrow than anger.
Renn and Leigh don’t agree on a lot, but there’s one thing that Renn, Leigh and their father all agree on: Lily’s second husband Rick Barona (played by David Arquette) is an annoying jerk. Rick is legally considered Lily’s next of kin, so he’s made a lot of decisions about the funeral that Renn is sure that Lily would not have wanted. Lily wanted to be cremated, but Rick has arranged for her to buried. Lily was Jewish, but Rick has arranged for a Catholic priest to officiate at the funeral.
“The Good Half” has a very effective subplot about the eulogy part of the funeral service. The eulogy is symbolic of the power struggles and disagreements in the family over how Lily wanted to be remembered at her funeral. Needless to say, Rick has very different ideas from what Renn thinks should be said in the family’s eulogies.
Rick wants to hire his eccentric spiritual guru Father Dan (played by Stephen Park), who never met Lily, to officiate the funeral and help family members craft their eulogies. (Father Dan, who teaches piano lessons to children out of his cluttered and messy house, doesn’t appear to be a real ordained priest.) Leigh and Darren try not to get into confrontations with Rick, but Renn has no such qualms. Rick wasn’t exactly a devoted husband during the last months of Lily’s life. And you can bet that the question over who really cared about Lily the most will come up in any arguments between Rick and Renn.
There’s a lot of family drama in “The Good Half,” but the movie seamlessly includes the subplot about Renn and Zoey’s possible romance, which is where some (but not all) of the movie’s comic relief occurs. Renn and Zoey see each other again when he calls her and invites her to meet up with him in a bar. Zoey eventually reveals that she has her own personal issues: She’s going through a divorce.
Zoey says that one of the reasons why she broke up with her soon-to-be ex-husband is because he cheated on her. The Zoey/Renn relationship starts off looking very formulaic. But to the credit of “The Good Half” filmmakers, not everything about this possible romance is predictable.
Anchoring the emotional center of the film is Jonas’ memorable performance as Renn, who is more devastated by Lily’s death than he cares to admit. Shue’s performance as Lily in the flashback scenes is heartfelt and compelling. Lily had her share of quirks (including a habit of stealing table utensils every time she went to a restaurant), but there’s no doubt that she truly loved her children, and they loved her.
In one of the flashback scenes, Renn is spending time with Lily, and he knows that she’s in an unhappy marriage with Rick. Renn advises Lily to end the marriage, and he offers to move back to Cleveland to help her with the divorce. It’s an offer that Lily firmly declines because she says that Renn shouldn’t interrupt his life because of her own personal problems.
And then, Lily blurts out the real reason why she doesn’t want to divorce Rick: “I’ll be a 56-year-old, twice-divorced woman living in Cleveland.” It’s a simple sentence, but it speaks volumes about how some women of a certain age feel when society often treats them like their age is an expiration date for desirability.
“The Good Half” has expected tearjerking moments in scenes showing Lily’s medical treatment and the effects that her illness have on Lily and her loved ones. Despite this depressing part of the movie, “The Good Half” still brings moments of comedic whimsy—some of it is better-placed than others. A subplot about breaking into a home looks very much like it belongs in a sitcom; it turns out to be a set-up to end the scene in a sentimental way.
The movie fares much better with its drama, which is the basis for the best scenes in “The Good Half.” A heart-wrenching monologue by Renn has a line in it that explains why the movie has this title. Does “The Good Half” get a little too sappy in the drama and a little too cutesy in the comedy? Sure, it does. But these are minor flaws that don’t get in the way of this mostly authentic-looking story of how a family can be ripped apart or can come together because of grief.
UPDATE: Utopia Films and Fathom Events will release “The Good Half” in U.S. cinemas for a limited engagement on July 23 and July 25, 2024.
The following is a combination of press releases from Dick Clark Productions and NBC:
Dick Clark Productions and NBC announced the finalists for the “2021 Billboard Music Awards” (BBMA), which honor the year’s most successful artists in 51 categories across all genres of music. The annual live broadcast showcases spectacular performances, unexpected collaborations, buzzworthy pop culture moments that keeps fans talking all year, and the prestigious ICON Award, which honors record-breaking artists and their impact on music. The BBMAs will broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC. Multi-platinum recording artist, actor and current “Voice” coach Nick Jonas is set to host the “2021 Billboard Music Awards” (BBMA).
“The List Live” Finalist Announcement:
Finalists were revealed during the exclusive live stream “The List Live,” hosted by Access Hollywood’s Zuri Hall and comedian LaLa Milan, and aired on BBMAs, Billboard, E!, and NBC social media pages earlier this morning.
Some of the biggest names in music, pop culture, and fashion stopped by to announce this year’s finalists.
Presenters included: Anitta, FINNEAS, Luis Fonsi, Rob Gronkowski, Paris Hilton, Leslie Jordan, Tate McRae, and Jay Pharoah. Watch the replay HERE.
2021 BBMA Finalist Highlights:
The Weeknd leads the pack as a finalist in 16 categories, including Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, and Top Song Sales Artist. His 2020 album After Hours received multiple nods, including Top Billboard 200 Album and Top R&B Album, with the hit single “Blinding Lights” recognized in five categories.
DaBaby is the second-top finalist (11), including recognition for the Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Rap Artist, and Top Rap Album categories. He is also a multi-finalist in the Top Streaming Song category for “Rockstar” and “Whats Poppin,” and could take home his first BBMA trophy.
Late rappers Pop Smokeand Juice WRLDreceived multiple honors, marking the first time in a decade that two of the top ten finalists received posthumous recognition. Pop Smoke is a finalist in 10 categories, including Top Billboard 200 Album for his posthumously released debut album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon; while Juice WRLD is a finalist in seven categories, including Top Rap Album for Legends Never Die.
“I Hope” singer Gabby Barrett is a first-time finalist and achieved nods in nine categories, including Top New Artist, becoming the female artist with the most nods this year.
Megan Thee Stallion is the female artist with the second-most nods this year with seven, including Top Female Artist and Top Rap Female Artist. She could receive her first ever BBMA at this year’s show.
This year’s awards are based on the chart period of March 21, 2020 through April 3, 2021. “Billboard Music Awards” finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data. Fan-voted categories include Top Social Artist and Top Collaboration.
For more than 30 years, the BBMAs has celebrated music’s greatest achievements, honoring the hottest names in music today. Unique among music awards shows, finalists are determined by performance on the Billboard Charts. Since 1940, the Billboard Charts have been the go-to guide for ranking the popularity of artists, songs and albums, and are the ultimate measure of success in music.
The “2021 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Barry Adelman and Robert Deaton are executive producers.
About Dick Clark Productions: Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. dcp is part of MRC Live & Alternative, a division of diversified global entertainment company MRC. For additional information, visit www.mrcentertainment.com.
