“I’m so sick of the moment of silence, because it’s not working. How about a moment of action, a moment of change. Why don’t we change what’s happening?” ~ Kelly Clarkson
Billboard reported on memorable moments from Sunday night’s awards ceremony.
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards may be over, but not without making an impact. Whether stars were championing each other, honoring lives we’ve lost or giving a voice to those who need it most, this year’s show was a powerful one from Kelly Clarkson’s moving cold open to Salt-N-Pepa’s nostalgic (and energetic) finish.
Host Kelly Clarkson’s open was at the top of their list:
Before officially kicking off the night with an awe-inspiring medley of the year’s biggest Billboard hits, Clarkson started her Billboard Music Awards hosting gig by paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic Sant[a] Fe High School shooting just two days prior. In a powerful move, Clarkson went against what producers asked and called on fans and viewers to take action.
“I’m so sick of the moment of silence because it’s not working,” she said while choking back tears. “How about a moment of action, a moment of change. Why don’t we change what’s happening?”
“Before we start tonight’s show, there’s something I’d like to say — this is gonna be so hard,” Clarkson began as tears started falling — “about the tragedy Friday at Sant[a] Fe High School. I’m a Texas girl and my home state has had so much heartbreak over this past year. And once again, y’all, we’re grieving for more kids that have died for just no reason at all. And tonight they wanted me to say — that obviously we want to pray for all the victims and their families.”
“But they also wanted me to do a moment of silence and I’m so sick of moments of silence! It’s not working! Like, obviously. So why don’t we not do a moment of silence, why don’t we do a moment of action, a moment of change,” she continued.
“Why don’t we change what’s happening? Because it’s horrible. And mamas and daddies should be able to send their kids to school, to church, to movie theaters, to clubs — you should be able to li[v]e your life without that kind of fear. We need to do better! These people are failing our children, we’re failing our communities we’re failing their families — I have four children, and I can’t imagine getting that phone call or that knock on the door. So instead of a moment of silence, I want to respect them and honor them. So let’s have a moment of action — a moment of change.”
Variety elaborated on the night’s events, that after her opening, Clarkson “then introduced the opening performance, Ariana Grande — whose own life was shattered by violence when a terrorist killed 22 people after her concert in Manchester almost exactly a year ago — performing her new single, ‘No Tears Left to Cry.'”
Continuing, Variety reported that: “Clarkson then returned, apologized for her tears, and launched into an impressive medley of nominated songs. It was a powerful and vocally and emotionally challenging launch to a show, delivered by an artist who was more than up to the task.”
You can watch her stirring monologue below:
Our hearts go out to all the victims in the Santa Fe community and their families. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7ejLAd8nKk
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 21, 2018
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