40 Show-Stopping Billboard Music Award Outfits That Fans Will Never Forget

Like it or not, part of being a performer is knowing what to wear. Before the Billboard Awards kick off every year, the attendees temporarily become models – or even walking works of art – on the red carpet. Not all their outfits are smash hits with the media, but they’re definitely memorable. So, from Rita Ora’s outrageously revealing dress to Dencia’s rainbow ensemble, let’s discover 40 looks that’ll go down in the history books.

40. Vanessa Hudgens – 2017

Vanessa Hudgens was the co-host of the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, so of course she had to wear an absolute showstopper. Eight of them, in fact. Though perhaps this silver number was the most impressive of all. Its incredible headpiece served as a tribute to Cher, who was given the ICON award that night.

39. Rebel Wilson – 2018

Comedienne Rebel Wilson did a bit about the Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding at the 2018 Billboard Awards. And she did so while wearing an outfit which would’ve sufficed at the nuptials themselves! Her pink Haney dress was a super nice one, and the matching hat was a real eye-catcher.

38. Miley Cyrus – 2013

Of course Miley Cyrus would wear something wacky to the 2013 Billboard Awards. Yet by her standards, this black-and-white checkered Balmain outfit was very tame. Cyrus informed Michelle Marie on the red carpet that she could barely move around in the jumpsuit, but it was enough to win her a spot on a few best-dressed lists.

37. Busta Rhymes – 1997

Are you ready for a wave of nostalgia? Back at the 1997 BMAs the Spice Girls were winning awards, actor David Spade was hosting and a Busta Rhymes at the top of his game showed up in this amazing navy blue outfit with matching turban. Let’s see more men dressing like that for the modern-day shows!

36. Jenna Dewan – 2018

Jenna Dewan wore something remarkable at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards – a short, sexy dress that appeared to be made entirely out of belts! She was also rocking a new haircut and a pair of studded stiletto heels. It so happened that not long prior to the event, Dewan split from Channing Tatum – was she showing him what he was missing?

35. John Legend – 2017

Men don’t always stand out on red carpets, but John Legend is definitely one who does. For the Billboard Music Awards in 2017 he showed off a massive tiger logo across the back of his Gucci jacket. And for his efforts, the singer was named the best-dressed man of the evening by Esquire magazine.

34. Jessica Simpson – 2000

Jessica Simpson has no regrets about the strange feathery number she wore to the 2000 BMAs. Eight years later she posted a picture of it on Facebook and wrote, “I got worst dressed that year but I still stand by my decision.” To be fair, though, Simpson looked like she was enjoying wearing it!

33. Carrie Underwood – 2012

Carrie Underwood channeled a Disney princess when she arrived at the Billboard Music Awards in 2012. The country singer wore a stunning grey-blue dress from Oscar de la Renta – a fairytale-like design with the shimmering tulle skirt almost making her look like she was floating underwater. And lots of viewers highly approved!

32. Mary J. Blige – 2001

Can you even imagine a more 2001 outfit than this? Mary J. Blige had on some shiny pink pants, a striped top, big old fur coat, pointy shoes and a hat when she walked the red carpet that year. Perhaps to be more accurate, it’s every 2001 fashion trend thrown together at once.

31. Diplo – 2019

Diplo seems pretty into the cowboy aesthetic. The musician rocked up to the 2019 Billboard Awards dressed like he was strolling through the Wild West: he had the shirt, buckle, matching hat and the boots. Maybe he was going too far? But on the other hand, there might be no such thing on a red carpet.

30. Ariana Grande – 2016

Ariana Grande blew everyone away with this Atelier Versace dress at the 2016 awards. It was artistic, eye-catching and it suited her perfectly. Her heels were a bit more of a problem, as she tripped over them on her way up to a stage. But, being Ariana Grande, she handled the experience like it was nothing.

29. Mandy Moore – 1999

Mandy Moore still remembers the brightly colored outfit she wore to the 1999 Billboard Music Awards – not least because it was her first red carpet event. In 2017 she told the Today show, “This was a real low point for me, I’m going to be honest. This was not a highlight of my style career.”

28. Sophie Turner – 2019

Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner stole the show on the 2019 red carpet. She had on a spectacular metallic patterned jumpsuit from Louis Vuitton with a sleek black belt in the middle. The outfit needed few accessories, but she was still wearing one very important one – her engagement ring from Nick Jonas.

