Another highlight came when BTS, who won top social artist Sunday night, performed onstage.

Clarkson sported huge, puffy earmuffs as she introduced the K-pop group, who easily earned the loudest applause from the audience throughout the night. Whenever their name was mentioned, or when the camera panned to the band members, the audience erupted — some even holding fan made signs.

The seven-member group danced slickly onstage as they sang "Fake Love," the single from their album "Love Yourself: Tear," released Friday.

Ed Sheeran, who didn't attend the show but performed from Dublin, won the night's biggest honor — top artist — besting Mars, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift.