Taylor Swift to Perform ‘ME!’ at Billboard Music Awards

By Anna Tingley

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – Taylor Swift fans have a lot to be happy about this week.

After releasing the song “ME!” off her forthcoming album, alongside a sugary music video, it was announced that the global pop-star will open the 2019 Billboard Music Awards with the new single. Swift will take the stage alongside previously announced performers BTS, Paula Abdul, Jonas Brothers, Halsey, Madonna, Khalid, and 2019 ICON Award recipient Mariah Carey, among others.

Swift’s premiere performance marks the first time the 29 year-old singer will return to the BBMAs stage since singing her hit “22 ” at the awards show in 2013. Earning herself a record number of wins since, with 23 awards to her name, Swift is once again receiving nods in the Top Female Artist and Top Touring Artist categories at this year’s event.

The debut of “ME!,” which features Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon Urie, came after an array of subtle clues given by Swift over the past week on social media, hinting at titles and themes of her seventh studio album. Anticipation continued to build hours before the video’s release when Swift announced the song’s title with Robin Roberts on ABC during the NFL Draft. And less than a day after its midnight debut,the fantastical video has already reached nearly 30 million views on YouTube.

“‘ME!’ is a song about embracing your individuality and really celebrating it and owning it,” Swift told Roberts. “With a pop song, we have an ability to get a melody stuck in people’s heads and I just want it to be one that makes them feel better about themselves.”

Hosted by Kelly Clarkson, the event will broadcast from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.