The Weeknd wins 8 Billboard awards, Celine Dion gives emotional speech

The Canadian presence was fierceat the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, withThe Weeknd, Justin Bieber and Drake winning trophies whileCline Diontook home a lifetime achievement award.

TheWeeknd,who's real name is AbelTesfaye, won eight awards, more than any male artist in the last decade.

The sweep includedTop R&B song forThe Hills,Top Hot 100 Artistand Top R&B album forBeauty Behind the Madness.

The pop star from Torontodedicated one of his wins to Prince,who died last month, saying the late artist will still help him"push the envelope."

"I love him so much. I didn't know him, but he was so close to me. He will always be an inspiration."

Bieber, who performed the songsCompany and Sorry from his latest album Purpose,took the award forTop Male Artist and thanked his family and those who "believe" in him.

Bieber and The Weekndleada strong contingent fromCanada,which included a Top Rap Artist award for Drake and a nomination forHereby R&B songstressAlessiaCara.

The awardsare based onsales, downloads,streaming, touring, radio airplayand chart performance.

'The Show Must Go On'

Cline Dion, who's husband Rne Anglildied in January,performed Queen's The Show Must Go Onbeautifully before receiving a lifetime achievement award presented by her son, Ren-Charles.

"I want to be so strong for my family and my kids," she said with tears in her eyes."I don't want to cry in front of you."

Dionthanked her supportive fans and at the end of her speech, said she believed her late husband "will continue to watch over me from up above."

"Ren, this one's for you," she said, also speaking inFrench."The show must go on."

Electrifying performances

Toronto-born Shawn Mendes, who took the stage after The Weeknd's first win, did an acoustic version of his song Stitches with strong vocals while playing both the guitar and piano during the performance.

Britney Spears opened the show with a lip-syncedmedley of her hits, including I'm a Slave 4 U and Womanizer.

Another highly-anticipated performance came from Kesha, whose record label had refused to let her perform before eventually giving in under the condition she not mention her ongoinglegal battle with them while on stage.

Kesha got a standing ovation after singing a rendition of Bob Dylan'sIt Ain't Me Babe.

Madonna,StevieWonderhonourPrince

Madonna, dressed in a metallic purple suit andholding a cane, sang one song in her tribute to Prince,Nothing Compares 2 U, before bringing out surprise guestStevieWonder.

Together, they had theaudience on their feetsinging along to Purple Rain, which closed the evening.