Jamie Foxx may have been hosting the iHeart Radio Awards on Sunday, March 29, but the night belonged to Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake .
After making a surprise appearance with Madonna to play guitar on her performance of “Ghosttown,” the new single from Rebel Heart, Swift went on to take home three awards. She grabbed statues for artist of the year, song of the year for “Shake It Off” and best lyrics for “Blank Space.”
While accepting her iHeart Radio Award for song of the year from the Material Girl herself, Taylor thanked “Madonna for being Madonna.”
Timberlake looked genuinely touched as he made his way to the stage to accept his Innovator Award after a bevy of stars — including Swift, Andy Samberg, Pharrell Williams and Timbaland — all appeared in a pre-taped segment declaring their love for the “Mirrors” singer. Timberlake took his moment at the awards to offer some words for his fans who may be struggling.
“Everyone who was in that piece, I love you too,” he shared as he got choked up. “Growing up in school, nobody called me close to an innovator. They called me different. They called me weird. They called me a couple other words I can’t say on TV.”
“If you’re a young person — like I used to be — and you’re at home and you’re being called weird or different, I’m here to tell you your critics do not count. Their words will fade. You won’t,” he said making the most of this time on stage.
But in what may have been the most touching moment of the night, Justin teared up while thanking his wife, Jessica Biel, as he accepted the Innovator Award, according to Entertainment Tonight . Biel chose to watch the awards show from home, presumably because she is weeks away from having their first child.
“Lastly, you can’t have innovation without creation,” the “Sexy Back” singer said. “So finally, I want to thank my best friend, my favorite collaborator — my wife, Jessica, who’s at home watching. Honey, I can’t wait to see our greatest creation yet.”
“Don’t worry, Daddy’s heading home right now to innovate by learning how to change a poopy diaper and get my swaddle on,” he joked.
Complete List of Awards according to Billboard : Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift Song of the Year: “Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift Best Lyrics: Taylor Swift, “Blank Space” Hip Hop/R&B Song: “Don’t Tell ‘Em,” Jeremih featuring YG Best New Artist: Sam Smith Country Song: “Burnin’ It Down,” Jason Aldean Best Fan Army: Five Seconds of Summer Best Collaboration: “Bang Bang” (Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, and Jessie J) Renegade: Brantley Gilbert Dance Song: “Summer,” Calvin Harris Alternative Rock Song: “Take Me to Church,” Hozier
Tell us! What what your favorite part of the iHeart Radio Awards?
