2013 "Billboard" Music Awards Air Live from Vegas This Sunday with Madonna, Celine, Prince & More

BillboardSunday night's Billboard Music Awards, airing live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on ABC, promises to be quite the diva fest.  We're talking Madonna, Celine Dion and Shania Twain on the same bill, with baby divas Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj thrown into the mix for good measure.

Madonna will be receiving the Top Touring Award during the telecast, thanks to the success of her sold-out MDNA tour last year.  Celine and Shania are both Vegas headliners, so they'll be stopping by to present some awards.  Taylor and Nicki will both be performing on the telecast, along with Bruno Mars, The Band Perry, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Ed Sheeran and, most excitingly, Prince.  The Purple One will be making a rare awards show appearance to receive the Billboard Icon Award, and will perform an as-yet-to-be-determined song as well.

Additional presenters on the show include Carly Rae Jepsen, Miley Cyrus, Kid Rock, Cee Lo Green and Alanis Morissette.  Things get underway at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

As for the actual awards, Taylor, fun. and Maroon 5 are the leading nominees.  Because there are so many different Billboard charts, it's impossible to list who's nominated in every single category, but Taylor, fun. and Maroon 5 are finalists in 11 different ones.  Taylor and Maroon 5 also are both competing for the night's big honor: Top Artist of the Year.  The other nominees in that category are Rihanna, Justin Bieber and One Direction.

Speaking of Rihanna, she's nominated in 10 different categories, while Carly Rae Jepsen's represented in nine,  thanks to the success of "Call Me Maybe."  One Direction is represented in eight categories.

Here are the nominees in a few of the biggest Billboard Music Awards categories:

Top 100 Song
"Some Nights"
"Somebody That I Used to Know"
"Call Me Maybe"
"Payphone"
"One More Night"

Top Billboard 200 Album
21
Babel
Red
Up All Night
Take Me Home

Top Duo/Group
Coldplay
Maroon 5
fun.
One Direction
Mumford & Sons

Top New Artist
Gotye
Carly Rae Jepsen
The Lumineers
One Direction
PSY

Top Pop Artist
Maroon 5
Bruno Mars
Adele
Justin Bieber
One Direction

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Madonna, Cher, Taylor Swift Featured on "Rock 'n Royalty" Special Saturday Night

ABC/Donna SvennevikSome of music's biggest names will be spotlighted Saturday night on a special edition of ABC's 20/20. 

Called Rock 'n Royalty: Billboard's All-Stars, the show will be anchored by Barbara Walters, and feature the best and most memorable moments from ABC interviews conducted throughout the years with a variety of pop superstars.

Among the highlights:

--Cynthia McFadden's chats with Cher and Madonna

--Katie Couric's sit-down with Taylor Swift

--Barbara Walters' interviews with Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake, among others

--Amy Robach's one-on-one with Beyonce

The oldest of these interviews is with Justin Timberlake: that one dates back to 2002.  The most recent one is the Beyonce chat, which aired earlier this month.

In addition, the special will feature new interviews with Lady Antebellum, as well as with comedian Tracy Morgan, who's hosting this Sunday night's Billboard Music Awards.  The two-hour special airs Saturday night at 9 p.m. ET.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Candice Glover's Winning "American Idol" Strategy

Ray Mickshaw/FOXBy now, most people know that newly-minted American Idol champ Candice Glover tried out twice for the show before finally making into the top 10 this year.  So why was she able to make it this year, when she got cut the two previous years?  What changed?  Her strategy.

Speaking with reporters on Friday during a phone press conference, Candice explained that when she decided to try out one more time for Idol, she tried to expand her repertoire...and also stop caring so much what people thought of her.

"I just listened to every single genre of music out there and got my musical knowledge up," she told reporters, adding that she "focused on being myself more and being different, and not worrying about being accepted."

"In the previous two years, I cared a little bit more than I should have, and that's why it didn't really work out," Candice explained.  "But this time, I was confident, and it worked out."

She also had advice from a friend she met during last season, when she made it to the Vegas rounds: Jessica Sanchez, who came in second last year behind Phillip Phillips. 

"Last year, I was encouraging her and voting for her and being there when she needed someone to talk to," Candice told reporters.  And this year, when the tables were turned, Candice says, "She always would tell me, 'Be yourself, and just go through the whole thing, and pace yourself 'cause it's gonna get harder down the road.'"

Next up for Candice: a round of media appearances, including singing on Live with Kelly & Michael on Monday, and recording her debut album, Music Speaks, which is coming out July 16.  Since the American Idols Live tour begins June 29, Candice told reporters she expects to be spending "late hours" in the studio trying to get it done before that.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Billy Joel, James Taylor, Gloria Estefan to Salute Carole King at the White House on Tuesday

Photo: James O'MaraThe stars are coming out for Carole King next week.  On Tuesday, she'll be saluted in Washington, D.C., by the likes of Billy Joel, Gloria Estefan, Colbie Caillat, James Taylor...and President Obama.

Carole is the first woman ever to receive the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which is given annually to a composer for his or her contributions to popular music.  According to USA Today, during a ceremony at the Library of Congress, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will get to hang out with the president and first lady, and she'll be saluted by Colbie, Patti Austin and Michael Feinstein, among others.

Then, during another ceremony at the White House, Carole's good friend James Taylor, as well as Billy, Gloria, rising British pop star Emeli Sandé, country star Trisha Yearwood and actor/singer Jesse McCartney, will all pay tribute to her.

The event will be streamed live on WhiteHouse.gov/live starting at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday.  PBS will air the show May 28 at 8 p.m. ET.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Natalie Cole "Seriously Offended" by Candice/J-Hud "American Idol" Duet

Ray Mickshaw/FOXMost people watching the American Idol finale Thursday night would say that the duet that Candice Glover sang with Jennifer Hudson on the song "Inseparable" was one of the highlights of the evening.  Someone who wouldn't say that is the woman who originally recorded the song: Natalie Cole.

Natalie was evidently miffed that she wasn't invited to sing her song with Candice on the finale. In a tweet, she wrote, "Make no mistake. 'Inseparable' was NOT originally recorded by [Jennifer Hudson] but by ME."  Cole further wrote on Facebook, "American Idol ought to be ashamed of themselves....I am seriously offended!"

Some fans responded that they, too, are upset that Natalie wasn't tapped to appear on the finale -- after all, for years, veteran artists have made special appearances to duet with the finalists.  Others, meanwhile, have advised Natalie to chill out, saying that at least Jennifer and Candice did the song justice and gave her song some exposure.

So far, neither Candice nor Jennifer have responded to Natalie's comments.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio