12 famous musicians who lost 'top new artist' at the Billboard Music Awards

The Billboard Music Awards usually serve as a reliable indicator of which artists are selling the most records, which artists are gaining momentum on the charts, and which artists are about to explode upon the music scene. The latter category is best represented by one highly coveted award: top new artist.

But many years provide some fierce competition for this category, meaning some of the biggest artists today lost out on the trophy the year they were up for it.

With the 2019 BBMAs fast approaching, we're looking back on some of the famous names who have lost top new artist throughout the years but who have gone on to have amazing careers and to top the charts in the years since.

Charlie Puth lost to Fetty Wap in 2016.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for 103.5 KTU

At the 2016 Billboard Music Awards , Fetty Wap beat Omi, Silent, Bryson Tiller, and Charlie Puth for the top new artist award.

Kesha lost to Justin Bieber in 2011.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Kesha had stiff competition for the award in 2011. She may have had a hit song topping the charts at the time with "We R Who We R," but ultimately, Bieber took the prize.

Ariana Grande lost to Lorde in 2014.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Dennis Van Tine/STAR MAX/IPx

It was a battle of the pop queens back in 2014. Lorde beat Ariana Grande for top new artist, but given that the two women are both Grammy award-winning and commercially successful artists now, it seems to have turned out alright for both of them.

Lorde also triumphed over Bastille, Capital Cities, and Passenger .

Bruno Mars lost to Justin Bieber in 2011

BusinessInsider USA Images

Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

Again, when it comes to record sales, Justin Bieber is a formidable opponent. He beat a slew of successful musicians in 2011, including the "Nothin' on You" singer.

Alessia Cara lost to Zayn Malik in 2017.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Andrew Kelly/Reuters

The former One Direction member took the award two years ago , besting Alessia Cara, who went on to win best new artist at the 2018 Grammy Awards .

Lil Uzi Vert lost to Zayn Malik in 2017.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

The "Dark Queen" rapper also lost to Zayn that year, along with Alessia Cara, Desiigner, and Lukas Graham.

Carly Rae Jepsen lost to One Direction in 2013.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

"Call Me Maybe" may have exploded on the charts, but it had fierce competition when it came to One Direction who also beat out Gotye, The Lumineers, and PSY.

5 Seconds of Summer lost to Sam Smith in 2015.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Stringer/Getty Images

Despite dropping their debut album in 2014, 5 Seconds of Summer still didn't beat Sam Smith for top new artist.

Meghan Trainor also lost out on the award in 2015.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Jerritt Clark /Getty Images

Another current pop superstar that lost to Sam Smith in 2015 is Meghan Trainor. Smith also beat Hozier and Iggy Azalea.

Nicki Minaj lost to Justin Bieber in 2011.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Minaj joined the ranks of Bruno Mars, Kesha, and Taio Cruz when Bieber won top new artist in 2011. But just like them, Minaj has had a pretty impressive career since.

Cardi B lost to Khalid in 2018.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Ryan Kang/AP Images for the NFL

Last year, Queen Cardi herself lost to Khalid for the category , but both artists have had booming careers since.

Camila Cabello also lost to Khalid in 2018.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Andrew Chin/Getty Images

Despite her star catapulting after leaving Fifth Harmony, Cabello also didn't beat out Khalid for top new artist in 2018. Other stars who missed out were 21 Savage and Kodak Black.

The 2019 Billboard Music Awards will air on NBC on May 1.