Kelly Clarkson, the host of this year’s Billboard Music Awards, opened the show with a tearful message about the recent shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas.
“Once again, ya’ll, we’re grieving for more kids who have died for no reason at all,” Clarkson said, staring directly into the camera as she noted that she herself is a mother of four. “I’m so sick of moments of silence…it’s not working, obviously. Why don’t we do a moment of action, a moment of change? We need to do better.”
Following the opening performance from Ariana Grande, who sang “No Tears Left To Cry,” Clarkson returned to the stage and had no more tears of her own to cry. The singer was all smiles as she gave shout-outs to BTS, Janet Jackson and many more of the night’s performers. “That’s what I love about Billboard,” she said, “It’s about all types of music.”
Clarkson will perform “Whole Lotta Woman” later in the evening. Watch her BBMAs address above.