THE “2021 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS” FINALISTS:
FINALISTS BY CATEGORY
ARTIST AWARDS
Top Artist Drake Juice WRLD Pop Smoke Taylor Swift The Weeknd
Top New Artist Gabby Barrett Doja Cat Jack Harlow Pop Smoke Rod Wave
Top Male Artist Drake Juice WRLD Lil Baby Pop Smoke The Weeknd
Top Female Artist Billie Eilish Ariana Grande Dua Lipa Megan Thee Stallion Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group AC/DC AJR BTS Dan + Shay Maroon 5
Top Billboard 200 Artist Drake Juice WRLD Pop Smoke Post Malone Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist DaBaby Drake Dua Lipa Pop Smoke The Weeknd
Top Streaming Songs Artist DaBaby Drake Lil Baby Pop Smoke The Weeknd
Top Song Sales Artist Justin Bieber BTS Megan Thee Stallion *Morgan Wallen The Weeknd
Top Radio Songs Artist Justin Bieber Lewis Capaldi Dua Lipa Harry Styles The Weeknd
Top Social Artist (Fan Voted) BLACKPINK BTS Ariana Grande SB19 Seventeen
Top R&B Artist Jhené Aiko Justin Bieber Chris Brown Doja Cat The Weeknd
Top R&B Male Artist Justin Bieber Chris Brown The Weeknd
Top R&B Female Artist Jhené Aiko Doja Cat SZA
Top Rap Artist DaBaby Drake Juice WRLD Lil Baby Pop Smoke
Top Rap Male Artist Juice WRLD Lil Baby Pop Smoke
Top Rap Female Artist Cardi B Megan Thee Stallion Saweetie
Top Country Artist Gabby Barrett Kane Brown Luke Combs Chris Stapleton *Morgan Wallen
Top Country Male Artist Luke Combs Chris Stapleton *Morgan Wallen
Top Country Female Artist Gabby Barrett Maren Morris Carrie Underwood
Top Country Duo/Group Dan + Shay Florida Georgia Line Maddie & Tae
Top Rock Artist AC/DC AJR Five Finger Death Punch Machine Gun Kelly twenty one pilots
Top Latin Artist Anuel AA Bad Bunny J Balvin Maluma Ozuna
Top Latin Male Artist Bad Bunny J Balvin Ozuna
Top Latin Female Artist Becky G Karol G Rosalía
Top Latin Duo/Group Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga Eslabón Armado Los Dos Carnales
Top Dance/Electronic Artist The Chainsmokers Kygo Lady Gaga Marshmello Surf Mesa
Top Christian Artist Casting Crowns Elevation Worship for KING & COUNTRY Carrie Underwood Zach Williams
Top Gospel Artist Kirk Franklin Koryn Hawthorne Tasha Cobbs Leonard Maverick City Music Kanye West
ALBUM AWARDS
Top Billboard 200 Album Juice WRLD “Legends Never Die” Lil Baby “My Turn” Pop Smoke “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon” Taylor Swift “folklore” The Weeknd “After Hours”
Top R&B Album Jhené Aiko “Chilombo” Chris Brown & Young Thug “Slime & B” Doja Cat “Hot Pink” Kehlani “It Was Good Until It Wasn’t” The Weeknd “After Hours”
Top Rap Album DaBaby “BLAME IT ON BABY” Juice WRLD “Legends Never Die” Lil Baby “My Turn” Lil Uzi Vert “Eternal Atake” Pop Smoke “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon”
Top Country Album Gabby Barrett “Goldmine” Sam Hunt “SOUTHSIDE” Chris Stapleton “Starting Over” Carrie Underwood “My Gift” *Morgan Wallen “Dangerous: The Double Album”
Top Rock Album AC/DC “Power Up” Miley Cyrus “Plastic Hearts” Glass Animals “Dreamland” Machine Gun Kelly “Tickets to My Downfall” Bruce Springsteen “Letter to You”
Top Latin Album Anuel AA “Emmanuel” Bad Bunny “El Último Tour Del Mundo” Bad Bunny “Las que no iban a salir” Bad Bunny “YHLQMDLG” J Balvin “Colores”
Top Dance/Electronic Album DJ Snake “Carte Blanche” Gryffin “Gravity” Kygo “Golden Hour” Lady Gaga “Chromatica” Kylie Minogue “Disco”
Top Christian Album Bethel Music “Peace” Elevation Worship “Grave Into Gardens” Carrie Underwood “My Gift” We The Kingdom “Holy Water” Zach Williams “Rescue Story”
Top Gospel Album Koryn Hawthorne “I AM” Tasha Cobbs Leonard “Royalty: Live at the Ryman” Maverick City Music “Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 1” Maverick City Music “Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 2” Kierra Sheard “Kierra”
SONG AWARDS
Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar 24kGoldn ft. iann dior “Mood” Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth “I Hope” Chris Brown & Young Thug “Go Crazy” DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch “ROCKSTAR” The Weeknd “Blinding Lights”
Top Streaming Song Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion “WAP” DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch “ROCKSTAR” Future ft. Drake “Life Is Good” Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, & Lil Wayne “WHATS POPPIN” The Weeknd “Blinding Lights”
Top Selling Song Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth “I Hope” BTS “Dynamite” Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion “WAP” Megan Thee Stallion “Savage” The Weeknd “Blinding Lights”
Top Radio Song Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth “I Hope” Chris Brown & Young Thug “Go Crazy” Dua Lipa “Don’t Start Now” Harry Styles “Adore You” The Weeknd “Blinding Lights”
Top Collaboration (Fan Voted) 24kGoldn ft. iann dior “Mood” Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth “I Hope” Chris Brown & Young Thug “Go Crazy” DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch “ROCKSTAR” Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, & Lil Wayne “WHATS POPPIN”
Top R&B Song Jhené Aiko ft. H.E.R. “B.S.” Justin Bieber ft. Quavo “Intentions” Chris Brown & Young Thug “Go Crazy” Doja Cat “Say So” The Weeknd “Blinding Lights”
Top Rap Song 24kGoldn ft. iann dior “Mood” Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion “WAP” DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch “ROCKSTAR” Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, & Lil Wayne “WHATS POPPIN” Megan Thee Stallion “Savage”
Top Country Song Jason Aldean “Got What I Got” Gabby Barrett “I Hope” Lee Brice “One of Them Girls” *Morgan Wallen “Chasin’ You” *Morgan Wallen “More Than My Hometown”
Top Rock Song AJR “Bang!” All Time Low ft. blackbear “Monsters” Glass Animals “Heat Waves” Machine Gun Kelly ft. blackbear “my ex’s best friend” twenty one pilots “Level of Concern”
Top Latin Song Bad Bunny “Yo Perreo Sola” Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez “Dákiti” Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin “RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)” Maluma & The Weeknd “Hawái” Ozuna x Karol G x Myke Towers “Caramelo”
Top Dance/Electronic Song Lady Gaga “Stupid Love” Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande “Rain on Me” SAINt JHN “Roses (Imanbek Remix)” Surf Mesa ft. Emilee “ily (i love you baby)” Topic & A7S “Breaking Me”
Top Christian Song Elevation Worship ft. Brandon Lake “Graves Into Gardens” for KING & COUNTRY, Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly “TOGETHER” Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, & Elevation Worship “The Blessing (Live)” Tauren Wells ft. Jenn Johnson “Famous For (I Believe)” Zach Williams & Dolly Parton “There Was Jesus”
Top Gospel Song Koryn Hawthorne “Speak To Me” Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music “Movin’ On” Marvin Sapp “Thank You For It All” Tye Tribbett “We Gon’ Be Alright” Kanye West ft. Travis Scott “Wash Us In The Blood”
