NBC announced Tuesday that Kelly Clarkson will be the host for the 2018 Billboard Music Awards. The Breakaway singer was the perfect pick to host the BBA’s first year on NBC because she is currently a coach for The Voice, which is also on NBC. Back in September, Clarkson accepted the Powerhouse Prize at the Billboard Women in Music Awards. She has also been on Billboard charts for the past 15 years and has had 27 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart so far, which makes her very qualified for the job.
“Kelly Clarkson has long been a Billboard chart phenomenon and has a first hand understanding of what matters most in music today,” Paul Telegdy, President of NBC Entertainment, said. “Her enthusiasm for all genres of music and her innate sense of humor will make for a truly memorable night.”
This is Clarkson’s first time to ever host an award show and she’s going all out. “To prepare for hosting the Billboard Music Awards, I already have 20 costume changes planned,” she said in a press release. “I will be flying in like my girl P!nk, and calling Amy Schumer and Sarah Silverman for jokes.”
But then Clarkson seemed to changer her mind and decided that maybe she will go for a more laid back approach. “Well, or I’m just gonna show up and celebrate my favorite artists and get to know a few more. Yeah, maybe I’ll go with that plan,” she told Billboard.
Billboard announced the nominees for the award show on Tuesday. Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars lead the way with each having 15 BBMA nominations. They are also all up for top artist along with Drake and Taylor Swift.
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards will air live on Sunday, May 20, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This will also commemorate the 60th year of Billboard charts.