The 2006 (18th annual) World Music Awards were held in London, England and hosted by Lindsay Lohan on 15 November 2006.
Performances included a "Thriller" recreation by Chris Brown and a children's chorus rendition of "We Are the World" with Michael Jackson. The latter would end up being Jackson's final live performance (in fact, it was more a participation). Other performers included Andrea Bocelli, Beyoncé, Bob Sinclar, Dima Bilan, Elissa, Enya, Faithless, Katie Melua, Nelly Furtado, Rihanna, Tokio Hotel, and Suleman Mirza.
Presenters included Pamela Anderson, Natalie Imbruglia, Donatella Versace, Sugababes, Nicole Richie, Denise Richards and Brian McFadden.
The World Music Awards ceremony was televised in 160 countries including the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, Southeast Asia, China, Africa and the Middle East. In the United Kingdom it was broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 November 2006. In the U.S., ABC is the traditional home of the World Music Awards, but in recent years they have moved to MyNetworkTV, which rebroadcast the 2006 show on 1 July 2009, due to that show's tributes to the recently deceased Michael Jackson.
Diamond Award The Diamond Award honors those recording-artists who have sold over 100 million albums during their career. Past recipients include Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi. This year's recipient was Michael Jackson (awarded by Beyoncé). His most popular album "Thriller" has sold more than 104 million copies worldwide since its release in 1982, making it the best-selling album of all time.
Legend Award For Outstanding Contribution to R&B Music: Mary J. Blige
Winners
Classical World's Best-Selling Classical Artist: Andrea Bocelli
DJ World's Best-Selling DJ: Bob Sinclar Runners-up: Paul Oakenfold, Fatboy Slim, Shapeshifters and Deep Dish
Latin World's Best-Selling Latin Artist: Shakira Runners-up: Daddy Yankee, RBD, Mana and Juanes
New World's Best-Selling New Artist: James Blunt Runners-up: Carrie Underwood, Pussycat Dolls, KT Tunstall and Gnarls Barkley
Pop World's Best-Selling Pop Artist: Madonna Runners-up: Robbie Williams, James Blunt, Shakira and Justin Timberlake
Pop Rock World's Best-Selling Pop Rock Artist: Nelly Furtado Runners-up: KT Tunstall, Pink, Gwen Stefani and John Mayer
R&B World's Best-Selling R&B Artist: Beyoncé Runners-up: Mary J Blige, Rihanna, Jamie Foxx and Chris Brown
Rap Hip Hop World's Best-Selling Rap Hip Hop Artist: Kanye West Runners-up: Sean Paul, T.I., Busta Rhymes and Chamillionaire
Rock World's Best-Selling Rock Artist: Nickelback Runners-up: Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day and Keane
Regional Awards Best-Selling Arabic Artist: Elissa Best-Selling Barbadian Artist: Rihanna Best-Selling Chinese Artist: Jay Chou Best-Selling German Artist: Tokio Hotel Best-Selling Irish Artist: Enya Best-Selling Italian Artist: Andrea Bocelli Best-Selling Russian Artist: Dima Bilan Best-Selling UK Artist: James Blunt Best-Selling US Artist: Madonna
References
External links The 2006 World Music Awards at the Internet Movie Database