FINALISTS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (BY FIRST NAME):
24kGoldn (3): Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song A7S (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song AC/DC (3): Top Duo/Group; Top Rock Artist; Top Rock Album AJR (3): Top Duo/Group; Top Rock Artist; Top Rock Song All Time Low (1): Top Rock Song Anuel AA (2): Top Latin Artist; Top Latin Album Ariana Grande (3): Top Female Artist; Top Social Artist (Fan Voted); Top Dance/Electronic Song Bad Bunny (7): Top Latin Artist; Top Latin Male Artist; Top Latin Album (x3); Top Latin Song (x2) Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga (1): Top Latin Duo/Group Becky G (1): Top Latin Female Artist Bethel Music (1): Top Christian Album Billie Eilish (1): Top Female Artist Black Eyed Peas (1): Top Latin Song blackbear (2): Top Rock Song (x2) BLACKPINK (1): Top Social Artist (Fan Voted) Brandon Lake (1): Top Christian Song Bruce Springsteen (1): Top Rock Album BTS (4): Top Duo/Group; Top Song Sales Artist; Top Social Artist (Fan Voted); Top Selling Song Cardi B (4): Top Rap Female Artist; Top Streaming Song; Top Selling Song; Top Rap Song Carrie Underwood (4): Top Country Female Artist; Top Country Album; Top Christian Album; Top Christian Artist Casting Crowns (1): Top Christian Artist Charlie Puth (4): Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Selling Song; Top Radio Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted) Chris Brown (7): Top R&B Artist; Top R&B Male Artist; Top R&B Album; Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Radio Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top R&B Song Chris Stapleton (3): Top Country Artist; Top Country Male Artist; Top Country Album Cody Carnes (1): Top Christian Song DaBaby (11): Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Streaming Songs Artist; Top Rap Artist; Top Rap Album; Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Streaming Song (x2); Top Collaboration (Fan Voted) (x2); Top Rap Song; Top R&B Song Dan + Shay (2): Top Duo/Group; Top Country Duo/Group DJ Snake (1): Top Dance/Electronic Album Doja Cat (5): Top New Artist; Top R&B Artist; Top R&B Female Artist; Top R&B Album; Top R&B Song Dolly Parton (1): Top Christian Song Drake (7): Top Radio Song; Top Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Artist; Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Streaming Songs Artist; Top Rap Artist; Top Streaming Song Dua Lipa (4): Top Female Artist; Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Radio Songs Artist; Top Radio Song Elevation Worship (4): Top Christian Artist; Top Christian Album; Top Christian Song (x2) Emilee (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Eslabón Armado (1): Top Latin Duo/Group Five Finger Death Punch (1): Top Rock Artist Florida Georgia Line (1): Top Country Duo/Group for KING & COUNTRY (2): Top Christian Artist; Top Christian Song Future (1): Top Streaming Song Gabby Barrett (9): Top New Artist; Top Country Artist; Top Country Female Artist; Top Country Album; Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Selling Song; Top Radio Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Country Song Glass Animals (2): Top Rock Album; Top Rock Song Gryffin (1): Top Dance/Electronic Album H.E.R. (1): Top R&B Song Harry Styles (2): Top Radio Songs Artist; Top Radio Song iann dior (3): Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song J Balvin (4): Top Latin Artist; Top Latin Male Artist; Top Latin Album; Top Latin Song Jack Harlow (4): Top New Artist; Top Streaming Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song Jason Aldean (1): Top Country Song Jenn Johnson (1): Top Christian Song Jhay Cortez (1): Top Latin Song Jhené Aiko (4): Top R&B Artist; Top R&B Female Artist; Top R&B Album; Top R&B Song Jonathan McReynolds (1): Top Gospel Song Juice WRLD (7): Top Artist; Top Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Artist; Top Rap Artist; Top Rap Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album; Top Rap Album Justin Bieber (5): Top Song Sales Artist; Top Radio Songs Artist; Top R&B Artist; Top R&B Male Artist; Top R&B Song Kane Brown (1): Top Country Artist Kanye West (2): Top Gospel Artist; Top Gospel Song Kari Jobe (1): Top Christian Song Karol G (2): Top Latin Female Artist; Top Latin Song Kehlani (1): Top R&B Album Kierra Sheard (1): Top Gospel Album Kirk Franklin (1): Top Gospel Artist Koryn Hawthorne (3): Top Gospel Artist; Top Gospel Album; Top Gospel Song Kygo (2): Top Dance/Electronic Artist; Top Dance/Electronic Album Kylie Minogue (1): Top Dance/Electronic Album Lady Gaga (4): Top Dance/Electronic Artist; Top Dance/Electronic Album; Top Dance/Electronic Song (x2) Lee Brice (1): Top Country Song Lewis Capaldi (1): Top Radio Songs Artist Lil Baby (6): Top Male Artist; Top Streaming Songs Artist; Top Rap Artist; Top Rap Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album; Top Rap Album Lil Uzi Vert (1): Top Rap Album Lil Wayne (3): Top Streaming Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song Los Dos Carnales (1): Top Latin Duo/Group Luke Combs (2): Top Country Artist; Top Country Male Artist Machine Gun Kelly (3): Top Rock Artist; Top Rock Album; Top Rock Song Maddie & Tae (1): Top Country Duo/Group Mali Music (1): Top Gospel Song Maluma (2): Top Latin Artist; Top Latin Song Maren Morris (1): Top Country Female Artist Maroon 5 (1): Top Duo/Group Marshmello (1): Top Dance/Electronic Artist Marvin Sapp (1): Top Gospel Song Maverick City Music (3): Top Gospel Artist; Top Gospel Album (x2) Megan Thee Stallion (7): Top Female Artist; Top Song Sales Artist; Top Rap Female Artist; Top Streaming Song; Top Selling Song; Top Rap Song (x2) Miley Cyrus (1): Top Rock Album *Morgan Wallen (6): Top Song Sales Artist; Top Country Artist; Top Country Male Artist; Top Country Album; Top Country Song (x2) Myke Towers (1): Top Latin Song Ozuna (3): Top Latin Artist; Top Latin Male Artist; Top Latin Song Pop Smoke (10): Top Artist; Top New Artist; Top Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Artist; Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Streaming Songs Artist; Top Rap Artist; Top Rap Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album; Top Rap Album Post Malone (1): Top Billboard 200 Artist Quavo (1): Top R&B Song Rod Wave (1): Top New Artist Roddy Ricch (4): Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Streaming Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song Rosalía (1): Top Latin Female Artist SAINt JHN (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Sam Hunt (1): Top Country Album Saweetie (1): Top Rap Female Artist SB19 (1): Top Social Artist (Fan Voted) Seventeen (1): Top Social Artist (Fan Voted) Surf Mesa (2): Top Dance/Electronic Artist; Top Dance/Electronic Song SZA (1): Top R&B Female Artist Tasha Cobbs Leonard (2): Top Gospel Artist; Top Gospel Album Tauren Wells (1): Top Christian Song Taylor