Rita Ora bares all in Cher-inspired thong ensemble at Billboard Music Awards

Rita Ora went all out with her ensemble at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday (21May17), taking inspiration from honoree Cher by wearing a thong under her sheer skirt.

The 26-year-old singer courted attention in her Francesco Scognamiglio look, comprising a bejeweled white top and black lace skirt, which was so see-through that her black thong underwear could clearly be seen beneath.

Revealing her motivation in deciding on the outfit, Rita told E! that it was her homage to legendary singer Cher, who accepted the Icon gong at the Las Vegas ceremony.

"I mean she’s 71 you guys, and that’s amazing and is probably why I have this situation going on," the singer said, before turning around and shaking her posterior at the camera, giving viewers a closer look at her toned figure. "She (wore) a black thong. So I was like ‘I need to be inspired, rocking it and moving it.’”

The lacy skirt was teamed with a white puff shouldered top with jewel embellishments, while Rita wore her hair slicked back in a sleek bob. Her make-up was kept relatively simple, with eyeliner and metallic accents adding glamour, while dark nail polish and strappy black sandals completed the look.

Cher famously wore a black thong under a bodysuit for her video for If I Could Turn Back Time back in 1989. The singer, who marked her 71st birthday on Saturday, took to the stage at the ceremony for her first awards show performance in 15 years to belt out her hit song Believe while wearing a revealing silver look with nipple pasties.

And accepting the Icon award later on, Cher joked to the audience: "This is not an applause thing. I'm 71 yesterday. So ...Yes. And I can do a five-minute plank, okay? Just saying."

Other eye-catching looks at the 2017 Awards included the showstopping winged white Stephane Rolland Haute Couture gown Celine Dion wore to perform her Titanic theme My Heart Will Go On.