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Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg, will all be honored with the BET Ultimate Icon Award, “celebrating their decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact.”
Carey, Franklin, and Snoop are also set to perform on the show. Hosted by Kevin Hart, the 2025 BET Awards, promoted as “Culture’s Biggest Night,” will air live on Monday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
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Franklin has won 20 Grammys, Carey has won five, and Foxx has won one. Snoop Dogg has yet to win a Grammy, despite 16 nominations. But Snoop won a Primetime Emmy in 2022 as a performer on The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, which was voted outstanding variety special (live). Foxx won an Oscar in 2005 for his lead role in the 2004 biopic Ray. Foxx also hosted the BET Awards twice, in 2009 and 2018.
Previous Ultimate Icon Award recipients are Janet Jackson (2015), Deborah L. Lee (2018), and Tyler Perry (2019).
As previously announced, Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti and Leon Thomas will perform at the 2025 BET Awards. More performers are expected to be announced.
Kendrick Lamar leads the 2025 BET Awards nominations with 10 nods. Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla are tied with six nods. Metro Boomin earned five, followed by SZA and The Weeknd, with four nods each.
As previously announced, BET will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the music video countdown show 106 & Park with a tribute. Former hosts AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J will reunite on stage for a nostalgic celebration. The tribute will feature performances from previous host, Bow Wow, as well as Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I., and more.
Culture’s Biggest Week returns with BET Experience 2025 (BETX), two days of immersive fan-focused events on Thursday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, ahead of the 2025 BET Awards.
Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, GloRilla, Playboi Carti, and Leon Thomas are the first performers announced for the 2025 BET Awards. The 25th anniversary show will air live from Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Monday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
GloRilla is one of this year’s leading nominees, with six nominations, including album of the year for Glorious. Playboi Carti has one of the most successful albums of 2025; Music (which was released after the eligibility period for the 2025 BET Awards ended) topped the Billboard 200 for three weeks in March and April.
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More performers and honorees will be announced. Comedian Kevin Hart will host the show. It’s his second time fronting the show, having previously hosted in 2011.
“We’re setting the tone for a night that celebrates 25 years of impact, creativity, and Black culture,” Connie Orlando, evp of specials, music programming & music strategy at BET, said in a statement. “With electrifying performances from some of the biggest names in music and an iconic comedic host, BET Awards 2025 will be a can’t-miss celebration of everything the culture represents.”
BET will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the launch of its music video countdown show 106 & Park with a special tribute, with creative direction by Teyana Taylor and The Aunties Production. Former hosts AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz, and Terrence J will reunite on stage for a nostalgic celebration. The tribute will feature performances by Bow Wow (who hosted the show from 2012-14), Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, T.I., and more. 106 & Park aired on BET from 2000-14. There are reports that a reboot of the show will premiere by September.
Kendrick Lamar leads the 2025 BET Awards nominations with 10 nods. Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla are tied with six nominations, Metro Boomin earned five, and SZA and The Weeknd are tied with four each.
Orlando serves as the executive producer for BET Awards 2025, with Jamal Noisette, svp of tentpoles & music community engagement, for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.
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t is clear Kendrick Lamar had a banner year in 2024. He leads the nominations for the 25th BET Awards with 10 nods.
As spotted on Deadline, Kendrick Lamar is poised to be the man of the hour at the 2025 BET Awards. On Wednesday (May 7), the television network announced the nominations for their upcoming ceremony and K-Dot locked in 10 nods throughout several categories. His nominations include Album of the Year for GNX, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” three Viewer’s Choice Award slots for “Not Like Us,” “Luther,” featuring SZA, and “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin. He is also up for three Best Collaboration awards for “Like That,” “30 for 30,” and “Luther,” featuring SZA. He is also up for Video Director of the Year with his frequent collaborator Dave Free, and Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
While Kendrick is the front-runner some of his Rap colleagues will also have the opportunity to have a big night. Doechii is also nominated six times with her Alligator Bites Never Heal mixtape up for Album Of The Year, Video of the Year and Viewer’s Choice Award for “Denial is a River,” BET Her for “Bloom,” Best Collaboration for “Alter Ego” featuring JT, and Best Female Hip Hop Artist.Drake is also up for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Album Of The Year for $ome $exy $ongs 4 U with PartyNextDoor, Video Of The Year for Family Matters, Best Group, Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, and Viewer’s Choice Award for “Nokia.”