Swift (4): Top Artist; Top Female Artist; Top Billboard 200 Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album The Chainsmokers (1): Top Dance/Electronic Artist The Weeknd (16): Top Artist; Top Male Artist; Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Streaming Songs Artist; Top Song Sales Artist; Top Radio Songs Artist; Top R&B Artist; Top R&B Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album; Top R&B Album; Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Streaming Song; Top Selling Song; Top Radio Song; Top R&B Song; Top Latin Song Topic (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Tori Kelly (1): Top Christian Song Tory Lanez (3): Top Streaming Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song Travis Scott (1): Top Gospel Song twenty one pilots (2): Top Rock Artist; Top Rock Song Tye Tribbett (1): Top Gospel Song We The Kingdom (1): Top Christian Album Young Thug (4): Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Radio Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top R&B Song Zach Williams (3): Top Christian Artist; Top Christian Album; Top Christian Song
FINALISTS BY NUMERICAL ORDER:
The Weeknd (16): Top Artist; Top Male Artist; Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Streaming Songs Artist; Top Song Sales Artist; Top Radio Songs Artist; Top R&B Artist; Top R&B Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album; Top R&B Album; Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Streaming Song; Top Selling Song; Top Radio Song; Top R&B Song; Top Latin Song DaBaby (11): Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Streaming Songs Artist; Top Rap Artist; Top Rap Album; Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Streaming Song (x2); Top Collaboration (Fan Voted) (x2); Top Rap Song; Top R&B Song Pop Smoke (10): Top Artist; Top New Artist; Top Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Artist; Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Streaming Songs Artist; Top Rap Artist; Top Rap Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album; Top Rap Album Gabby Barrett (9): Top New Artist; Top Country Artist; Top Country Female Artist; Top Country Album; Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Selling Song; Top Radio Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Country Song Bad Bunny (7): Top Latin Artist; Top Latin Male Artist; Top Latin Album (x3); Top Latin Song (x2) Chris Brown (7): Top R&B Artist; Top R&B Male Artist; Top R&B Album; Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Radio Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top R&B Song Drake (7): Top Radio Song; Top Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Artist; Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Streaming Songs Artist; Top Rap Artist; Top Streaming Song Juice WRLD (7): Top Artist; Top Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Artist; Top Rap Artist; Top Rap Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album; Top Rap Album Megan Thee Stallion (7): Top Female Artist; Top Song Sales Artist; Top Rap Female Artist; Top Streaming Song; Top Selling Song; Top Rap Song (x2) Lil Baby (6): Top Male Artist; Top Streaming Songs Artist; Top Rap Artist; Top Rap Male Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album; Top Rap Album *Morgan Wallen (6): Top Song Sales Artist; Top Country Artist; Top Country Male Artist; Top Country Album; Top Country Song (x2) Doja Cat (5): Top New Artist; Top R&B Artist; Top R&B Female Artist; Top R&B Album; Top R&B Song Justin Bieber (5): Top Song Sales Artist; Top Radio Songs Artist; Top R&B Artist; Top R&B Male Artist; Top R&B Song BTS (4): Top Duo/Group; Top Song Sales Artist; Top Social Artist (Fan Voted); Top Selling Song Cardi B (4): Top Rap Female Artist; Top Streaming Song; Top Selling Song; Top Rap Song Carrie Underwood (4): Top Country Female Artist; Top Country Album; Top Christian Album; Top Christian Artist Charlie Puth (4): Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Selling Song; Top Radio Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted) Dua Lipa (4): Top Female Artist; Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Radio Songs Artist; Top Radio Song Elevation Worship (4): Top Christian Artist; Top Christian Album; Top Christian Song (x2) J Balvin (4): Top Latin Artist; Top Latin Male Artist; Top Latin Album; Top Latin Song Jack Harlow (4): Top New Artist; Top Streaming Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song Jhené Aiko (4): Top R&B Artist; Top R&B Female Artist; Top R&B Album; Top R&B Song Lady Gaga (4): Top Dance/Electronic Artist; Top Dance/Electronic Album; Top Dance/Electronic Song (x2) Roddy Ricch (4): Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Streaming Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song Taylor Swift (4): Top Artist; Top Female Artist; Top Billboard 200 Artist; Top Billboard 200 Album Young Thug (4): Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Radio Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top R&B Song 24kGoldn (3): Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song AC/DC (3): Top Duo/Group; Top Rock Artist; Top Rock Album AJR (3): Top Duo/Group; Top Rock Artist; Top Rock Song Ariana Grande (3): Top Female Artist; Top Social Artist (Fan Voted); Top Dance/Electronic Song Chris Stapleton (3): Top Country Artist; Top Country Male Artist; Top Country Album iann dior (3): Top Hot 100 Song Presented by Rockstar; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song Koryn Hawthorne (3): Top Gospel Artist; Top Gospel Album; Top Gospel Song Lil Wayne (3): Top Streaming Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song Machine Gun Kelly (3): Top Rock Artist; Top Rock Album; Top Rock Song Maverick City Music (3): Top Gospel Artist; Top Gospel Album (x2) Ozuna (3): Top Latin Artist; Top Latin Male Artist; Top Latin Song Tory Lanez (3): Top Streaming Song; Top Collaboration (Fan Voted); Top Rap Song Zach Williams (3): Top Christian Artist; Top Christian Album; Top Christian Song Anuel AA (2): Top Latin Artist; Top Latin Album blackbear (2): Top Rock Song (x2) Dan + Shay (2): Top Duo/Group; Top Country Duo/Group for KING & COUNTRY (2): Top Christian Artist; Top Christian Song Glass Animals (2): Top Rock Album; Top Rock Song Harry Styles (2): Top Radio Songs Artist; Top Radio Song Kanye West (2): Top Gospel Artist; Top Gospel Song Karol G (2): Top Latin Female Artist; Top Latin Song Kygo (2): Top Dance/Electronic Artist; Top Dance/Electronic Album Luke Combs (2): Top Country Artist; Top Country Male Artist Maluma (2): Top Latin Artist; Top Latin Song Surf Mesa (2): Top Dance/Electronic Artist; Top Dance/Electronic Song Tasha Cobbs Leonard (2): Top Gospel Artist; Top Gospel Album twenty one pilots (2): Top Rock Artist; Top Rock Song A7S (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song All Time Low (1): Top Rock Song Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga (1): Top Latin Duo/Group Becky G (1): Top Latin Female Artist Bethel Music (1): Top Christian Album Billie Eilish (1): Top Female Artist Black Eyed Peas (1): Top Latin Song BLACKPINK (1): Top Social Artist (Fan Voted) Brandon Lake (1): Top Christian Song Bruce Springsteen (1): Top Rock Album Casting Crowns (1): Top Christian Artist Cody Carnes (1): Top Christian Song DJ Snake (1): Top Dance/Electronic Album Dolly Parton (1): Top Christian Song Emilee (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Eslabón Armado (1): Top Latin Duo/Group Five Finger Death Punch (1): Top Rock Artist Florida Georgia Line (1): Top Country Duo/Group Future (1): Top Streaming Song Gryffin (1): Top Dance/Electronic Album H.E.R. (1): Top R&B Song Jason Aldean (1): Top Country Song Jenn Johnson (1): Top Christian Song Jhay Cortez (1): Top Latin Song Jonathan McReynolds (1): Top Gospel Song Kane Brown (1): Top Country Artist Kari Jobe (1): Top Christian Song Kehlani (1): Top R&B Album Kierra Sheard (1): Top Gospel Album Kirk Franklin (1): Top Gospel Artist Kylie Minogue (1): Top Dance/Electronic Album Lee Brice (1): Top Country Song Lewis Capaldi (1): Top Radio Songs Artist Lil Uzi Vert (1): Top Rap Album Los Dos Carnales (1): Top Latin Duo/Group Maddie & Tae (1): Top Country Duo/Group Mali Music (1): Top Gospel Song Maren Morris (1): Top Country Female Artist Maroon 5 (1): Top Duo/Group Marshmello (1): Top Dance/Electronic Artist Marvin Sapp (1): Top Gospel Song Miley Cyrus (1): Top Rock Album Myke Towers (1): Top Latin Song Post Malone (1): Top Billboard 200 Artist Quavo (1): Top R&B Song Rod Wave (1): Top New Artist Rosalía (1): Top Latin Female Artist SAINt JHN (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Sam Hunt (1): Top Country Album Saweetie (1): Top Rap Female Artist SB19 (1): Top Social Artist (Fan Voted) Seventeen (1): Top Social Artist (Fan Voted) SZA (1): Top R&B Female Artist Tauren Wells (1): Top Christian Song The Chainsmokers (1): Top Dance/Electronic Artist Topic (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Tori Kelly (1): Top Christian Song Travis Scott (1): Top Gospel Song Tye Tribbett (1): Top Gospel Song We The Kingdom (1): Top Christian Album
*Statement on behalf of dick clark productions
Unique among awards shows, Billboard Music Awards (BBMA) finalists are determined by performance on the Billboard Charts, and are not chosen by a voting committee or membership organization. BBMA finalists and winners are based on key fan interactions with music (including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, social engagement), tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data.
With our content reaching millions of viewers, dcp and MRC have the privilege and responsibility to effect change by creating a more inclusive dialogue in our productions and across the industry.
Morgan Wallen is a finalist this year based on charting. As his recent conduct does not align with our core values, we will not be including him on the show in any capacity (performing, presenting, accepting).
It is heartening and encouraging to hear that Morgan is taking steps in his anti-racist journey and starting to do some meaningful work. We plan to evaluate his progress and will consider his participation in future shows.
• 2021 FINALIST FAST FACTS • ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS BY CATEGORY • TOP BBMA WINNERS OF ALL TIME (1990–2020)
2021 FINALIST FAST FACTS“THE WEEKND LEADS AS FINALIST IN 16 CATEGORIES, THE MOST OF ANY ARTIST THIS YEAR”
In addition to receiving the most nods (16), singer/songwriter The Weeknd is also a finalist in more categories than any other artist this year, including Top Artist, Top Male Artist and Top Hot 100 Artist.
“AS A FINALIST IN SEVEN CATEGORIES THIS YEAR, DRAKE COULD BREAK HIS OWN RECORD FOR MOST WINS OF ALL TIME (27)”
After achieving 12 wins in 2019, including the coveted Top Artist category, rap superstar Drake could break his own record for most wins of all time, keeping his title and staying ahead of Taylor Swift (23), Justin Bieber (21) and Garth Brooks (20).
“TAYLOR SWIFT COULD TIE WITH DRAKE FOR MOST WINS OF ALL TIME (27) SHOULD SHE WIN IN ALL HER CATEGORIES”
Taylor Swift is a finalist in 4 categories this year, including Top Artist, Top Female Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist. If she takes home awards in all of her categories, she would tie with Drake in the #1 spot for most wins of all time.
“IF THE WEEKND OR JUSTIN BIEBER SWEEP IN ALL OF THEIR CATEGORIES, THEY COULD SURPASS TAYLOR SWIFT AND TAKE THE #2 SPOT FOR MOST WINS OF ALL TIME”
The Weeknd, 2019 BBMA winner for Top R&B Artist, could beat Taylor Swift’s record and take the #2 spot for most wins of all time if he takes home the trophies in all his categories this year. Drake still holds the record for most wins of all time (27).
“FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE, TWO OF THE TOP 10 FINALISTS RECEIVED POSTHUMOUS HONORS – POP SMOKE (10) AND JUICE WRLD (7)”
Rappers Pop Smoke and Juice WRLD, who both passed away in 2020, received multiple honors this year. Pop Smoke is a finalist in 10 categories, including Top Billboard 200 Album for his posthumously released debut album “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon,” while Juice WRLD is a finalist in 7 categories, including Top Rap Album for “Legends Never Die.”
“THE WEEKND COULD BREAK DRAKE’S RECORD FOR MOST WINS IN A SINGLE NIGHT”
The Weeknd leads the list this year as a finalist in 16 categories. He has the chance to surpass or tie Drake’s 2017 record (13) for the artist with the most wins in a single night.
“GABBY BARRETT IS A FIRST-TIME FINALIST AND THE FEMALE ARTIST WITH THE MOST NODS THIS YEAR (9)”
The “I Hope” singer is a first-time BBMA finalist and contender in 9 categories, including Top New Artist, becoming the female artist with the most nods this year.
“DABABY, MEGAN THEE STALLION, LIL BABY, DOJA CAT and DUA LIPA COULD ALL WIN THEIR FIRST-EVER BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARD”
DaBaby is the second-top finalist this year (11), including nods in the Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Rap Artist and Top Rap Album categories. He is also a multi-finalist in the Top Streaming Song category for “ROCKSTAR” and “WHATS POPPIN.”
Megan Thee Stallion is the female artist with the second-most nods this year (7), including Top Female Artist and Top Rap Female Artist. She could receive her first ever BBMA at this year’s show.
Lil Baby is a contender in 6 categories this year, including Top Male Artist, Top Rap Artist and Top Rap Album.
Doja Cat – The “Say So” singer is a finalist in 5 categories this year including Top New Artist, and could finally take home her first BBMA trophy.
Dua Lipa could ‘levitate’ her way to her first-ever BBMA trophy this year should she win in any of the 4 categories she’s competing in: Top Female Artist; Top Hot 100 Artist; Top Radio Songs Artist; Top Radio Song.
