 Rihanna opened the Billboard Music Awards with a performance of the " S & M " remix with Spears on May 22 , 2011 , at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas . Rihanna and Spears wore bondage @-@ style bodysuits ; Rihanna 's outfit was white , and she wore PVC thigh @-@ high boots . Spears wore a black outfit , a mask and rabbit ears ; both singers wore handcuffs . Rihanna began the performance seated and provocatively opened her legs as she simulated whipping sounds . The singers closed the performance with pole dancing , a pillow fight and a kiss on the cheek . Billboard magazine declared the performance as one of the 15 Awesome Performances at the Billboard Music Awards . Rihanna performed " S & M " on May 27 , 2011 , on NBC 's Today show 's " Summer Concert Series " , along with " Only Girl ( in the World ) " , " What 's My Name ? " and " California King Bed " . She gave an interview about the album and about her controversial performance at the Billboard Music Awards with Spears . When Rihanna was asked if she was surprised at the controversial reaction the performance prompted , she responded : 
