Our hearts go out to all the victims in the Santa Fe community and their families. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7ejLAd8nKk [1]

— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 21, 2018 [2]

When Kelly Clarkson stepped on the Billboard Music Awards stage to fulfil her hosting duties [3], she didn't try to hide her emotions. Instead, the superstar singer started things off with a very emotional plea for gun control. As she attempted not to cry, the Texas native revealed she was asked to orchestrate a moment of silence after the tragic Santa Fe school shooting [4] on May 18, which left at least eight dead and a dozen hospitalised. Kelly decided to ask for a "moment of action" instead.

"I'm so sick of moments of silence — it's not working," she said. "You should be able to live your life without that kind of fear . . . we're failing our children and failing our communities."

Watch her poignant moment above.