Vanessa Hudgens Ludacris
Ludacris challenged Vanessa Hudgens to do impressions of Nicki Minaj and Celine Dion at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday night. Reuters

Vanessa Hudgens wasn’t scheduled to sing at Sunday’s 2017 Billboard Music Awards, though she had one of the night’s most memorable performances. Co-hosting the event along with rapper Ludacris at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Hudgens helped kick off the ABC show by doing spot-on impressions of Nicki Minaj and Celine Dion.

It’s the first time that Hudgens is hosting the Billboard Music Awards, while Ludacris has been a mainstay at the event. With Hudgens being his third co-host in as many years, the “Fast and Furious” star put the actress to the test right away.

READ: Who Is Performing At The Billboard Awards? Full Performer List

The show began with a nine-minute performance by Minaj. When the hosts took the stage shortly after, Hudgens described Minaj as her “rap alter-ego,” prompting a challenge from Ludacris.

“Since this is your first time hosting the awards, this is what I’m gonna do,” Ludacris said to Hudgens. “This is like a hazing process. We are live in a 192 countries right now, so I’m gonna put you on the spot on worldwide TV. Let’s hear your Nicki.”

Hudgens spit a few lyrics from Minaj’s verse on Kanye West’s “Monster,” which peaked at No. 18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 after it was released in 2010.

But Ludacris wouldn’t let Hudgens off the hook just yet. When Hudgens told the rapper that she used to sing Dion’s “The Power of Love” as a seven-year-old, Ludacris asked her again to impersonate another iconic artist.

As well as Hudgens did in trying to mimic Minaj, her impression of Dion was that much better. Dion was first mentioned because of her scheduled performance of “My Heart Will Go On” at the Billboard Music Awards 20 years after its release.

Dion’s cover of “The Power of Love” in 1993 reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was originally recorded by Jennifer Rush in 1984.

Hudgens is known largely for her acting roles, but she was first introduced to most of the country because of her singing abilities. She starred in Disney’s “High School Musical” in 2006, and she even performed part of “Senior Year Spring Musical” from “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” at the 2009 Academy Awards.

Releasing “V” in 2006 and “Identified” in 2008, Hudgens has two solo albums on her resume. Neither album reached higher than No. 23 on The Billboard 200. “Come Back to Me” in 2006 was her highest charted single from either album at No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Breaking Free,” which she performed with Zac Efron on the “High School Musical” soundtrack, peaked at No. 4 in the U.S.

Hudgens replaced Ciara, who co-hosted the 2016 Billboard Music Awards with Ludacris. Chrissy Teigen was the rapper’s co-host the previous year. Ludacris hosted the event by himself in 2014.

The 2017 Billboard Music Awards are airing Sunday night on ABC. Find out how to live stream the show HERE and find out who is nominated HERE.

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