Shakira's 'Empire' Sizzles at Billboard Music Awards

Shakira lit up the Billboard Music Awards stage Sunday night with a sizzling rendition of her new hit single "Empire" from her self-titled album.

Dressed in a sheer, sparkling dress and thigh high black boots, Shakira stalked the stage complete with a cathedral-like stage set and flames blasting on stage behind her. By song's end she had walked into the audience chanting the song's luminescent refrain "and the stars made love to the universe," pausing before a blast of steam with the mic stand held high above her head.

This week "Empire" climbed 36-32 on the Pop Songs airplay chart (May 24) and marked Shakira's 15th hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart when it debuted on the tally in April.