Bruno Mars dedicates Innovator Award to fans

6 March 2017

Bruno Mars dedicated his Innovator Award to his fans at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Bruno Mars

The '24K Magic' hitmaker was honoured with the prestigious accolade at the star-studded bash at The Forum in Inglewood, California, on Sunday (05.03.17) and used his speech to thank his fan base for making him a "better songwriter" and his band, who he "couldn't" have done it "without".

Speaking on stage, he said: "Let me get started with the guys behind me. We've come a long way. We used to play in bars not too far from here, in 200-seater rooms.

"Now you see these guys in the Super Bowl. This is my family right here. I love you and couldn't have done it without you."

On his loyal followers, he added: "Most importantly, I want to thank the fans in the building and the fans at home. You make me want to be a better songwriter and entertainer."

Other big winners on the night included chart-topping electronic duo The Chainsmokers - comprised of Alex Pall and Drew Taggart - who took home three gongs for Best New Artist, Dance Song of the Year for 'Closer' featuring Halsey and Best New Pop Artist.

Bruno Mars picked up the Innovator Award and twenty one pilots took home Alternative Rock Song of the Year for 'Heathens' and Alternative Rock Artist of the Year.

And, though he couldn't attend due to being in Paris for Fashion Week, Zayn appeared in a video message with his girlfriend and co-star in his video for 'Pillow Talk', Gigi Hadid, to accept the Best Music Video accolade.

In the short clip, the former One Direction star, 24, said: "I'm currently in Paris. Sorry I can't be there.

"A little birdie told me that I've actually won an award, so thank you very much. I'm very honored. To everyone that voted, it means a lot, and my costar's actually sitting next to me right here, so she's gonna say hello as well."

And Fifth Harmony vowed to make their fans "proud" with their new music as they picked up the Best Fan Army gong at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

The 'That's My Girl' girl group's fanbase - known as Harmonizers - beat off stiff competition from the likes of Beyonce's Beyhive, Justin Bieber's Beliebers and Rihanna's Navy to take home the prestigious gong.

In their acceptance speech, Ally Brooke, 23 - who is joined by Lauren Jauregui and Normani Kordei and Dinah Jane in the pop band - said: "Thank you so much. Wow. This is truly amazing. Fans, you guys are truly a force to be reckoned with.

"We love you too. Thank you for bringing so much joy and kindness and love to our world. We wouldn't be the same without you. We thank God for you. This is for you, so thank you so much."

And Dinah, 19, added: "Y'all have been working so hard and we have been working just as hard.

"We are sure to make you all so proud. Y'all stay tuned for new music."

The 2017 iHeartRadio Music are as follows:

Innovator Award - Bruno Mars

Song of the Year: 'Can't Stop the Feeling' - Justin Timberlake

Best New Artist: The Chainsmokers

Alternative Rock Song of the Year:

'Heathens' - twenty one pilots

Alternative Rock Artist of the Year:

twenty one pilots

Rock Song of the Year:

'Bang Bang' - Green Day