Lorde too ill to attend iHeartRadio Music Awards

Lorde had to film her iHeartRadio Music Awards Best New Artist acceptance speech from her sick bed.

Presenter Jared Leto accepted the prize on the singer's behalf at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Thursday night (01May14) before the beaming teenager appeared on a video screen above the stage.

She said, "I'm so sorry I couldn't be there tonight. I am in New Zealand on house rest because I've been really sick and my mum pretty much only let me out of bed this morning to film this speech. Forgive me."

The Royals singer wasn't the only sick star who couldn't make it to the awards - Miley Cyrus was unable to personally claim her Best Lyrics prize for Wrecking Ball, and sent her dad in her place.

Cyrus has suffered a setback as she recovers from an allergic reaction to medication she was taking for a sinus infection, which put her in the hospital for 10 days last month (Apr14).

Rihanna was also a no-show at the awards ceremony on Thursday - she missed out on accepting the inaugural ceremony's honour for Hip Hop/R&B Song of the Year because she was stuck in rush hour traffic.

The Umbrella singer was later spotted in the audience during Ariana Grande's performance.