The 2025 BET Awards will stream live Monday (June 9), on BET at 8 p.m. ET/PT hosted by Kevin Hart.
Just as Kendrick Lamar leads the 2025 BET Award nominations, which were announced on Thursday (May 8), he is likely to also lead the Grammy nominations when they’re announced later this year.
Lamar has been the leading Grammy nominee twice before. He had 11 nominations leading up to the 2016 ceremony, and eight nods leading up to the 2019 ceremony. He has finished second (or in a tie for second) four other times — twice behind Jay-Z and twice behind Beyoncé. If Lamar amasses 11 nominations, he’ll match his personal best. If he garners 12, he’ll tie Michael Jackson (1984) and Babyface (1997) for the most nominations by anyone in any one year.
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The Grammys and BET Awards operate on different timetables. The eligibility year for this year’s BET Awards was March 16, 2024, through March 15, 2025. The eligibility year for the upcoming Grammys is Aug. 31, 2024, through Aug. 30, 2025. And, of course, the Grammys cover all genres, while the BET Awards focus on various forms of Black music. But the BET Awards offer some clues about which way Grammy voters may be leaning.
Three of the BET nominees for album of the year won album awards at the Grammys on Feb. 2. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter won both best country album and album of the year, Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal won best rap album and Chris Brown’s 11:11 Deluxe won best R&B album. A fourth BET album of the year nominee, Future and Metro Boomin’s We Don’t Trust You, was nominated for a Grammy for best rap album.
The other four BET nominees will be eligible for the 2026 Grammys — Lamar’s GNX, The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow, GloRilla’s Glorious and the Drake-Partynextdoor collab Some $exy $ongs 4U.
GNX seems virtually certain to be Grammy nominated for album of the year. It would be Lamar’s fifth album of the year nomination as a lead artist, which would allow him to break out of a tie with Ye (formerly Kanye West) for the most album of the year nods by a rapper.
Two of the BET nominees for best new artist — Shaboozey and Teddy Swims — were Grammy nominated in that category at this year’s show. Two other BET nominees in that category are presumed to be ineligible for Grammy nominations in that category. Leon Thomas won a Grammy two years ago for co-writing SZA’s “Snooze,” which was voted best R&B song. Ayra Starr was nominated as a performer two years ago for best African music performance for “Rush.”
The five other BET nominees — 41, BigXthaPlug, BossMan Dlow, Dee Billz and October London — are likely to be eligible to compete for the Grammy in that highly competitive category later this year.
Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which won a Grammy for best music video on Feb. 2, is nominated for BET’s video of the year. Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott and Playboi Carti’s “Type Shit” was also entered in that Grammy category, though it wasn’t nominated.
Luther Vandross is the subject of three BET Awards nominations. Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” now in its 11th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, is up for both best collaboration and the viewers choice award. And the documentary Luther: Never Too Much is nominated for best movie.
Vandross didn’t receive a lifetime achievement award from the BET Awards. He died in 2005, just four years after the show originated. Vandross, who is widely considered the leading R&B male balladeer of his generation, has yet to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy, either.
In other BET nominations news, Blue Ivy Carter, the 13-year-old daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, is nominated for the Young Stars Award, an award she won last year. The BET allows multiple nominations and wins in that category. Blackish co-star Marsai Martin won it five times. Yara Shaidi and Keke Palmer each won it twice.
Wicked was passed over for a nod for best movie, but Cynthia Erivo is nominated for best actress for her performance in the film. And “Defying Gravity,” by Erivo featuring Ariana Grande, is up for the BET Her award. At the Grammys, Wicked can compete for best compilation soundtrack for visual media, while “Defying Gravity” can compete for best pop duo/group performance.
The 25th BET Awards will be held on Monday (June 9) at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. Comedian Kevin Hart is set to host for the second time.
Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees for the 2025 BET Awards. The “Squabble Up” MC notched 10 nods, including album of the year for GNX, as well as video of the year for his Drake diss “Not Like Us” and three viewer’s choice award notices for “Not Like Us,” “Luther” (feat. SZA) and “Like That” (with Future & Metro Boomin).
Right behind Lamar with six nominations each are Doechii, Drake, Future and GloRilla, with Metro Boomin snagging five and SZA and the Weeknd rolling up four each.
Among Doechii’s noms are album of the year for Alligator Bites Never Heal, as well as video of the year and viewer’s choice award for “Denial Is a River,” BET her for “Bloom,” best collaboration for “Alter Ego” (feat. JT) and best female hip-hop artist.
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Drake’s nominations include album of the year for $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, video of the year for “Family Matters,” viewer’s choice award for “Nokia,” best group with Drake & PartyNextDoor, as well as best male R&B/pop artist and best male hip-hop artist. Future is also in the album of the year mix for We Don’t Trust You (feat. Metro Boomin), with other nods for video of the year for “Type Shit” (with Metro Boomin, Travis Scott and Playboi Carti), best collaboration and viewer’s choice award for “Like That” (with Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar), best group for his collabs with Boomin and best male hip-hop artist.
GloRilla is in the album of the year mix as well for Glorious, along with a viewer’s choice award notice for “TGIF,” best collaboration for “Sticky” (with Tyler, the Creator, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne), the Dr. Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award for “Rain Down on Me,” best female hip-hop artist and BET Her for “In My Bag” (feat. FLO).
The 25th anniversary BET Awards, hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, will air live on BET from the Peacock Theater in L.A. on June 9 at 8 p.m. ET. Voting for the Viewer’s Choice award will open soon.
Check out the full nominations for the 2025 BET Awards below:
Album of the Year$ome $exy $ongs 4 U — Drake & Partynextdoor11:11 Deluxe — Chris BrownAlligator Bites Never Heal — DoechiiCowboy Carter — BeyoncéGlorious — GloRillaGNX — Kendrick LamarHurry Up Tomorrow — The WeekndWe Don’t Trust You — Future & Metro Boomin
Best Female R&B/Pop ArtistAri LennoxAyra StarrCoco JonesKehlaniMuni LongSummer WalkerSZAVictoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop ArtistBruno MarsChris BrownDrakeFridayyLeon ThomasTeddy SwimsThe WeekndUsher
Best Group41Common & Pete RockDrake & PartynextdoorFloFuture & Metro BoominJacquees & Dej LoafLarry June, 2 Chainz, The AlchemistMaverick City Music
Best Collaboration“30 For 30” — SZA feat. Kendrick Lamar“Alter Ego” — Doechii feat. JT“Are You Even Real” — Teddy Swims feat. Givēon“Beckham” — Dee Billz feat. Kyle Richh, Kai Swervo, KJ SwervoBless — Lil Wayne, Wheezy & Young Thug“Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA“Sticky” — Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti
Best Female Hip Hop ArtistCardi BDoechiiDoja CatGloRillaLattoMegan Thee StallionNicki MinajRapsodySexyy Red
Best Male Hip Hop ArtistBigXthaPlugBossman DLowBurna BoyDrakeFutureKendrick LamarKey GlockLil WayneTyler, The Creator
Video of the Year“3AM in Tokeyo” — Key Glock“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Shaboozey“After Hours” — Kehlani“Denial Is a River” — Doechii“Family Matters” — Drake“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar“Timeless” — The Weeknd feat. Playboi Carti“Type Shit” — Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott & Playboi Carti
Video Director of the YearAnderson .PaakB Pace Productions & JacqueesBenny BoomCactus JackCole BennettDave Free & Kendrick LamarDave MeyersFoggierawTyler, The Creator
Best New Artist41Ayra StarrBigXthePlugBossman DLowDee BillzLeon ThomasOctober LondonShaboozeyTeddy Swims
