Music Awards 2018

Sunday's Billboard Music Awards 2018 broadcast often seemed like a battle for pop music's very soul, as fake smiles and cheesy promo tie-ins vied with serious vocal prowess and displays of genuine emotion for three long, eventful hours. Rising stars like Shawn Mendes and Troye Sivan earned their places on the big stage, but it was the bona fide divas (Rihanna, Celine Dion and Adele, who didn't even sing live) – and always-welcome veteran Stevie Wonder – who ultimately owned the night. Here's who triumphed and tanked at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena.

Before Rihanna picked up the fan-voted Chart Achievement Award, she issued a timely reminder that Beyoncé isn't the only superstar singer to release a major LP in 2016. The decidedly old-school "Love on the Brain" – one of Anti's surprisingly potent deep cuts – is a passion-fueled torch song given a Rihanna spin ("I'm tired of being played like a violin/What do I gotta do to get in your motherfuckin' heart?" she sings on record). On Sunday night she fully leaned into the track, showcasing the raspy, gritty side of her voice. Her fiery performance showed not just how far she's come since the "Pon De Replay" days but where she could potentially take her overflowing charisma and newly unearthed vocal nuance.

After all of the past week's backstage drama, Kesha quietly prevailed on Sunday. To recap: Dr. Luke's label Kemosabe initially granted Kesha permission to perform at the BBMAs, then changed its mind, then finally relented when the singer denied the rumor that her performance would address her legal battles with Luke and his imprint. Striking in black bolo tie and white suit, Kesha delivered the tribute to Bob Dylan she's said she always intended, backed by Ben Folds' piano and a stark violin accompaniment. Kesha's version of "It Ain't Me Babe" was understated and heartfelt; the singer turned Dylan's steely ballad into a statement of quiet strength, suggesting her refusal to be defined by others. The standing ovation she received – a long overdue moment of dignity for an artist whose musical dreams became real-world nightmares – was anything but obligatory.