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 / Updated / Source: Associated Press 
 
 The King of Pop and a likely successor, prince of pop Justin Timberlake, ruled the Billboard Music Awards — though Michael Jackson made a splash via hologram and Timberlake accepted his awards via video from overseas. 
 
 A hologram of Jackson made its debut Sunday, mirroring the late icon's signature slick dance moves as some members of the audience became emotional, while Timberlake won seven prizes, including top artist and Billboard 200 album. 
 
 "I want to thank everybody on Earth, everybody on Earth, except, except Donald Sterling," Timberlake said. ||||| Kevin Winter/Billboard Awards 2014/Getty Images for DCP A Michael Jackson hologram onstage during the 2014 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday. 
 
 The King of Pop slayed them at the Billboard Music Awards Sunday night. 
 
 Michael Jackson was resurrected from the dead in hologram form, singing and doing his famous moonwalk in front of a star-studded Las Vegas audience. 
 
 Jackson performed his new hit “Slave to the Rhythm” off his posthumous album “Xscape” — which debuted last week at No. 1 in 50 countries. 
 
 In a show-stopping act produced by the Estate of Michael Jackson and broadcast on ABC, the “Thriller” singer appeared on stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to wild cheers and more than a few tears. 
 
 Kevin Winter/Billboard Awards 2014/Getty Images for DCP A Michael Jackson hologram performed 'Slave to the Rhythm' off his posthumous album 'Xscape.' Kevin Winter/Billboard Awards 2014/Getty Images for DCP The hologram showed off some of the King of Pop's signature dance moves. Kevin Winter/Billboard Awards 2014/Getty Images for DCP The crowd at the Billboard Music Awards gave the hologram a standing ovation. Previous Next 
 
 
 
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 The number started with a group of dancers dressed as storm troopers lining the stage, their chests emblazoned with the initials M.J. The curtain parted to reveal a digitally resurrected version of Jackson sitting on leopard-print throne. 
 
 Soon Jackson was in the spotlight, his high voice bouncing off the walls and his feet gliding across the stage as the crowd roared. 
 
 Dressed in red pants and a sparkly gold jacket sporting military epaulettes on the shoulders, Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50 from a drug overdose, appear creepily real. 
 
 Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella A hologram version of the late rapper Tupac Shakur performed at the 2012 Coachella Music Festival in California. 
 
 As the audience watched, some people dabbed their eyes, perhaps wishing the image was real. 
 
 At the end of the performance, the crowd gave Jackson a standing ovation. 
 
 Like all things Jackson, the moment came with controversy. 
 
 On Friday, a federal judge in Nevada dismissed a lawsuit brought by Hologram USA and Musion Das Hologram Ltd. to stop the performance. The companies argued the awards show didn’t have permission to use it patented technology to bring Jackson back to the stage. 
 
 It was not the first time a dead performer has been technologically raised from the dead. 
 
 In 2012, a hologram version of rapper Tupac Shakur, killed in a 1996 Las Vegas shooting, performed at the Coachella Music Festival in California. 
 
 Similar technology was used in 2007 to make it possible for Celine Dion to sing a duet with Elvis Presley on “American Idol.” 
 
 On a mobile device? Click to watch the video. ||||| G Worst: Carrie Underwood: The country beauty has had a lot of good fashion days but sadly, this isn’t one of them! Underwood hops on the hot yellow color trend train but makes it too fussy with a silver bodice that shows off deep cleavage. And the hair is too stiff. A total miss. 
 
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 G Worst: Miranda Lambert: Think pink! NOT. Is the country cutie trying to turn on hubby Blake Shelton with all the cleavage? It only succeeds in making Lambert look tacky and Dolly Partonesque instead of modern. 
 
 G Worst: Jordin Sparks: Okay, so the sparkly dress isn't horrible, but still doesn't bring out the best in the former American Idol winner -- and the bad hair puts it over the top. Sparks severe hairdo makes the usual polished and classy singer look unkempt. 
 
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 G Worst: Lance Bass: The former 'N Sync singer looks like he's going to a preppy college event instead of an awards show with this ill-fitting suit, pink and blue plaid tie, and casual sneakers. And he's hosting the Billboard Awards red carpet show! 
 
 G Worst: Kesha: Although Kesha is more pulled together than normal, this grey and black strapless mermaid-style gown doesn't flatter the pop star. Oddly, when combined with her matronly hairdo and lack of a necklace, the 27-year-old star looks too old. Tik Tok, indeed! 
 
 G Worst: Roshon Fegan: The Disney kid, former Dancing with the Stars competitor and musician is winning no new fans with this getup that looks like a basketball outfit instead of a red carpet winner. Red sneakers, droopy shorts, and two-toned hair won't bring his career up a notch. 
 
 G Worst: Josh Groban: Yawn. Couldn't the pop star at least have worn a tie to please his rabid fans, the Grobanites! This wrinkly basic suit with pocket handkerchief seems to say, "I just want to fade into the background." 
 
 G Worst: Lucy Hale: This is colorblocking hell. The young and pretty Pretty Little Liars star's blocks of blue, yellow, and pink somehow make her look short and squat instead of chic. And also, this is more a ladies' who lunch look instead of a dress for a music awards show. 
 
 G Wackiest: Ludacris: The rapper/actor walks the Billboard Music Awards red carpet in a blinding pink tie, pink pocket hanky, and plaid shirt. Did he compare notes with Lance Bass to create this strange preppy look? He's having a good time but it's an overdose of pink. 
 