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award“A God (There Is)” — Common & Pete Rock feat. Jennifer Hudson“Amen” — Pastor Mike Jr.“Better Days” — Fridayy“Church Doors” — Yolanda Adams feat. Sir The Baptist & Donald Lawrence (Terry Hunter Remix)“Constant” — Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore & Anthony Gargiula“Deserve to Win” — Tamela Mann“Faith” — Rapsody“Rain Down on Me” — GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Viewer’s Choice Award“Residuals” — Chris Brown“Denial Is a River” — Doechii“Nokia” — Drake“Like That” — Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar“TGIF” — GloRilla“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar“Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA“Brokey” — Latto
Best International ActAny Gabrielly (Brazil)Ayra Starr (Nigeria)Basky (UK)Black Sherif (Ghana)Ezra Collective (UK)Joé Dwèt Filé (France)MC Luanna (Brazil)Rema (Nigeria)SDM (France)Tyla (South Africa)Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)Best New International ActAbigail Chams (Tanzania)Ajulicosta (Brazil)Amabbi (Brazil)Dlala Thukzin (South Africa)Dr Yaro (France)KWN (UK)Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa)Merveille (France)Odeal (UK)Shallipopi (Nigeria)TxC (South Africa)
BET Her“Beautiful People” — Mary J. Blige“Blackbiird” — Beyonce feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts“Bloom” — Doechii“Burning” — Tems“Defying Gravity” — Cynthia Erivo feat. Ariana Grande“Heart of a Woman” — Summer Walker“Hold On” — Tems“In My Bag” — Flo & GloRilla
Best MovieBad Boys: Ride or DieBeverly Hills Cop: Axel FLuther: Never Too MuchMufasa: The Lion KingOne of Them DaysRebel RidgeThe Piano LessonThe Six Triple Eight
Best ActorAaron PierceAldis HodgeAnthony MackieColman DomingoDenzel WashingtonJamie FoxxJoey Bada$$Kevin HartSterling K. BrownWill Smith
Best ActressAndra DayAngela BassettCoco JonesCynthia ErivoKeke PalmerKerry WashingtonQuinta BrunsonViola DavisZendayaYoung Stars AwardAkira AkbarBlue Ivy CarterGraceyn “Gracie” HollingsworthHeiress HarrisMelody HurdThaddeus J. MixsonTyrik JohnsonVanVan
Sportswoman of the Year AwardA’ja WilsonAngel ReeseClaressa ShieldsCoco GauffDawn StaleyFlau’jae JohnsonJuju WatkinsSha’Carri RichardsonSimone Biles
Sportsman of the YearAaron JudgeAnthony EdwardsDeion SandersJalen HurtsJayson TatumLeBron JamesSaquon BarkleyStephen Curry
Kevin Hart is set to host the 2025 BET Awards.
Airing live on BET on the East Coast (and tape-delayed on the West Coast) on Monday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the show will again be held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. It will be Hart’s second time hosting the show. He previously hosted in 2011. And it’s the 25th anniversary of what BET likes to call “Culture’s Biggest Night.”
“I love a celebration!,” Hart said in a statement. “I’m truly honored to host the 25th BET Awards and celebrate the culture’s biggest night. This year marks the 25th anniversary, and my partners at Hartbeat, BET, and JCE are pulling out all the stops to make it a night to remember. It’s a Black-Tie affair, and you’re all invited. Tune in live on June 9th, only on BET.”
Hart has received four Primetime Emmy nominations and two Grammy nominations. In 2023, he topped Billboard Boxscore’s list of top 10 highest-grossing comedy tours of the year.
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In 2024, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Those who turned out to honor Hart included Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, J.B. Smoove, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, Chelsea Handler, Nick Cannon and Keith Robinson.
Hart has a robust history with BET, beginning as host of stand-up comedy showcase Comic View: One Night Stand in 2008. Hart also executive produced and starred in Real Husbands of Hollywood, the scripted parody series that premiered in 2013. On March 6, BET+ launched Lil Kev, the streamer’s first adult animated comedy series, based on Hart’s childhood and family, and produced by Hart’s entertainment company, Hartbeat.
“Kevin Hart is a powerhouse of an entertainer,” said Connie Orlando, EVP, specials, music programming & music strategy at BET. “His impact spans comedy, film, television, and beyond. As we celebrate 25 years of the BET Awards, we couldn’t think of a more dynamic host to lead this historic night. Kevin’s unmatched charisma, comedic brilliance, and deep-rooted connection to our culture make him the perfect choice to commemorate this milestone event.”
