Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Beyonc� Take Billboard Awards

Taylor Swift

Ethan Miller/Getty

It was just like 2010 all over again: Taylor Swift was the first winner of the night at Sunday's 2011 Billboard Music Awards, where she was named 200 Album Artist of the Year over such weighty contenders as Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle, Eminem and Lady Antebellum.

Thanking her record label and her family ? "for giving me the chance to make albums" ? Swift, 21, also expressed kind words for the fans who bought and played her album, Speak Now. Clutching her trophy, she told them, "You've just given me another reason to be in love with you."

Justin Bieber was the next winner, as Digital Artist of the Year. Sporting a gold lam� tuxedo jacket, the "Baby" singer, 17, also thanked his fans, as well as his mother and "my whole family, [talent manager] Scooter Braun, Usher ? basically everyone who helped me get out of my hometown and live my dream."

Bieber was later named Top New Artist, and he again thanked his mom, whom he kissed before taking to the stage ? right after he kissed Selena Gomez, who was sitting next to him in the audience.

As PEOPLE reported from the rehearsal, a ravishingly redheaded Rihanna opened the show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with her song "S&M" before being joined a black-masked Britney Spears.

Immediately after their bows, the (off-key) singing and (pretty much in step) dancing host, The Hangover Part II star Ken Jeong, took to the stage, "This time with my clothes on," he said.

One of his ensuing comedy sequences was followed by his movie costars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis espousing their love of "urban music" ? and introducing Keith Urban, who sang his country hit "Long Hot Summer" while wife Nicole Kidman smiled at him from the audience.

All-Star Beyonc� Tribute

Taio Cruz's "Dynamite" was named Top Hot 100 Song. Lady Antebellum took Country Song of the Year, for the heavily downloaded "Need You Now." The Black Eyed Peas were the Top Duo/Group. "I want to thank our families for dealing with us," said Fergie.

At the top of the second hour, no less than First Lady Michelle Obama, Bono, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga paid tribute (on film) to Beyonce Knowles. Mrs. Obama applauded "the role model she provides so many women," while mother Tina Knowles spoke of how Whitney Houston had served as the young Beyonc�'s own role model. "Beyonc� has made history and she's not even 30 yet," said Wonder.

Performing a dynamic rendition of "Run the World (Girls)" that took her right into the audience, Beyonc� was then presented the Billboard Millennium Award, for her music and for her foundation's humanitarian work. While expressing her thanks, Beyonc� also shouted out her love to her husband, Jay-Z.

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