Taylor Swift Dominates at 2013 Billboard Music Awards

Taylor Swift stole the show at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, winning eight awards and delivering one of the more creative and eye-catching performances of the night. The singer sang '22' surrounded by a rotating cast of dozens of backup dancers before accepting honors for Top Artist, Top Album and more.

Swift was nominated for 11 awards in all, but lost to Maroon 5, Justin Bieber and Psy in the Top 100 Artist, Top Social Artist and Top Streaming Song categories, respectively. While Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood were also nominated for awards, only Swift brought a trophy back to Nashville. She swept the country categories, including Top Country Artist, Top Country Album ('Red') and Top Country Song ('We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together').

Her most memorable acceptance speech may have been for Top Artist, the big prize of the night. "I just want to thank you guys for making my music the soundtrack to your crazy emotions," she told her fans. "You are the longest and best relationship I have ever had."

It was the second time the 23-year-old took a jab at the criticisms and media frenzy surrounding her. During her performance of '22,' Swift wore a t-shirt with "Haters Gonna Hate" written in the cartoon caption. Since the Billboard Music Awards began re-airing in 2011, Swift has won 13 awards and been nominated 21 times.