They demonstrated their chemistry in the studio and on camera, translating to hits on the Billboard charts. Now Ludacris and Ciara will attempt to create some more magic at the Billboard Music Awards, as the two were tapped by Dick Clark Productions to co-host this year’s event.
“Man, my contract … it was right!” joked Ludacris in response to a question about why he returned to co-host the BBMAs for a third consecutive year. The first time he flew solo; last year model Chrissy Teigen was by his side. “Nah, at the end of the day I came back because they told me that they were getting this woman named Ciara to host with me.”
That, of course, elicited an “aww” from Ciara.
“We’ve known each other for so long and every time we get together it’s always fun,” added Ciara. “So I thought this would be awesome and there’s going to be a lot of energy.”
Of course Luda, born Christopher Bridges and Ciara, nee Harris collaborated on the single, “Oh.” Ludacris is also featured on Ciara’s single “Ride.”
But perhaps that aforementioned energy is coming from a different source. I asked Ludacris what he normally does off-camera as the award show progresses.
“Just taking shots,” he replied without missing a beat. “That’s the best way to get prepared for whatever is to come.”
“What, basketball shots?” Ciara quickly chimed in.
“Exactly!” said Luda.
These two are already in mid-show form.
Finalists for the BBMAs were revealed last week on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” The Weeknd leads all artists with nods in 16 different categories. Behind him is fellow Canadian Justin Bieber with 11; yet another singer that Ludacris is all-too-familiar with.
“Man, I started with Justin Bieber with the ‘Baby,’ (and) over a billion views,” Ludacris recalled, referencing the music video on YouTube for the single. “I’m just happy to see his progression over all these years and to know that I was the first person that really kind of co-signed him from a musical standpoint … I just love that everybody who had something to say, they can’t say a damn thing right now about his career and about him as an artist.”
Bieber is up for the night’s biggest award, Top Artist.
“I’m happy for him,” Ciara added. “From a personal perspective, like I don’t know him like that-like that but it’s been cool to watch him take his personal journey and grow as a young man.”
Next up: we’ll see if Bieber can take home any hardware. The BBMAs air at 8 p.m May 22 on ABC, live from the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
