The 2021 Billboard Music Awards are all about music, but they also brought back a more traditional red carpet, with celebrities and musicians rocking their most over-the-top, celebratory ensembles for the big night. We saw Kehlani looking like the literal fire emoji in a dramatic red gown and the Jonas Brothers hitting the red carpet with their collaborator Marshmello. Machine Gun Kelly painted his tongue black to match his black-and-white manicure, while SZA threw it back to the early ‘00s in her cutout dress with a major slit.
It seems like red was the color of the moment, as many celebs chose the eye-catching shade as their signature color for the event. As always, these celebs brought their formalwear A-game, and we’ve highlighted some of our favorite ‘fits from the 2021 Billboard Music Awards:
Kehlani
Kehlani served up red hot glamour in her crimson Tony Ward gown with puffed sleeves and a cutout red sequin bustier top. She accessorized her gown with a diamond lariat necklace, long, loose waves, and a coordinating sparkly red eye makeup look.
BTS
They wowed everyone with the first-ever live performance of “Butter” and took home all four awards they were nominated for, but BTS also served up fashion in coordinating black and dark silver-grey suits.
Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox
The couple went for a complementary look, with Megan sporting a dramatic, revealing cutout dress with a mesh skirt and MGK going for a more classic tux style with a twist from Balmain. His jacket was open, as was his white shirt, and his tux pants had a flare instead of the more traditional straight leg. The musician also painted his tongue black for the event and rocked a black-and-white checkered mani.
H.E.R.
The musician walked the carpet in a shimmering red sequined jumpsuit, which she paired with her trademark sunglasses. She wore her hair in a super-long ponytail and added a pair of black heels. As for makeup, H.E.R. rocked a black mani-pedi and a bright red lip. Later, she hit the stage in a dark red brocade coat, mesh shorts, and red platform Mary Janes. For her performance at the show, she opted for smaller shades, closed-toe heels, and a loose silk shirt.
Karol G
The musician was feeling blue for the Billboards, posing in a glittery pale blue see-through gown. She even matched her hair to her dress, rocking an aqua blue shade that also matched her major aquamarine jewels.
SZA
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SZA was channeling her inner Toni Braxton with her early ‘00s-throwback cutout Mônot dress with an up-to-there slit. She wore her hair in a glamorous blowout with a blonde accent piece to set off her glowing makeup look and added a pair of red pointed-toe heels to finish off the sexy-elegant look.
For her performance with Doja Cat, SZA ditched the gown for a pair of shorts and a crop top, along with a canary yellow wig.
Saweetie
Saweetie brought the sweet vibes to the carpet in a ruffled peach Giambattista Valli gown with a dramatic high-low hem. The rapper kept her look monochromatic, opting for a flushed peach makeup look and a matching pair of peachy pointed-toe heels.
Cynthia Erivo
The actor looked gorgeous in her ruffled polka dot Carolina Herrera gown. The off-the-shoulder neckline set off her platinum buzz cut, septum ring, and chandelier earrings, and we love how she accessorized with a handful of rings. Plus, that hidden slit!
Bad Bunny
Nobody does a red carpet moment like Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican artist posed for pics in a studded leather coat, baggy black pants, and super cool pointed-toe Converse-style shoes and accessorizing with big black sunglasses, lots of rings, and a simple but statement-making hat.
For his performance, he chose a fluffy white coat with a scorpion detail and matching Docs-style white boots.
The Weeknd
The Weeknd was also feeling a long coat moment, wearing a slim black coat, a crisp white shirt, a tie, and skinny black pants on the red carpet.
Gabby Barrett
The country star went for the gold in her Nicolas Jebran dress with a major shoulder and a long, sweeping train that looked great paired with her awards. Gabby kept her beauty look minimal to let the dress be the center of attention, pulling her hair up and opting for a subtle smoky eye.
