2012 Billboard Award Nominees As Kids!

The 2012 Billboard Music Awards, hosted by “Modern Family's” Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, honors the best and brightest artists that the top the Billboard charts throughout the year. Superstars like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Adele and Justin Bieber are among the nominees, and our friends at Snakkle.com shared their pics so you can see what these musicians looked like before they were on stage and inspiring millions. The Billboard Music Awards air Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and features performances from Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, LMFAO, Usher, Linkin Park and Chris Brown.

 

Adele Today: Adele leads the pack as a finalist in 18 categories at this Sunday’s event, including Top Artist and Top Female Artist. She will be the one to watch to see if she beats out nominees like Lil Wayne and Katy Perry. Just last week the English songstress’ album “21” surpassed 9 million in U.S. sales and tied with Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl" for the second longest Top 10 run among albums by women.

 

Adam Levine Today: Adam grew out of his awkward years and got “Moves Like Jagger,” the catchy pop song with his band Maroon 5 (that features fellow “The Voice” judge Christina Aguilera) that is up for Top Hit 100 Song. Maroon 5 is also nominated for Top Duo/Group with Coldplay, Lady Antebellum, LMFAO and The Black Eyed Peas.

 

Justin Bieber Today: Baby Justin was the first child of mom Patricia Lynn "Pattie" Mallette. Only 18 and a single mom, Pattie moved back to Stratford, Ontario, to raise her baby boy with the support of her parents. Fast-forward 18 years later: “The Biebs” is performing Sunday and also pitted against Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Drake, and Lil Wayne for Top Male Artist category.

 Lady Gaga Today: All grown up now, Lady Gaga is up for 10 categories of the Billboard Music Awards and going against finalists Lil Wayne, Adele, Rihanna, and Katy Perry to try to take home Top Artist. Gaga is sure to make for exciting TV for her “Little Monster” fans whenever her category winners are announced

 

Lil Wayne Today: As a 7th grader at McMain Magnet School in New Orleans (previous pic), Lil Wayne had already made his recording debut—at age 9. The rapper hit it big with a platinum album in 1999 and hasn’t looked back since. Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne are each nominated in 10 categories, and he goes up against “The Biebs” for Top Male Artist.

 

Taylor Swift Today: Taylor was still in diapers when she started singing her own tunes and belting out her favorite songs in family’s home in Pennsylvania. Not only did the 22-year-old lead Billboard’s 2012 Top 40 Money Makers list, she is a finalist for Top Touring Artist, up against music heavy weights Bon Jovi and U2.

 

LMFAO’s DJ Redfoo Today: That is the other fun half of zany pop duo LMFAO, Stefan Gordy (a.k.a. DJ Redfoo) posing with friend actress Christine Lakin of “Step by Step” in the preppy Palisades area of LA. LMFAO’s party anthem song will battle it out against Adele, Maroon 5 and even Katy Perry (with Kanye’s help) for her song “ET.”

 

LMFAO’s Sky Blu Today: That kissy pic is Sky Blu (a.k.a. Skyler Gordy) with his legendary music mogul and hit-maker Grandfather, Berry Gordy. Music is definitely in the family genes that make up LMFAO. The group is a finalist in a whopping 17 categories.

Source: Yahoo