Why Ariana Grande Isn't at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards
Ariana Grande made headlines earlier on Wednesday when she revealed she is releasing a new album this month. But despite that new music coming imminently, the singer opted to not attend
the Billboard Music Awards tonight in person during its modified ceremony amid the coronavirus pandemic. Fewer celebrities in general are physically attending, including those who are nominated, as the show has no audience. Grande won't be performing tonight, meaning she doesn't really need to be there and can choose for her own safety to accept any awards won remotely.
Grande, for what it's worth, is up for Top Female Artist, Top Social Artist (fan-voted category), and Top Billboard 200 Album (for Thank U, Next). While winners have accepted their awards in person, Grande lost Top Female Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album to fellow nominee Billie Eilish. It's unclear whether Top Social Artist will be announced during the broadcast, but she is competing against BTS, EXO, GOT7, and Billie Eilish's fan bases.
Grande was part of the MTV VMAs in August, although she did not attend the New York City ceremony in person. She posted her red carpet look from her California home, where she has been quarantining. She wrote, "happy VMA day ::) so excited for u see our first rain on me performance tonight ! @ladygaga is fucking incredible and i’m so honored to share this moment with her and u all ? also just want to say thank you to @MTV being so diligent in making this such a safe & healthy experience for all of the performers and crew involved. it’s so greatly appreciated and i can’t imagine how difficult it was to figure out! see u all so soon! ?"
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Grande has used her Instagram predominately over the last couple months to encourage people to get out and vote in the 2020 election. She shared a selfie seven days ago, writing, "turning in these mixes and reminding u again to register to vote if u haven’t already / to vote early." Grande has partnered with HeadCount to help drive more voter registration.
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