“BAD BUNNY IS THE FIRST LATIN ARTIST TO BECOME A FINALIST THREE TIMES IN THE SAME CATEGORY”
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny is a finalist in seven categories this year. He received three honors in the same category (Top Latin Album) for “El Último Tour Del Mundo,” “Las que no iban a salir” and “YHLQMDLG.”
“BTS COULD WIN THEIR 5TH CONSECUTIVE AWARD IN THE TOP SOCIAL ARTIST CATEGORY”
BTS previously won in this category in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The K-Pop group could achieve their 5th win should they take home the award this year. Justin Bieber currently holds the record for most wins in this category (2011-2016).
ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS BY CATEGORY:
TOP ARTIST 50 Cent, Adele, Drake, Garth Brooks, Destiny’s Child, Taylor Swift and Usher are tied for the most wins in this category with 2 wins. Both Drake and Taylor Swift are finalists in this category again this year, giving them both the chance to have the most wins in this category should either of them take home the trophy.
TOP MALE ARTIST Justin Bieber and Drake are tied for most wins (2) in this category after Drake took home his second trophy in 2019. He is a finalist again this year, giving him the chance to surpass Bieber.
TOP FEMALE ARTIST Taylor Swift leads with 3 wins in this category. Taylor is up for the award again this year and will become the most decorated Top Female Artist with 4 wins in this category should she take home the trophy. Ariana Grande took home her first Top Female Artist trophy in 2019 and is a finalist again this year, along with Billie Eilish, who took home the trophy in 2020. If either of them win, they would tie with Adele with 2 awards in this category.
TOP DUO OR GROUP One Direction holds the record for most wins in this category (3), followed by Imagine Dragons (2). BTS won this category for the first time in 2019 and they are finalists again this year. They would tie with Imagine Dragons with 2 wins for Top Duo or Group should they win. Dan + Shay, Maroon 5, AC/DC and AJR are also finalists this year and could be first-time winners in this category should any take home the trophy.
TOP R&B ARTIST R. Kelly has the most wins (4) for Top R&B Artist. He won the category in 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2001. Usher follows with 3 wins in 1998, 2004 and most recently in 2011. This year, Jhené Aiko, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Doja Cat and The Weeknd are finalists in this category.
TOP RAP ARTIST Drake took home this award in 2016, 2017, and leads for most wins in this category with 3, after his 2019 win. Eminem and protégé 50 Cent are tied in this category with 2 wins each. Eminem won Top Rap Artist in 2011 and 2014, while 50 Cent won the award twice, years before his mentor, in 2003 and 2005. This year, Drake is up for the award again and could take home his 4th trophy in this category should he win. It could be the first win in this category for finalists DaBaby, Juice WRLD, Lil Baby and Pop Smoke.
TOP COUNTRY ARTIST Garth Brooks has won this award three times in 1991, 1993 and 1998. Luke Combs became a first time Top Country Artist winner after taking home the trophy in 2019, and then again in 2020. He is a finalist again this year, giving him the chance to tie with Brooks for most wins in this category.
TOP ROCK ARTIST twenty one pilots and Imagine Dragons were tied for the most wins with 2 each, but the latter became the record holder for most wins in this category after their 2019 win. This year, twenty one pilots have the chance to tie again should they win. AC/DC, AJR, Five Finger Death Punch and Machine Gun Kelly are also up for the award this year.
TOP LATIN ARTIST Ozuna and Romeo Santos are currently tied with 2 wins each. Romeo Santos previously won Top Latin Artist back-to-back in 2015 and 2016. Ozuna took home the award for Top Latin Artist in 2018 and again in 2019. He is a finalist again this year, after having lost to Bad Bunny in 2020, and could claim the record for most wins in this category should he win.
TOP CHRISTIAN ARTIST LaurenDaigle is currently the Top Christian Artist with the most wins of all time with 3 in this category after taking home the trophy in 2020. Up for the award this year are Casting Crowns, Elevation Worship, for KING & COUNTRY, Carrie Underwood and Zach Williams.
TOP GOSPEL ARTIST Kirk Franklin and Tasha Cobbs Leonard are tied with 2 wins each in this category. Franklin won in 2016 and 2017, while Cobbs Leonard won in 2018 and 2019. Kanye West became a first time winner in this category in 2020. Franklin, Cobbs Leonard and West are all finalists again this year, giving West the chance to tie for most wins of all time. They are up against Koryn Hawthorne and Maverick City Music.
TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST The Chainsmokers held on to their record for most wins in this category. The duo took home their fourth award and broke their own record after their 2020 win. They are finalists again this year and could win a fifth trophy. Other finalists in this category are Kygo, Lady Gaga, Marshmello and Surf Mesa.
TOP BBMA WINNERS OF ALL TIME (1990–2020):
1. Drake – 27 wins total; Top Rap Artist (2016); Top Artist (2017); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2017); Top Billboard 200 Album (2017); Top Rap Artist (2017); Top Male Artist (2017); Top Rap Album (2017); Top Hot 100 Artist (2017); Top Song Sales Artist (2017); Top Streaming Songs Artist (2017); Top Rap Tour (2017); Top Streaming Song [Audio] (2017); Top R&B Song (2017), Top R&B Collaboration (2017); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2018), Top Artist (2019), Top Male Artist (2019), Top Billboard 200 Artist (2019), Top Hot 100 Artist (2019), Top Streaming Songs Artist (2019), Top Song Sales Artist (2019), Top Radio Songs Artist (2019), Top Rap Artist (2019), Top Rap Male Artist (2019), Top Billboard 200 Album (2019), Top Rap Album (2019), Top Streaming Song (Video) (2019)
2. Taylor Swift – 23 wins total; Top Billboard 200 Artist (2011); Top Country Artist (2011); Top Country Album (2011); Woman of the Year (2012); Top Artist (2013); Top Female Artist (2013); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2013); Top Digital Songs Artist (2013); Top Country Artist (2013); Top Billboard 200 Album (2013); Top Country Album (2013); Top Country Song (2013); Top Artist (2015); Top Female Artist (2015); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2015); Top Hot 100 Artist (2015); Top Digital Songs Artist (2015); Top Billboard 200 Album (2015); Top Streaming Song [Video] (2015); Billboard Chart Achievement Award (2015); Top Touring Artist (2016); Top Female Artist (2018); Top Selling Album (2018)
3. Justin Bieber – 21 wins total; Top New Artist (2011); Top Social Artist (2011); Top Streaming Artist (2011); Top Digital Artist (2011); Top Pop Album (2011); Top Streaming Song, [Video] (2011); Billboard.com Fan Favorite Award (2011); Top Social Artist (2012); Milestone Award (2013); Top Male Artist (2013); Top Social Artist (2013); Top Social Artist (2014); Top Social Artist (2015); Top Male Artist (2016); Top Social Media Artist (2016); Top Hot 100 Song (2018); Top Streaming Song [Video] (2018); Top Selling Song (2018); Top Collaboration (2018); Top Latin Song (2018); Top Country Song (2020)
