Beyoncé Shines at Billboard Music Awards
(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Who runs the world? Beyoncé, apparently. The pop superstar was given a star-studded tribute at last night's Billboard Music Awards.
Bey received the Billboard Millennium Award, presented to her by her mother Tina Knowles and nephew Daniel Julez Smith.
Bey delivered a high-powered performance of "Run the World (Girls)," the first single off her forthcoming album, 4. A video tribute preceding the number featured her father Mathew Knowles, mother Tina Knowles, sister Solange, nephew Daniel Julez Smith, First Lady Michelle Obama, iconic singer and actress Barbara Streisand, legendary soul singer Stevie Wonder, pop star Lady Gaga, singer and activist Bono, "Single Ladies" songwriter The-Dream and R&B singer and producer Keith "Babyface" Edmonds singing her praises.
Beyoncé accepted the award graciously. "First of all I want to thank Billboard Awards for being so wonderful to me and my crew," she said between breaths. "I'd like to start off by thanking my foundation, which is my family. Mom, you have taught me everything I know by example, and you are a phenomenal woman and I love you so much. I love you too, Julez. I'd like to thank my father for teaching me so much about the music industry and teaching me about drive, and teaching me about work ethic. Thank you, Dad. I'd like to thank Kelly and Michelle from Destiny's Child. I wouldn't be standing on this stage if it wasn't for y'all. I'd also like to thank the original members of Destiny's Child, Letoya Luckett and Latavia Robinson."
In a rare moment, Bey, who's always been tight-lipped about her marriage to rapper Jay-Z, showed him some love. "I'd also like to thank my best friend," she continued. "Now I don't want to put you on the spot, because I know they probably putting the camera in your face right now, but I love me some Jay-Z."
Her album is scheduled to be released June 28.