Six months after the deadly COVID-19 pandemic forced the Billboard Music Awards to postpone its 2020 event, the music ceremony finally announced this year’s nominees on Sept. 22. While the show (now taking place on Oct. 14, live on NBC) will likely be done in front of no fans, the 2020 BBMAs still promise to celebrate the biggest and brightest stars in music. From Taylor Swift to Billie Eilish to the Jonas Brothers, this year’s BBMAs will, for better or worse, be one that no one forgets.
Of course, because it’s 2020, the nominee rollout was a little bit unusual. Instead of sharing the whole list at once, the BBMAs figured they would roll out the categories in spurts. First, the nominees in the Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album during the 8am hour of TODAY. Then, around 9am EST, the nominees for Top New Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Duo/Group, and Top Hot 100 Song would be shared over at Billboard.com. After that, all the remaining nominees and categories would be shared via the Billboard Music Awards Twitter account. Yes, it’s a bit extra, but after a six-month delay, the BBMAs can be excused for wanting to add a little pizzaz into the mix. Check out the nominees below, and keep checking back to see if your favorite band or singer scored a nomination.
Top Artist
Billie Eilish
Jonas Brothers
Khalid
Post Malone
Taylor Swift
Top Billboard 200 Album
Billie Eilish, When We Fall Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go
Ariana Grande, Thank U, Next
Khalid, Free Spirit
Post Malone, Hollywood’s Bleeding
Taylor Swift, Lover
Top New Artist
Da Baby
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Roddy Ricch
Top Male Artist
Da Baby
Khalid
Lil Nas X
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Top Female Artist
Billie Eilish
Ariana Grande
Halsey
Lizzo
Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group
BTS
Dan + Shay
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5
Panic! At The Disco
Top Hot 100 Song
Lewis Capaldi, “Someone You Loved”
Billie Eilish, “bad guy”
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road”
Lizzo, “Truth Hurts”
Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, “Seniorita”
Billboard Chart Achievement Award
Mariah Carey
Luke Combs
Lil Nas X
Harry Styles
Taylor Swift
Top Billboard 200 Artist
Drake
Billie Eilish
Khalid
Post Malone
Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist
Da Baby
Billie Eilish
Khalid
Lil Nas X
Post Malone
Top Streaming Songs Artist
Da Baby
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Post Malone
Travis Scott
Top Song Sales Artist
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Post Malone
Taylor Swift
Top Radio Songs Artist
Jonas Brothers
Khalid
Lizzo
Shawn Mendes
Post Malone
Top Social Artist
BTS
Billie Eilish
EXO
GOT7
Ariana Grande
The 2020 BBMAs were supposed to occur on Apr. 29, but the COVID-19 pandemic was well underway in the U.S., resulting in everything getting postponed or canceled. Though the show will now take place in October, the original eligibility period – Mar. 23, 2019 to Mar. 14, 2020 – will remain intact. Meaning that Taylor Swift’s Lover (which came out in August 2019) can be nominated, but folklore (which came out in July 2020) cannot.
Kelly Clarkson will host the show for the third year in the row. She’s coming off winning her first Daytime Emmy Award, taking home the trophy for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show. “I’m thrilled to be back with my Billboard family,” Kelly said in a statement on Feb. 25, when she was first announced as host, per Billboard. “I love being part of an event that celebrates our greatest artists and entertains our fans. This a night of music that you won’t want to miss!” The 2020 Billboard Music Awards will take place on Oct. 14, 2020. The show will air live on NBC.