4. Garth Brooks – 20 wins total; #1 Albums Artist (1991); #1 Country Album (1991); #1 Country Singles Artists (1991); #1 Country Artist (1991); #1 Country Albums Artist (1991); # 1 Pop Artist (1992); #1 Country Artist (1993); #1 Pop Artist (1993); #1 Country Singles Artist (1993); #1 Country Albums Artist (1993); Country Album of the Year (1995); Artist Achievement Award (1997); Country Artist of the Year (1998); Country Album of the Year (1998); Male Album of the Year (1998); Male Albums Artist of the Year (1998); Country Singles Artist of the Year (1998); Country Albums Artist of the Year (1998); Male Artist of the Decade (1999); ICON Award (2020)
5. Adele – 18 wins total; Top Billboard 200 Album (2012); Top Pop Album (2012); Top Artist (2012); Top Female Artist (2012); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2012); Top Hot 100 Artist (2012); Top Digital Songs Artist (2012); Top Radio Songs Artist (2012); Top Digital Media Artist (2012); Top Pop Artist (2012); Top Streaming Song [Audio] (2012); Top Alternative Song (2012); Top Pop Album (2013); Top Artist (2016); Top Female Artist (2016); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2016); Top Billboard 200 Album (2016); Top Selling Song (2016)
Usher – 18 wins total; Artist of the Year (1998); R&B Artist of the Year (1998); Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year (1998); Artist of the Year (2004); R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Artist of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Single of the Year (2004); Mainstream Top 40 Artist of the Year (2004); Mainstream Top 40 Single of the Year (2004); Billboard 200 Album of the Year (2004); R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (2004); R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artist of the Year (2004); Billboard 200 Artist of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Airplay Single of the Year (2004); Rap Song of the Year (2005); Top R&B Artist (2011); Top R&B Song (2011); Top R&B Album (2011)
6. Whitney Houston – 16 wins total; #1 R&B Singles Artist (1991); #1 R&B Albums Artist (1991); #1 R&B Artist (1991); #1 R&B Album (1991); #1 Hot 100 Singles Artist (1993); #1 Hot 100 Single (1993); Single With Most Weeks at #1 (1993); #1 R&B Single (1993); #1 R&B Singles Artist (1993); #1 R&B Album (1993); #1 World Artist (1993); #1 World Single (1993); #1 Album (1993); #1 Soundtrack Album (1993); #1 Album With Most Weeks at No. 1 (1993); Billboard Millennium Award (2012)
7. Mariah Carey – 15 wins total; #1 Hot 100 Singles Artist (1991); #1 Album (1991); #1 Adult Contemporary Artist (1991); #1 Pop Artist (1991); #1 Female Artist (1994); Special Hot 100 Singles Award – Most Weeks at No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100 (1996); Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year (1996); Special Billboard Hot 100 Award for the most No.1s ever by a female artist (1998); Female Artist of the Decade (1999); Hot 100 Song of the Year (2005); Hot 100 Airplay of the Year (2005); Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2005); Female Billboard 200 Album Artist of the Year (2005); Rhythmic Top 40 Title of the Year (2005), ICON Award (2019)
8. Beyoncé – 13 wins total; Hot 100 Female Artist of the Year (2003); New R&B Artist of the Year (2003); New Female Artist of the Year (2003); Special Hot 100 Award for Most Weeks at No. 1 (2003); Billboard Millennium Award (2011); Top R&B Album (2012); Top Female Artist (2017); Top Touring Artist (2017); Top R&B Artist (2017); Top R&B Tour (2017); Top R&B Album (2017), Top R&B Tour (2019), Top Rap Tour (2019)
9. R. Kelly – 12 wins total; #1 R&B Artist (1994); R&B Artist of the Year (1996); R&B Artist of the Year (1999); R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artist of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Artist of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year (2001); Hot 100 Producer of the Year (2003); R&B Producer of the Year (2003); Hot 100 Songwriter of the Year (2003); R&B Songwriter of the Year (2003)
Rihanna – 12 wins total; Female Artist of the Year (2006); Female Hot 100 Artist of the Year (2006); Pop 100 Artist of the Year (2006); Top Female Artist (2011); Top Radio Songs Artist (2011); Top Rap Song (2011); Top Streaming Artist (2012); Top Radio Songs Artist (2013); Top R&B Artist (2013); Top R&B Album (2013); Top R&B Song (2013); Billboard Chart Achievement Award (2016)
10. Janet Jackson – 11 wins total; #1 Hot 100 Singles Artist (1990); #1 R&B Artist (1990); #1 R&B Singles Artist (1990); #1 R&B Albums Artist (1990); #1 Dance Club Play Artist (1990); #1 Hot Dance 12-inch Singles Sales Artist (1990); #1 R&B Album (1990); #1 Pop Album (1990); Artist Achievement Award (1995); Artist Achievement Award (2001); ICON Award (2018)
Carrie Underwood – 11 wins total; Country Single Sales Artist of the Year (2005), Top-Selling Country Single of the Year (2005), Top-Selling Hot 100 Song of the Year (2005), Album of the Year (2006), Country Album of the Year (2006), Female Billboard 200 Albums Artist of the Year (2006), Female Country Artist of the Year (2006), New Country Artist of the Year (2006), Milestone Award (2014), Top Christian Song (2015), Top Country Female Artist (2019)
11. 50 Cent – 10 wins total; Artist of the Year (2003); R&B Artist of the Year (2003); Rap Artist of the Year (2003); Ringtone of the Year (2004); Album of the Year (2005); Artist of the Year (2005); Hot 100 Artist of the Year (2005); R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2005), Rap Artist of the Year (2005); Ringtone of the Year (2005);
Destiny’s Child – 10 wins total; Artist of the Year (2000); Duo/Group of the Year (2000); Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year (2000); Hot 100 Singles Duo or Group of the Year (2000); Artist of the Year (2001); Artist of the Year – Duo/Group (2001); Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year (2001); Soundtrack Single of the Year (2001); Artist Achievement Award (2004); R&B/Hip-Hop Group of the Year (2005)
Eminem – 10 wins total; Album of the Year (2002); R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (2002); Top Artist (2011); Top Billboard 200 Album (2011); Top Male Artist (2011); Top Rap Album (2011); Top Rap Artist (2011); Top Rap Song (2011); Top Rap Album (2014); Top Rap Artist (2014)
Mary J. Blige – 10 wins total; R&B Album of the Year (1995); Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2006); Hot 100 Airplay Song of the Year (2006); R&B Albums Artist of the Year (2006); R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (2006); R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2006); R&B/Hip-Hop Song Airplay of the Year (2006); R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year (2006); R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Artist of the Year (2006); Videoclip of the Year (2006)
May 4, 2021 UPDATE: P!nk will receive the distinguished ICON Award at the “2021 Billboard Music Awards” (BBMAs). The three-time BBMA winner, who joins only nine other artists to ever receive the honor, will also take the stage for a spectacular performance.
