Beyonce Mesmerizes With ‘Run the World’ Performance, Accepts Billboard Millennium Award

Beyonce brought remarkable visual effects to an intense performance of 'Run the World (Girls)' at tonight's Billboard Music Awards, earning a standing ovation, before accepting the Millennium Award.

The performance opened with a black-and-white introductory video featuring accolades from her mother, her father, First Lady Michelle Obama, and legendary acts like Bono, Stevie Wonder, Babyface and Barbra Streisand.

Next, a giant lion head appeared on the video screen, shooting glitter from its mouth as Beyonce took the stage. "Ladies, our revolution has begun!," she screamed.

As the song started, viewers were treated to a series of impressive visual effects, including laser lights and video clones of the singer that appeared on the screen behind her, creating an army of Beyonces as she sang the militaristic track.

Beyonce ventured into the crowd, where she shouted a line right in Matthew Morrison's face. Eventually, the digital Beyonces gave way to actual female dancers, dozens of them, who backed up the singer as she finished the track to wild applause.

After performing, Beyonce was presented with the Billboard Millennium Award by her mother. She thanked her former Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, saying, "I wouldn't be standing on this stage if it wasn't for y'all."

She added a rare public thank you to the original Destiny's Child members, LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson. Beyonce also thanked her fans and her husband, who she called her best friend. "I love me some Jay-Z!," she boasted.

Watch Beyonce Perform 'Run the World (Girls)' at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards

Gallery: 2011 Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet Pictures