27. Katy Perry – 2012

Katy Perry went pretty in pink for the 2012 awards. The singer looked a little bit like a mermaid in a dress by, appropriately, fashion house Blumarine. And she’d dyed her hair to match as well. Overall, it was a great look on Perry: not too out-there but still perfectly reflecting her personality.

26. Janet Jackson – 2018

Janet Jackson wore a Rami Kadi outfit when she accepted the Icon Award at the 2018 BMAs. The design matched casual clothes with red carpet ones: the bottom part was a voluminous tulle skirt in mint green, while the top bit was merely a white T-shirt. Meanwhile, earrings, bracelets and a belt completed the look.

25. Britney Spears – 2000

Britney Spears’ outfit in 2000 is still remembered fondly today. It was a strange pink and orange creation made with crushed velvet – jazzed up with a matching feathered fedora and a pair of suede boots. Oh, and don’t forget the delicate choker around her neck, or the bra underneath which is also pink and orange.

24. Madonna – 2013

Of course, Madonna rarely disappoints at award show events. In 2013 she dressed for the BMAs exactly how you’d expect her to – in a Givenchy outfit featuring fishnets and a jacket covered in feathers. Many people rolled their eyes – especially since she was 54 years old at the time – but chances are that Madonna herself didn’t care one bit.

23. Usher – 1998

Usher opted for all gold at the 1998 BMAs. This meant gold shirt, gold fur coat, gold chain necklace – the works. It was an appropriate color to wear considering he won no less than three awards that night. But in more recent years the outfit’s drawn comparisons to the Muppet Big Bird…

22. Dencia – 2015

One of the most spectacular outfits in Billboard Music Awards history came attached to singer Dencia in 2015. She wore a rainbow-colored work of art, mismatching shoes and a visor. Later on she wrote on Instagram, “The designer [Rocky Gathercole] thanks for this amazing piece, the plan was to shut it down and we did it.”

21. Ke$ha – 2011

Nominee Ke$ha wore a popular red carpet trend – a cut-out dress – at the BMAs in 2011. It was designed by Jad Ghanour, with her shoes from Giuseppie Zanotti and jewelry by Loree Rodkin. Overall, it was a pretty solid gothy look for the singer – especially since her makeup matched the color of the dress.

20. Mariah Carey – 2015

Mariah Carey put her own spin on the Little Black Dress back in 2015. This was no ordinary LBD, though. It was a Tom Ford design with a plunging neckline and those ever-popular cut-out panels. And also it wasn’t particularly little either – considering it had a long draping skirt at the back. Nevertheless, Mariah definitely made it work.

19. Celine Dion – 2003

Somehow, Celine Dion was able to pull off this extremely risqué number at the 2003 Billboard Music Awards. It looked like she was very close to a major wardrobe malfunction, but the night proceeded without one. Interestingly, these days that Alexandre Vauthier creation is considered one of the most jaw-dropping gowns to ever grace that particular red carpet.

18. Kelly Rowland – 2016

In 2016 Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland wore this stunning silver Labourjoisie dress to the BMAs. It lent her the look of a Greek goddess or classical statue and unsurprisingly won the star a place on a lot of “best dressed” lists. She didn’t even need much makeup to pull off the look. Now, that’s how you do it!

17. Halsey – 2016

You probably either loved or really hated Halsey’s look at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards. It was a Fausto Puglisi white patterned dress with strategic cut-out panels to show off the singer’s tattoos. Teen Vogue magazine wrote at the time, “This is how you effortlessly slay a red carpet.” Alas, others weren’t so convinced.

16. Rihanna – 2006

Rihanna’s been rocking great red carpet looks for longer than you might remember. Back in 2006 when she was still starting out, RiRi arrived at the Billboard Music Awards wearing this plunging white dress created by Zac Posen. And it was a very good night for the star, as she went home with a whopping four awards.

15. Whitney Houston – 1993

Whitney Houston was undoubtedly the star of the show at the 1993 Billboard Awards. Not only did she go home with an incredible eleven trophies in all, the singer also wore this amazing red lace jumpsuit embellished with sequins. All eyes were on her – not that they wouldn’t have been anyway.

