Taylor Swift To Open 2019 Billboard Music Awards With 'ME!' Live Premiere

Taylor Swift is opening the 2019 Billboard Music Awards with the first-ever live premiere of her new song.

Hours after unleashing her first track of the year on Friday (April 26), Billboard announced Swift will kick off the show on the BBMAs stage with the worldwide television debut of her newest single "ME!" Panic! at the Disco's Brendon Urie, who appears on the uplifting tune as a featured artist, will perform his own set and alongside the 29-year-old at the awards ceremony, hosted by Kelly Clarkson on MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas next Wednesday (May 1).

After weeks of teasing her long-awaited project with cryptic clues, the "Delicate" musician confirmed the name of her latest cut on Good Morning America hours ahead of the song's (Easter egg-heavy) music video premiere. “It’s about embracing your individuality and celebrating it and owning it,” Swift explained to GMA’s Robin Roberts in an exclusive interview. “With a pop song, we have the ability to get a melody stuck in people’s heads. I just want it to be one that makes them feel better about themselves.”

Swift joins previously announced performers Clarkson, Halsey, Ciara, Tori Kelly and Dan + Shay, Jonas Brothers, Khalid, Panic! at the Disco, and Lauren Daigle. As previously reported, Sam Smith and Normani were slated to deliver a live rendition of their collab "Dancing With a Stranger" at the show, however, Smith canceled the gig this week, citing vocal strain.

In case you missed it, hip-hop stars are dominating this year's 2019 BBMAs nominees list, with Cardi B leading the pack with the most nominations of the night at 21; Drake and Post Malone with 17 nods each; Travis Scott with 12 nominations and the late XXXTentacion with 10.

The 2019 BBMAs broadcast live on May 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

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