The 2015 Billboard Music Awards co-host Chrissy Teigen joined Empire's Jussie Smollett to announce the finalists for the 2015 Billboard Music Awards yesterday morning, April 7. The pair's vibrant announcement included their admiration for Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson.
According to Billboard, the duo announced the award show finalists and Smollett reflected on how far his success has gone in just one year.
"This time last year I was sitting watching the Billboard Awards," Smollett said according to Billboard, "So this is huge."
Smollet plays Jamal Lyon on Empire, the hip-hop drama that has gained a large fan base during its first season. In an interview with POPSUGAR the actor shared how he processed his new gig on Empire and what it was like singing a duet with Patti LaBelle.
"I had to take a moment when we filmed it," Smollet told POPSUGAR. "Again, I'm a Cancer, so I cried. It was so embarrassing, but I was very emotional that day. She doesn't know this. Nobody knows this except Gabby [Becky], AzMarie [Chicken], and Ty [Porsha]. They came into my dressing room, and I had a towel over my face and I was crying. And then Az was like, 'Are you serious?' I was a total loser, crying, but it was such an emotional moment in the show. It's Patti LaBelle!"
Smollet also joined Teigen in their love and admiration for the Queen Bey, Beyoncé.
"I'm a big Beyoncé fan," Teigen added, along with a story about how she broke her foot dancing to Beyonce's "7/11", according to Billboard.
Smollett added his hopes of one day having Beyoncé, Jackson and Carey appear on Empire.
Teigen will co-host the 2015 Billboard Awards Show with Ludaversal rapper, Ludacris. She revealed that she's most excited to "mess with Ludacris."
The awards show will air May 17 on ABC.
