Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Image
It’s almost time for the 2019 Billboard Music Awards!
Kelly Clarkson, who is hosting the award show for the second year in a row, announced a few of this year’s nominees along with Dan + Shay during Thursday’s episode of Today.
So, how are the nominees selected? Well, there are a lot of factors. According to Billboard, the finalists are determined based on key interactions with fans, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring and social engagement. Of course, performance on the Billboard Charts plays a role, too. This year, the awards are based on a chart period from Mar. 23, 2018 to Mar. 7, 2019.
While fans will have to wait until the big night to find out who takes home a trophy, they won’t be kept in suspense for too long.
The 2019 Billboard Music Awards will be broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday May 1 starting at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
So, without further ado, here are the nominees:
Top Female Artist
Ariana Grande
Cardi B
Ella Mai
Halsey
Taylor Swift
Top Male Artist
Drake
Ed Sheeran
Post Malone
Travis Scott
XXXTentaction
Top Artist
Cardi B
Drake
Ariana Grande
Post Malone
Travis Scott
Top Hot 100 Song
“I Like It,” Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
“Lucid Dreams,” Juice Wrld
“Girls Like You,” Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B
“Better Now,” Post Malone
“Sicko Mode,” Travis Scott
Top Duo and Group
BTS
Imagine Dragons
Maroon 5
Panic! At the Disco
Dan + Shay
Top New Artist
Bazzi
Juice Wrld
Lil Baby
Dua Lipa
Ella Mai
Top Collaboration
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin, “I Like It”
Khalid & Normani, “Love Lies”
Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B, “Girls Like You,”
Marshmello & Bastille, “Happier”
Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla Sign,”Psycho”
Top Hot 100 Artist
Cardi B
Drake
Ariana Grande
Juice Wrld
Post Malone
Top Selling Song
“I Like It,” Cardi B, Bad Bunny, & J Balvin
“In My Feelings,” Drake
“Without Me,” Halsey
“Shallow,” Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
“Girls Like You,” Maroon 5 featurng Cardi B
Top Social Artist
BTS
EXO
GOT7
Ariana Grande
Louis Tomlinson
The rest of the nominees will be announced shortly.