We are just days away from watching Taylor Swift perform her new single “Me!” for the first time. Swift is kicking off the 2019 Billboard Music Awards on May 1 and people are hyped for it. The single is our first taste of what her much anticipated seventh studio album will sound like. Only hours after releasing a pastel-colored music video for the single it was announced that Swift will open up the award ceremony on May 1. The track “ME!” also features Panic! at the Disco’s Brendon Urie.
This is Taylor Swift’s first performance at the award show since 2013 when she sang her song “22.” Even more impressive is Swift’s track record at the annual award show: she has taken home 23 award and is up for two of the night’s honors. She is nominated for top female artist and top touring artist.
Swift revealed her new track’s title to Robin Roberts during the NFL Draft in Nashville, Tennesee.
“‘ME!’ is a song about embracing your individuality and really celebrating it and owning it,” the Grammy Award-winning singer explained Roberts. “With a pop song, we have an ability to get a melody stuck in people’s heads and I just want it to be one that makes them feel better about themselves.”
But Swift just kicks off the night! This year’s Billboard Music Awards have some big names lined up to perform. The lineup of performers, which is airing live on NBC May 1, includes Halsey, Dan + Shay, Ciara, and Tori Kelly. Halsey is nominated for two awards and is performing “Without Me,” the star’s first solo No. 1 hit. Halsey will also be performing “Boy with Luv,” her collaboration track with K-pop band BTS. We will get to see even more epic performances from stars like Madonna, Maluma, Khalid, Mariah Carey, Lauren Daigle, the Jonas Brothers, and the night’s host Kelly Clarkson!
Ciara is expected to debut her new single “Thinkin Bout You” for the first time on television, and country stars Dan + Shay will sing with Tori Kelly. Tori Kelly is up for 3 awards while Dan + Shay is up for seven awards.
Up for the most nominations of the night is Cardi B who has a whopping 21 nods. Drake and Post Malone are not far behind with 17 nominations each. Other artists up for nomination include Travis Scott, the late rapper XXXTentacion, and Ariana Grande.
The 2019 Billboard Music Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 1 at 8 o.m. ET/PT on NBC.