Las Vegas turned into Ashanti town as hip-hop swept the stage at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards...
Cher (with son Elijah Blue Allman) wore a signature shock frock.
The night was "a big freak out," said Steven Tyler, playing with a freebie Hello Kitty phone.
Opening the Dec. 9 show was "a big thing," said Avril Lavigne. "It's cool that I'm part of it."
Nursing a broken foot, Justin Timberlake arrived in a wheelchair and later sang his ballad "Cry Me a River."
Ashanti (with Ja Rule) had eight Billboard wins: "This year has been a whirlwind."
...while in L.A., the VH1 Big in 2002 Awards picked the best and worst in show
Sharon Osbourne (with Jon Bon Jovi) was the only VH1 winner to score a standing ovation.
"We're here to party," said Christina Aguilera, arriving at the Dec. 4 awards, "and get a little dirrty."
Lisa Marie Presley, on her first outing since the Nicolas Cage split, makes peace with herself.
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