 G Best: Chrissy Teigen: John Legend's model wife gets into the spirit of the music awards with this mini dress that's reminiscent of a fan. The heavy bangs are a bit much but we can only assume Chrissy's going for a '60s vibe. Her legs look great. Did Teigen, who has said she never wears underwear, go commando? Only her singer husband knows! 
 
 G Best: Florida Georgia Line: Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of the country pop duo add some pop to the the red carpet before performing on the Billboard Music Awards. Both look sexy cool and evoke the new country spirit--Kelley in his brown fringe jacket and pendant necklace and Hubbard with his all-black ensemble with lots of buttons on his jacket. 
 
 G Wackiest: Jennifer Lopez: Hey, there little Red Riding Hood, you sure are looking...well, maybe not good, but certainly wacky! JLo is sure to stir debate in this low cut, sheer lingerie-style gown that shows off, well, just about everything! Is the American Idol judge getting too old for this at 44? It worked in 2000 with her famous green Versace jungle dress at the Grammys, but in 2014 at the Billboard Awards? Not so much! 
 
 G Best: Luke and Caroline Bryan: Cute couple alert! The country singer nominated for top male artist at the Billboard Awards does well with a simple matchy matchy light grey suit with black shirt and black boots while his wife Caroline has fun with a bold minidress bursting with orange color. The best part is they look like they're having a great time! 
 
 G Worst: Nicki Minaj: Where's our little blondie? Where's our playful ladybug? The rapper and former American Idol judge famed for her cray cray attitude and style disappoints us this time with a, strange to say, dull bondage gown. Minaj has been toning her look down big-time lately but it just doesn't feel right. Bring back the real Nicki! 
 
 G Worst: Sarah Hyland: Fashion watchers keep saying it, but young actresses don't get the message--don't dress waaay older than you are! The Modern Family 23-year-old is too fun for this tight-looking Chanel evening suit, even with the edgy zippers. She looks uncomfortable in it, too. 
 
 G Worst: Kendall and Kylie Jenner: The youngest Kardashian sisters continue to make a spectacle of themselves in their too-bare, trashy/tacky getups! We could maybe give Kendall, 18, a pass for her plastic pants, inappropriate (for a kid) cutaway top, and overdone eye makeup, but there's no excuse for 16-year-old Kylie wearing a too-tight, low-cut dress where you can see her nipples. And the hair, oh, the hair. 
 
 G Worst: Shakira: The smoking hot singer and American Judge doesn't need to wear a netted, overembelished dress that makes it clear she can't wear underwear. Shakira, please, take a page from Sofia Vergara's book and dress your curves more classily! 
 
 G Best: Ricky Martin: He bangs, he bangs, oh baby! When you have a body as toned as Martin, you don't need to do too much and he's the picture of elegance in this fitted suit with tie and dark lapel. The best dressed man on the whole red carpet. 
 
 G Wackiest: Kelly Rowland: Okay, so Rowland is known for trying to be a fashionista, but this ensemble proves that the crop top trend has officially jumped the shark! NO MORE CROP TOPS, stars! And not only do we have to look at the former Destiny's Child beauty's midriff but her boobs, too, accented by far too many gold bracelets (but no one will be looking there all evening, will they?). Smells like a sad attention-getting move. 
 
 G Wackiest: Rapper Wiz Khalifa is known for smoking a lot of weed, so was that how he got his inspiration for his ripped jean, white coat, and head scarf outfit? Only his dealer knows for sure! Meanwhile, his baby Mama Amber Rose appears to be mirroring the bizarre sun visor look of Donald Sterling's mistress, V. Stiviano! Still, for a music awards show, we love it. 
 
 G Worst: Shania Twain: To think this woman was once the sexiest gal in country music. Yes, we know she’s pushing 50, but beautiful Twain doesn’t need to hide in this boring, absolutely uninspired black dress and long overstyled hair that simply drags her down. We don’t feel she feels like a woman in this no-effort look. 
 
 G Wackiest: Natasha Bedingfield: Sorry, but this is no Pocketful of Sunshine from the British singer! From the baggy white low-waisted pants to the sheer floral overlay to the bra top, this is a whole lot of fashion don'ts. 
 
 G Worst: Billy Ray Cyrus: I guess this is what an aging country singer who doesn't care puts on for an awards show? The father of twerk queen Miley Cyrus seems miles away from his Achy Breaky stardom days in ripped jeans and an old-looking leather jacket and boots. Hey, Miley, can't you help your dear old dad update his style? 
 
 G Wackiest: Drake Bell: Ludacris and Lance Bass both put a preppy spin on their Billboard Awards show outfits, but singer Bell made it even worse by shunning a suit. He'd be more welcome in Palm Springs or at The Beverly Hills Hotel (valet, I need my car!) than Las Vegas in this bright orange polo shirt, white pants, greasy hair and sneakers.
– Justin Timberlake was the big winner at last night's Billboard Music Awards but the real star was his idol: Michael Jackson. The singer was resurrected as a hologram that performed his "new" hit "Slave to the Rhythm" off his posthumous album in front of a thrilled crowd at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena, reports the New York Daily News, which found the late singer's hologram to be "creepily real" as it moonwalked across the stage. Timberlake won a total of seven prizes, including top artist, NBC reports. "I want to thank everybody on Earth ... except Donald Sterling," he said, accepting his award from overseas via video. (For more from the awards, click to see the best, worst, and wackiest outfits.)