Michael Jackson’s hologram proves star turn in Las Vegas music awards

However, Michael Jackson made a splash via hologram and Timberlake accepted his awards via video from overseas while on tour.

A hologram of Jackson made its debut, mirroring the late star’s signature dance moves as some members of the audience became emotional.

Timberlake won seven prizes, including top artist and Billboard 200 album. “All the other finalists, Miley, Imagine Dragons, Bruno, Katy, I love you guys, it’s not a competition, but if it is, I won!” Timberlake exclaimed, dancing with his band.

The Jackson hologram performed Slave To The Rhythm, a song from Jackson’s new posthumous album Xscape, along with a plethora of background dancers. It was easily the biggest moment at the awards show.

“We tried to do as best we could what we thought Michael would have loved, and those of us who knew Michael really well, we had a good perspective on it,” Epic Records boss LA Reid said backstage. Reid worked on the album and released it.

Robin Thicke, who won four awards including top Hot 100 song for Blurred Lines, debuted a new song called Get Her Back, aiming to win over his actress-wife Paula Patton after they announced in February they were separating.

He sang on bended knee and ended with the line: “I gotta get her back tonight.”