New Zealand’s singer-songwriter Lorde answers questions from the press ahead of her performance in Mexico City, Mexico, Wednesday, April 9, 2014. The 17-year-old was named as a finalist in 12 categories for the Billboard Music Awards, announced on Wednesday, ahead of the May 18 awards ceremony. AP
NEW YORK—Newcomers Lorde and Imagine Dragons are the top contenders at next month’s Billboard Music Awards.
The breakthrough acts are finalists in 12 categories, thanks to Lorde’s Grammy-winning multiplatinum hit “Royals” and Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive,” also a multiplatinum Grammy winner. Those smashes are nominated for top Hot 100 song against Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” Katy Perry’s “Roar” and Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball.”
Imagine Dragons is also up for top artist and will battle Cyrus, Perry, Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake, who is nominated for 11 awards.
Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience,” last year’s best-selling album, will compete against efforts from Beyonce, Eminem, Drake and Luke Bryan for top Billboard 200 album.
The 2014 Billboard Music Awards will air live on ABC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 18.
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