May 11, 2011 UPDATE: Drake will receive the prestigious Artist of the Decade Award at the “2021 Billboard Music Awards” (BBMAs).
Leonardo DiCaprio at the CinemaCon photo call for Columbia Pictures’ “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas on April 23, 2018. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau)
Charlize Theron at the “Long Shot” screening at the Paramount Theater during the 2019 SXSW Conference And Festival in Austin, Texas, on March 9, 2019 .
Brad Pitt at the world premiere of “Once Upon a Time In Hollywood” during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 21, 2019. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)
Ana de Armas from “Knives Out” at the Lionsgate CinemaCon presentation at the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas on April 4, 2019.
Kerry Washington at the 29th Producers Guild Awards at Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on January 20, 2018. (Photo by John Salangsang/Invision for Producers Guild of America/AP Images)
Rami Malek at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival’s Tribeca Talks – A Farewell to “Mr. Robot” at Spring Studio in New York City on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the organization the votes for the Golden Globe Awards) and Dick Clark Productions (which co-produces the Golden Globes telecast) have announced the presenters of the 2020 Golden Globe Awards ceremony, which takes place January 5 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills California. NBC will have the U.S. telecast of the show, beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time/5 p.m. Pacific Time.
Here are the presenters in alphabetical order:
Tim Allen
Jennifer Aniston*
Christian Bale*
Antonio Banderas*
Jason Bateman
Annette Bening*
Cate Blanchett*
Matt Bomer
Pierce Brosnan
Glenn Close
Daniel Craig*
Ted Danson
Ana de Armas*
Leonardo DiCaprio*
Ansel Elgort
Chris Evans
Dakota Fanning
Will Ferrell
Lauren Graham
Tiffany Haddish
Kit Harington*
Salma Hayek
Scarlett Johansson*
Elton John*
Nick Jonas
Harvey Keitel
Zoe Kravitz
Jennifer Lopez*
Rami Malek*
Kate McKinnon
Helen Mirren
Jason Momoa
Gwyneth Paltrow
Amy Poehler
Brad Pitt*
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Margot Robbie*
Paul Rudd*
Wesley Snipes
Octavia Spencer
Bernie Taupin*
Charlize Theron*
Sofia Vergara
Kerry Washington
Naomi Watts
Rachel Weisz
Reese Witherspoon*
*2020 Golden Globe Awards nominee
Ricky Gervais is hosting the show. Tom Hanks will be receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award for career achievement, while Ellen DeGeneres will be getting the Carol Burnett Award, which is given to people who have excelled in comedy. The Carol Burnett Award debuted at the Golden Globes in 2019, and Burnett was the first recipient of the prize. Dylan and Paris Brosnan (sons of Pierce Brosnan) will serve as the 2020 Golden Globe Ambassadors.
Click here for a complete list of nominations for the 2020 Golden Globe Awards.
Platinum producer Mustard and Grammy- and Golden Globe- nominated artist Nick Jonas will perform the new single “Anywhere” for the first time in its entirety at the 2018 “MTV Movie & TV Awards.” The world premiere of the video debuted yesterday on MTV. Additionally, Chloe x Halle are set to take the stage for a medley of “The Kids Are Alright” and “Warrior” from their debut album.
The network also announced “Black Panther’s” Michael B. Jordan; Seth Rogen and Kristen Bell, from the new comedy “Like Father;” Mila Kunis of “The Spy Who Dumped Me;” Zendaya and Gina Rodriguez in the upcoming animated film “Smallfoot” and artist and actor, Common are confirmed to present. Additional names will be announced at a later date.
As previously announced, Chris Pratt will receive this year’s “Generation Award” and Lena Waithe will be honored with the “Trailblazer Award.” Hosted by Tiffany Haddish, this year’s show will air on Monday, June 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT from the Barker Hangar in Los Angeles.
Mustard (Dijon McFarlane) is a multi-platinum producer and DJ from South Central LA whose 2010 rise is attributed to a simple, hypnotic sound. Known for hits including Tyga’s “Rack City,” 2 Chainz’s “I’m Different,” and Young Jeezy’s “R.I.P,” he was also behind a quartet of singles that hit the Top Ten of Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart, including YG’s “My N*gga,” Ty Dolla $ign’s “Paranoid,” Kid Ink’s “Show Me,” and Trey Songz’s “Na Na.” His debut album, 10 Summers (Roc Nation) arrived in 2014 and his follow up album, which featured appearances by YG, Ty Dolla $ign, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, Quavo, John Legend and many more, dropped in 2016. In 2016 he also produced Rihanna’s longest-charting and five-time platinum hit, “Needed Me.” A year later he returned with The Ghetto, which included the single “Is It Mine,” featuring RJMrLA. He can be found performing everywhere from Coachella to EDC.
Nick Jonas, the multi-platinum, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated recording artist, actor, and award winning songwriter, released his self-titled debut album in November 2014. The critically-acclaimed album included the triple-platinum and #1 U.S. radio hit, “Jealous.” A recipient of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame’s prestigious Hal David Starlight Award, Jonas released his sophomore solo album ‘Last Year Was Complicated’ in June 2016. Jonas also co-wrote an original song titled “Home” for the movie “Ferdinand,” released by FOX Animation. The song was nominated for 2018 Golden Globe in the category of “Best Original Song.” Jonas can currently be seen alongside Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.” He recently completed production on Lionsgate’s post-apocalyptic thriller, “Chaos Walking,” starring Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland which is scheduled for release in March 2019.
The buzz about the sisters Chloe x Halle began building back in 2013 by way of their YouTube Channel where they posted their now-infamous covers of popular songs. Their rendition of Beyoncé’s ballad “Pretty Hurts” garnered over 15 million views and ultimately led to a recording deal with Beyoncé’s, Parkwood Entertainment. Since then, Chloe x Halle served as the opening act for “The Formation World Tour” and appeared in the now-legendary visual masterpiece for Lemonade. In 2016, they also lent their voices to the song, “This is for My Girls” (alongside Kelly Rowland, Zendaya and Janelle Monáe, among them) in support of Let Girls Learn, an education-focused initiative launched by former President Obama and First Lady, Michelle Obama. Their on-screen credits include their roles as Jazz and Sky on Freeform’s hit comedy
“Grown-ish” for which they also co-wrote the series theme song, “Grown.”
Joel Gallen/Tenth Planet Productions will serve as Executive Producer with MTV’s Amy Doyle, Wendy Plaut and Vanessa Whitewolf for the “2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards.” Rick Austin will also serve as Executive Producer. Melanie Block is Executive in Charge of Production. Amani Duncan and Lisa Lauricella are Executives in Charge of Music.
Official sponsors of the 2018 “MTV Movie & TV Awards” include Doritos®, MTN DEW®, SIMPLE Mobile®, Taco Bell®, Toyota and truth®.
For additional information visit MTVAwards.mtv.com and follow @MTVAwards and @MTV on social media, or use the official hashtag #MTVAwards.
About MTV: MTV is a global youth culture brand inspired by music. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA).
