The 2016 Billboard Music Awards: Britney Spears breaks all the rules in brazen red carpet outfit

The 2016 Billboard Music Awards promises to deliver a night of sensational music performances and grand star turns. As some of the biggest names in music converged at theT-Mobile arena in Las Vegas, all eyes were on the red carpet where the fashion statements are always outrageous and, clearly, anything goes.

Style icons and trendsetters such as Gwen Stefani, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Ciara and Ariana Grande made their dramatic entry, setting the sartorial standard for the night with an array of spectacular ensembles that only a superstar would dare carry off.

Britney Spears followed the current trend for bold, brazen, barely-there outfits in what appeared to be little more than a black bikini with lace overlay and purple train. Matching the flesh-baring outfit with knee-length fishnet stockings and high heels, the Slave 4 U singer - due to be performing a medley of her songs later in the evening - wasn't shy about showing some skin.

Laura Marano, Keltie Knight and Rachel Platten were among the early arrivals while recording artist Z LaLa turned heads in a curious get up, fashioned into a cut-out black gown, which was paired with a similarly outrageous headpiece.

Actress and singer Keke Palmer wore an unforgiving, skin tight magenta dress that showed off her figure to full effect, while Liz Henrandez wore a rather more understated, but cleavage baring, cream dress. Meanwhile, Ciara put her best foot forward in a revealing silver dress that set the tone for the night, with the singer joining Fast & Furious actor and rapper Ludacris as host for the event.

This year's Billboard Music Awards features performances from the most in demand music stars of the moment, including Justin Bieber, Kesha, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Pink, DNCE and Nick Jonas. Rumoured lovebirds Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani will perform their duet Go Ahead And Break My Heart, while pop icon Madonna's tribute to the late Prince is expected to be a highlight of the award-show.

The event will also see Celine Dion receive the coveted Icon Award, while British singing sensation Adele will also premiere her brand new music video to a global audience.

The show will broadcast live on ABC and, for the first time, across all time zones in the US starting at 8pm ET on Monday, 23 May.