“For over a decade, Kevin Hart has been a beloved part of the BET family, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him return to host the 25th anniversary BET Awards,” said Scott Mills, president and CEO of BET. “His unparalleled talent, infectious energy, and deep connection to our audience make him the perfect host for this historic celebration.”
Orlando serves as the executive producer for the 2025 BET Awards, in tandem with Jamal Noisette, SVP of tentpoles & music community engagement, for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.
As previously reported, The BET Experience 2025 (BETX) returns June 5–8 in Los Angeles with four days of immersive fan events, leading up to the BET Awards on June 9.
The 25th annual BET Awards is set to air on Monday, June 9. It will mark the first time that Culture’s Biggest Night, as the show likes to call itself, will not air on a Sunday night since 2008. The show shifted to Sundays in June 2009 after airing on Tuesdays for its first eight years on the air, 2001-2008.
The move to Monday avoids a conflict with the Tony Awards, which are scheduled for Sunday, June 8, on CBS. The. network in recent years has simulcast the BET Awards, though this year’s simulcast partners have not yet been named. CBS has aired the Tonys every year since 1978. The date and host (Cynthia Erivo) of this year’s Tonys were announced two weeks ago.
The BET Awards will air live on BET from Los Angeles. The venue and host have not yet been announced. The show has been held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live every year since 2013 (except for a virtual show in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic). Taraji P. Henson hosted the show last year, and also in 2021 and 2022.
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Last year, Drake led the nominations for the BET Awards with seven nods, but was shut out on the night. Usher received a lifetime achievement award, but the best news for him was probably coupling that honorary award with a win in a competitive category – best male R&B/pop artist. Tyla and Victoria Monét also won two awards on the night.
Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming & music strategy for BET, serves as executive producer for the 2025 BET Awards, along with Jamal Noisette, SVP of tentpoles & music community engagement. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.
The BET Experience 2025 (BETX) is set to run from Thursday, June 5, through Sunday, June 8. The event promises “exclusive performances, celebrity panels, fan experiences, and more” from “the biggest names in entertainment, sports and culture.”
The 2024 BET Awards on June 30 drew more than 3 million viewers, according to Nielsen figures. The show, which was simulcast live across 10 Paramount networks, was up 10% in impressions compared to last year. It stands as the No. 1 awards show on cable of the first half of 2024.
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A total of 4.3 million viewers watched BET Awards content on premiere night, delivering a viewership increase of 10%. (That figure combines a live red-carpet show, the main telecast and an encore airing of the main telecast.)
The 2024 BET Awards scored its highest viewership with audiences in the prized 18-49 demographic in five years. It was the No. 1 show on all of TV for the day; the No. 1 cable awards show of the first half of 2024 among all audiences (18-49); and the No. 1 most social program across all of TV with 82% growth year-over-year and 10.5 million social interactions.
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BET calls the show “the most-watched culture and entertainment event on all of TV by Black audiences 18-49.” That careful wording is meant to exclude sports programming.
BET also calls the show “the most-watched Black event in America” and “the largest Black gathering for culture, entertainment, and empowerment in the country.”
The 2024 BET Awards included at least two notable firsts.
This year, the BET Awards put Black country artists at center stage for the first time. Tanner Adell performed her songs “Buckle Bunny” and “Cowboy” on the BET Amplified stage. The red-hot Shaboozey performed “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” joined by J-Kwon, whose 2004 smash “Tipsy” is interpolated in Shaboozey’s smash. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” jumps to No. 1 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 and holds at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs for the fourth nonconsecutive week.
In a statement, BET said “this groundbreaking inclusion of country music highlighted Black music’s rich history, diversity, and landscape” and that the show “celebrated the fullness of Black music.”
Also, Will Smith performed on the BET Awards stage for the first time, unveiling his new song “You Can Make It” alongside Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore, and the Sunday Service Choir. Smith had co-hosted the show in 2005 with his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, but had not previously performed on the show. This was Smith’s first awards-show performance since he was barred from Academy Awards events for 10 years in 2022 following a headline-grabbing and image-damaging incident involving Chris Rock. This is a reminder that for many Black performers seeking to mount a comeback, the surest route is through Black audiences, who will often tend to be more sympathetic.
