MARY J. BLIGE SWEEPS BILLBOARD AWARDS

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige scooped an incredible nine awards at America's 2006 Billboard Music Awards on Monday night. The 35-year-old singer took home the most prizes of any artist thanks to her comeback album 'The Breakthrough'. Among the accolades Mary scooped were R'n'B/Hip-Hop Artist Of The Year, Female R'n'B Artist Of The Year and R'n'B/Hip-Hop Album Of The Year. Newcomer Chris Brown, 17, won New Artist Of The Year, Male Of Artist Of TheYear and Artist Of The Year Awards, while fellow newcomer Rhianna beatBeyoncé Knowles to win Female Artist Of The Year. As she accepted her statuette the 18-year-old said: "I really can't feel my legs, this is phenomenal. That was a really tough category."Janet Jackson opened the show with her 1980s classic 'The Pleasure Principle' mixed into new single 'So Excited' from her 2006 album '20 Y.O.'. Janet showed off a new bob haircut and wore a white polo-neck jumper that revealed her naval, but allowed no opportunity for nipple flashing. Mary J. Blige, Gwen Stefani and Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie also performed. Pamela Anderson's estranged husband Kid Rock closed the show by joining Nickelback on stage to perform 'Looking for Some Touch' with ZZ Top. Nickelback won three awards including Artist Group Of The Year and Rock Album Of The Year. New pals Britney Spears and Paris Hilton had originally been lined up to host the lavish ceremony, but both dropped out.The Killers cancelled their performance due to band member Brandon Flowers being unwell.