Billboard Music Awards top 5 moments

It was a night of tributes and grand comebacks at the Billboard Music Awards.

Viewers tuned into the annual award show, hosted by Ludacris and Ciara and held in Las Vegas on Sunday, for highly anticipated performances.

From Celine Dion's first televised performance since the death of her husband and brother to Kesha's up-in-the air tribute, it was a night packed with memorable takeaways.

Here are the top five moments:

Billboard Music Awards 2016: Best and worst from the red carpet and the show ^[1]

Britney Spears kicks off the show with nostalgic medley

Britney Spears' opening performance was one of the top moments of Sunday night's Billboard Music Awards.

(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The only thing missing from this blast from the past mashup of hits was a pair of jean shorts and a yellow snake wrapped around the pop star.

The pop princess opened the show, ripping off her jacket and stunning in a sexy red bodysuit while she belted out "Work B----."

Other highlights included the seemingly ageless singer dancing on a pole to "Slave 4 U" and her gyrating moves on a giant guitar during "I Love Rock N Roll."

Earlier in the night, the hit maker made headlines for her barely-there red carpet outfit ^[2].

Complete list of winners at Billboard Music Awards ^[3]

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Stars share social media snaps from the 2016 Billboard Music Awards

Demi Lovato shows support for transgender community

The former Disney star remains confident in her stand against North Carolina's so-called bathroom bill.

The singer was belting out the lyrics to her hit "Cool for the Summer" but she wore her social message close to her heart. Lovato proudly wore a black shirt emblazoned with an inclusive bathroom symbol as she rocked the stage.

The show of support comes weeks after the pop star announced that she was cancelling her shows ^[4] in the Southern state over its recent anti-LGBT law.

Britney Spears picks up Billboard Music Awards' Millennium honor ^[5]

Demi Lovato shows her support for the transgender community.

(Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Kesha kills it with her Bob Dylan tribute

All eyes were on the beleaguered pop star as she took the stage in an angelic-like performance of Dylan's "It Ain't Me, Babe."

Her time on stage was sans drama, placing the emphasis on her artistic ability.

Any message the pop star might have was left to the lyrics as the "Tik Tok" singer ignored her controversy with Dr. Luke.

Madonna joined by Stevie Wonder in tribute to Prince at BMA's ^[6]

Kesha wowed with her tribute to Bob Dylan.

(Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The super producer allowed Kesha to perform after initially pulling the performance for fears she would bring up the rape allegations she made against him.

Celine Dion moved to tears as son presents her award

Her heart goes on, thanks largely to her family.

After a powerful cover of Queen's "The Show Must Go On," Dion was surprised by her 15-year-old son, Rene Charles, who awarded his mom the Billboard Icon Award and causing her to break down in tears.

An emotional Celine Dion, joined by her son, remembered her late husband.

(Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for crying. I want to be so strong for my family and my kids. And I didn't expect that. I'm so sorry," she said to a star-studded crowd, who supported her with a standing ovation.

"I don't want to cry in front of you. You make me so happy. Thank you," she continued, addressing her son.

The 48-year-old concluded her emotional acceptance speech by thanking her late husband, who died in January.

"To my beloved husband, who I know will continue to watch over me from above."