14. Rita Ora – 2015

How did Rita Ora avoid a major wardrobe malfunction in this Fausto Puglisi dress? We may never know. The singer herself explained to E! News reporters on the red carpet, “I thought I'd go a little bit naked!” before revealing that she wasn’t wearing underwear. Maybe she went a little too risqué with this one.

13. Gwen Stefani – 2003

Back when Gwen Stefani was frontwoman of No Doubt she rocked up to the 2003 BMAs in this strange ensemble. Think a smart suit for the office, just with… some extra bits attached. What was the deal with the stitching along the skirt? The studded stilettos looked downright dangerous, too.

12. Nicki Minaj – 2011

Nicki Minaj’s bright pink hair is maybe the standout here, but then your eyes go to her jumpsuit. It was from the Mark Fast Spring 2011 collection, but it’d been specially customized for her. On Minaj’s feet – giving some extra height – was a pair of strappy white sandals from Versace. Yep, it was edgy and very Nicki.

11. Jennifer Lopez – 2015

Jennifer Lopez pretty consistently slays on the red carpet. And for the Billboard Music Awards in 2015 she wore a stunning sheer dress by Charbel Zoe. Lots of skin was on display but her blushes were spared by the use of delicately done bead embellishments. And Lopez’s elegant, low-key hair and smoky-eyed makeup completed the look.

10. Nicole Scherzinger – 2017

Nicole Scherzinger of The Masked Singer went very risqué on the 2017 Billboard Music Awards red carpet. The peach-colored plunging dress looked like it was about to cause a wardrobe malfunction. Alas, the tassels on it also led some to compare it to a curtain, and a drab-colored one at that.

9. Cardi B – 2019

Cardi B brought out something spectacular – if a little odd – in 2019. It was a bright yellow two-piece outfit from Moschino which bared her torso and her legs. If the look was a way of showing off her post-baby body, then it worked a treat. She’d have had to be careful using her hands with those big yellow nails on, though.

8. Chrissy Teigen – 2015

Chrissy Teigen really went all out when she presented at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards. She wore a whopping five outfits in all – including one long-trained dress that an audience member fell over! Yet there were no such difficulties with her red carpet outfit. That one was a gorgeous Balmain jumpsuit with a plunging neckline, and arguably it was her best fashion choice that night.

7. Britney Spears – 2016

If something works on you, why change it too much? That might well have been the thinking behind Britney Spears’ Reem Acra outfit at the 2016 BMAs. When the star arrived to receive her Millennium Award, she wore a lacy black outfit that seemed to be inspired by her famous dress from the 2001 VMAs.

6. Selena Gomez – 2013

When Selena Gomez appeared at the 2013 Billboard Awards, she seemed to have a variety of glowsticks around her neck and arms. But no, they were actually part of her Atelier Versace dress! With the slits along her chest and thigh area, the gown perfectly blended fun with sexy.

5. Cher – 2002

No one’s really sure what Cher was wearing at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards. It was simultaneously risqué, fringey, gothy, Western-y and, well… weird. Though what else would one expect from Cher – especially on the night she was taking home an Artist Achievement Award? It would be disappointing if she hadn’t worn something outrageous.

4. Celine Dion – 2017

Celine Dion really excels herself when it comes to white dresses. In 2017 – the year she performed “My Heart Will Go On” at the awards – she wore this amazing, statuesque gown by Stéphane Rolland Haute Couture. Her stylist Law Roach told Billboard magazine at the time, “You will remember her performance and her voice, but you will also remember her dress. No doubt about it.”

3. Halsey – 2019

Halsey’s always bringing out dresses that people either love or hate. This 2019 number from Aadnevik’s fall collection was one of these. It was colorful and appropriately gothy, yet some BMA viewers did point out it looked a little bit… plastic bag. Oh well, everyone absolutely swooned over her purple lipstick in any case.

2. Pink – 2000

Pink always sets out to be memorable. For the 2000 BMAs she wore a dress that was patterned with dollar bills – don’t forget the matching clutch in the same pattern – and she also stuck multiple colors in her hair. Very few people could pull that sort of look off, but she was able to effortlessly.

1. Taylor Swift – 2019

Honestly, Taylor Swift’s life is so jealousy inducing. In 2019 she dazzled with this odd – yet very attractive – lilac lace dress on the Billboard Music Awards red carpet. It was created by Raisa & Vanessa and cost $2,744, according to The Hollywood Reporter. See those nice silver earrings she’s got on? Yep, those are even more expensive.