The Jonas Brothers
The JoBros brought their current collaborator Marshmello along for the red carpet. Nick rocked a straight-off-the-runway green Fendi ensemble with platform boots, while Joe went for a ‘00s look in a white bowling shirt. Kevin looked cool in a shiny navy jacket and leather pants. The three changed into more casual attire for their performance.
Nick Jonas
Nick also had his solo moment in this duo-colored suit while presenting.
Pink
Pink hit the carpet in a bright pink V-necked gown and brought her two kids along for the event. The pop icon also performed alongside her daughter Willow, who chose a cute lavender tulle skirt for the event. She went from pink to black for her breathtaking performance.
DaBaby
The rapper brought a rainbow of hues to his red carpet look, wearing a sage green shirt and pants over a pale pink shirt with a matching pink hat. A few chunky silver chains, bracelets, a watch, and white Air Force 1s sneakers finished off his cheerful vibe.
Doja Cat
Doja Cat chose a striped ensemble for her red carpet moment, wearing a cropped top with giant sleeves and a pair of matching flared pants.
Later, Doja chose a pair of white mini shorts, a black tube top, and long braids for her performance of “Kiss Me More.” We can’t tell if the white flares are added on top of the Margiela Tabi x Reebok sneakers for a cool ‘60s-meets-’10s, as is the futuristic cutout shrug she added on top of her black top. Both looks were custom made Balmain.
Drake
Drake, who won Artist of the Decade, accepted his award in a classic pale grey suit with a black tie. However, all eyes weren’t on the rapper but on his adorable son Adonis, who attended alongside his dad in a cute flannel and braids.
Alicia Keys
The musician brought the drama in a major pink Valentino look. At first, you think it’s a gown, but if you look closer, you realize it’s actually pants and crop top with a huge wrap that looks like a skirt.
Alicia also celebrated the 20th anniversary of her album Songs in A Minor in a dress from Balmain and a long denim coat with big statement shoulders.
Henry Golding
The actor also went for a grey moment with his casual-cool suit. He wasn’t actually at the event and presented remotely, but he still looked great!
Migos
The trio knows how to make a red carpet statement. Takeoff, Quavo, and Offset looked extremely cool in their outfits, from Quavo’s light blue jacket with black-and-white checkered detail to Offset’s leather tee.
Trell Thomas
The activist looked chic and stylish in his tone-on-tone tan and deep brown suit. He let the suit be the focus of the moment and wore a simple tee underneath, adding a pair of loafers and a watch.
Tina Knowles-Lawson
Miss Tina was also feeling a polka dot vibe for the night, attending the awards show in a sleek black suit with white dots. Bey and Solange’s glamorous mama wore her hair in Old Hollywood-esque waves and paired them with an equally glam red lip.
Dixie D’Amelio and Noah Beck
The TikTok stars showed up together in a classic all-black suit for Noah and a shimmering white halter-neck gown for Dixie. Dixie rocked a sleek topknot hairstyle and simple earrings alongside her glittering dress.
Leslie Odom Jr.
We’re obsessed with Leslie Odom Jr.’s cheerful yellow coat — a sign of brighter days ahead! He paired it with a turtleneck, another shirt over the top, and slim pants.
Gabrielle Union
The actor looked gorgeous and glowing in her bright white textured gown with a deep U-neckline. We loved her cute flippy short hairdo too — it looks like something she would have rocked in the ‘00s, and looks just as fab today.
Lena Waithe
Lena was also a fan of the sage green vibes for the BBMAs, wearing a pistachio-hued suit with a darker green shirt for the red carpet from Richfresh.
DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled attended the awards in a tropical-style shirt with black polka dots and palm leaves, plus a pair of coordinating sneakers.
Lil Rel Howery
The actor and comedian chose a tan jacket, black shirt, plaid pants, and brown lace-up boots for his red carpet ‘fit.
Renée Elise Goldsberry
The Hamilton star sparkled in a one-shouldered golden dress, which she paired with a curly ponytail and strappy heels.
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