Finalists for 2015's Billboard Music Awards were revealed Tuesday (April 7) on ABC's Good Morning America. Then Luda's first-time co-host Chrissy Teigen and Empire star Jussie Smollett unveiled the remaining finalists during a Twitter press conference and Q&A. In the Christian music categories, Hillsong UNITED, Lecrae, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, and Newsboys all have more than one nomination. While this is Carrie Underwood's first time to be a finalist in a Christian music category.
Billboard Music Awards finalists are based on album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring and social-media interactions -- measurements that are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of March 10, 2014, through March 8, 2015.
In addition to this year's 40 chart-specific categories, fans will choose who gets the Billboard chart achievement award by voting on Billboard.com, BillboardMusicAwards.com and on Twitter; Swift, Azalea and Trainor are up for the only fan-voted prize.
The Billboard Music Awards -- produced by Dick Clark Productions -- will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17, from 8-11 p.m. ET on ABC.
TOP CHRISTIAN ARTIST
Casting Crowns
Hillsong United
Lecrae
MercyMe
Newsboys
TOP CHRISTIAN ALBUM
Lecrae, Anomaly
Casting Crowns, Thrive
MercyMe, Welcome to the New
NEEDTOBREATHE, Rivers in the Wasteland
Chris Tomlin, Love Ran Red
TOP CHRISTIAN SONG
Francesca Battistelli, "He Knows My Name"
Hillsong United, "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"
MercyMe, "Greater"
Newsboys, "We Believe"
Carrie Underwood, "Something in the Water"