The importance of showing up to the polls in this chaotic election year was stressed throughout the show. The show included a segment in which third-time host Taraji P. Henson conversed with Vice President Kamala Harris about the importance of voting. In his acceptance speech for album of the year, Killer Mike stressed not only the importance of voting but also getting politically involved locally year-round.
Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming & music strategy, served as the executive producer for the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, SVP of tentpoles & music community engagement, for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.
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Lee Daniels and Lena Waithe were among the attendees at the renowned event held in Los Angeles at the end of Black Music Month.
Last Friday (June 28), the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles, California, was the site of the Innovators and Leaders Awards Brunch, held by the esteemed Culture Creators Foundation. The non-profit group’s premier event was a fundraiser brunch for its mission of being a platform to recognize and salute those making significant contributions to the culture, business and entertainment industries. It was marked by the appearance of some notable figures such as director Lee Daniels and producer and director Lena Waithe, who were on hand to present awards. BET was a main sponsor of the event along with Möet Hennessy, Lexus and Rap Snacks.
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Journalist and NAACP Image Award nominee Gia Peppers served as the host of the expansive event, which began with “The Collective Conversation,” a talk between rapper and actor Joey Bada$$ and political strategist Quentin James about the ways that the community can be more politically informed and engaged with emphasis placed on voting and advocating for more diversity and increases in Black employment. After a performance by Roc Nation’s remarkable R&B band, Infinity Song, actress and singer Teyana Taylor was surprised by Waithe who presented her with the Innovator of the Year Award, providing a heartwarming moment for all attending.
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A similar moment occurred as CAA agent and board member Lorrie Bartlett was honored with the ICON Award by her longtime friend Daniels on stage. “I have had an incredible run and I feel so proud and lucky when I think about all I have accomplished thus far. Here’s the truth: more often than not, you have to make your own luck. The pathway to success is not the same for everybody,” Bartlett said to the audience. Other guests at the brunch included former honoree L.A. Reid, Andra Day, Regina King, Omarion, Debra Lee, YK Osiris, Alex Isley, Vanessa Estelle Williams, Pretty Vee, Trevor Jackson, Elijah Blake, Estelle, Cory Hardrict, designer Karl Kani, Flau’Jae, Jasper Hagen and Jessica Betts.
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Tanner Adell made her BET Awards debut Sunday (June 30), and she invited Billboard along for the ride.
The country singer, featured on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, gave us a behind-the-scenes look at her BET Awards glam. Fans can shop Adell’s beauty picks via talkshoplive starting Wednesday (July 3).
Her red-carpet glam included NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, La Mer Moisturizing Cream, Fenty Beauty Mini Pro Filt’r Retouch Setting Powder, Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer, Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder, Pat McGrath Labs Mothership x Eyeshadow Palette, One/Size Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eyeliner Pencil, M.A.C’s Cork Lip Pencil Liner and blush from Haus Labs by Lady Gaga.
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For her hair, Adell used Fenty Hair 5-in-1 Heat Protectant Styler, a Dyson Airwrap and the T3 Body Waver Professional Curling and Styling Iron.
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Adell described the full look — an off-the shoulder Bach Mai dress and cowboy hat and heels with her hair in two braids — as Western meets whimsy.
“I love fantasy,” explained Adell. “I love playing games with fairies and all the sparkles and glitter [and] rhinestones. I would say [this look is] ‘Western whimsical.’ The dress is the whimsical, the braids and the hat are the Western.”
“The braids are such a cowgirl staple,” she added.
The “Buckle Bunny” singer made history as the first Black female country artist to perform at the BET Awards, which marked her first performance on a televised awards show.
“That’s an honor. It’s a really big deal for me,” she shared while getting glammed up for the show. “It’s crazy to go from watching the BET [Awards] to being on them.”
Adell performed her vial hit “Buckle Bunny” at the 2024 BET Awards and a new song, “Cowboy Break My Heart.”
Watch the video above to shop beauty picks from Adell’s BET Awards glam.