In addition, the return of Jussie Smollett, Brandy’s surprise appearance with Jack Harlow and Mariah Carey joins Latto’s “Big Energy.”
As expected, the presenters and winners and even the host of the night did not shy away from addressing the historic Supreme Court decision that shook America over the weekend at the BET Awards on Sunday night .
On Friday, the country’s highest court overturned Roe v Wade after nearly 50 years. The decision suppressed the right to abortion nationwide, effectively excluding women from many states; with several other states queuing to join these numbers.
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Host Taraji P. Henson wasted no time in knocking down SCOTUS, who slipped and slithered in the wet grass. She was quickly followed by the first presenter and winner of the night.
Throughout the night, other women would join the call to action of the clarion, with Jazmine Sullivan asking the men to speak, talk, and join the fight. For the most part, the men of that night did not accept her with this plea.
The night also featured a couple of huge surprise appearances, with Jack Harlow joining the stage for Brandy after his brief online feud, as it were, as well as Lil Wayne. Jussie Smollett spoke from the red carpet about “expansion [his] Empires “.
Mariah Carey later showed up for a surprise appearance during Latto’s performance, while Kanye West actually showed the ability to joke about Kim Kardashian during her surprise appearance to honor Diddy with an award for her trajectory.
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Taraji P. Henson hits SCOTUS, praises Lizzo
Taking to the stage to host this year’s festivities, Taraji P. Henson quickly became the first of a few overnight to rule against Friday’s Supreme Court decision to revoke Roe v Wade, reversing abortion rights at the state level. Several have already enacted laws banning the procedure.
After Lizzo’s opening performance of “About Damn Time,” Taraji said it was a damn time that Lizzo received all the applause and praise he deserved for his art and activism.
“That’s how you start a show!” Taraji said after Lizzo’s performance. “All this positivity of the body up here.”
He then added, “And thank you too, Lizzo, for committing $ 1 million to Planned Parenthood. That’s right and you’re right, it was time!”
A few hours after the verdict became official, Lizzo pledged to donate $ 500,000 from his upcoming tour to Planned Parenthood and Abortion Rights, with Live Nation agreeing to match his donation, reaching the $ 1 million mark.
Taraji went on to say that it is also “damn time for them to come into our power,” in reference to the historic SCOTUS ruling. “It ‘s a damn time we’re talking about [how] guns have more power than women in the United States. “
“It’s a sad day in America. A weapon that can take lives has more power than a woman that can give life, if you will,” Taraji said. “It’s time to get this off my chest.”
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Janelle Monae leads more protests with “F — You!”
Screams against the historic ruling continued after the opening of Taraji, with Janelle Monae sending a double message during Pride. She was the first presenter to take the stage after Taraji’s monologue.
“I’d like to give a special, special shout out to black women, black queer artists, non-binary black artists,” she said. “These artists who make art in our own terms, own our truths and express ourselves freely and without apology in a world that tries to control and control our bodies, my body; and our decisions, my decision.” .
He emphatically added, “F — the Supreme Court,” offering the high court the middle finger (and giving something to do to the censors of the live broadcast). Her message was quickly followed by the winner of her category, Best R&B Pop Artist, Jazmine Sullivan.
After saying she does this for women, Jazmine’s message was actually for men. “Right now it’s a tough time for us, and I want to talk directly to men: we need you,” he told them. “We need you to stand up. Defend us, stand up with us.”
“If you’ve ever benefited from a woman making one of the hardest decisions of her life, which is terminating a pregnancy, you have to be with us,” she insisted. “This is not just a women’s issue. This is everyone’s issue and we need your support more than ever.”
It was a theme that continued through virtually every woman who took the stage. After winning the best new artist, Latto said, “It’s about giving a favorable choice. It’s about never giving in to a man who watches over my body.”
“Sistas” star Novi Brown later added: “In light of the recent investment in Roe v. Wade and the political events affecting our nation, it’s time for ‘sistas’ around the world to ‘unite and raise our voice.’
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Kanye West jokes about Kim Kardashian, honors Diddy
Kanye West was a big surprise to fans of the BET Awards, with the iconic rapper appearing towards the end of the show to honor his “favorite artist” Diddy with an award for his career.
Appearing almost completely covered in a face mask and dark sunglasses, Kanye talked about how influential and inspiring Diddy was as an artist when he emerged into the industry.
“I go to him for advice to this day. He inspires many of my choices,” Diddy said. He then made a joke at the expense of ex-wife Kim Kardashian, adding, “So many of my life choices, those of my wife and here we are.”
Most of Kanye’s speech was authentic praising the rapper and music mogul. “This man has survived a lot of things and broken a lot of doors so we can be here today,” he said. “It broke so many doors about classism, taste, culture, the pond. Puff, if I ever told you, I love you.”
Jack Harlow Accompanied by Brandy, Lil Wayne
Put a little respect to the name of the vocal bible! 🔥 Brandy reminded Jack Harlow exactly who she was, joining him on stage with his remix of “First Class”. #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/KijnntilsO
– KenBarbie ™ (@itsKenBarbie) June 27, 2022 @itsKenBarbie
Relatively new to the scene, Jack Harlow surrounded himself with hip-hop and R&B legends for his first performance at the BET Awards. Performing a potpourri of her songs “Poison” and “First Class,” Lil Wayne fell for performing her verse from the first song.
It was more of a surprise during the second song when Brandy joined Jack on stage, and even joined him with some of his dance moves while performing the song’s famous two steps.
It was a sweet way to end his mini feud after Jack admitted via social media that he didn’t know his job. During the red carpet, Jack showed his support for Lil Nas X by wearing a T-shirt with his friend after Nas X’s resentment this year.
“Wow, I love this man,” Lil Nas X tweeted in response to a photo of Jack in the T-shirt, by ET.
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Jussie Smollett returns, excited to expand his empire
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Don’t call it a comeback, even though it’s basically exactly what it is. Jussie Smollett, the disgraced “Empire” star, was at the BET Awards in anticipation of his upcoming directing effort for BET +, “B-Boy Blues.”
It was Jussie’s first major appearance after serving a brief prison sentence for filing a false police report in 2019. Jussie had claimed he was the victim of a recent attack, but those claims were quickly questioned, questioned. and finally rejected.
“You know, I’ve never thought of myself working to get back,” Jussie told ET on the red carpet. “It’s always been the plan to expand my empire, to put it in some way, to expand the level of what I do.”
The director told the network that he was excited “to be able to introduce a new generation of artists and actors and these amazing talents; that’s what is feeding me.” He also made fun of the upcoming music.
He then shared a few words of thanks for the family, fans and friends who kept him by his side during his legal ordeal. “I just tell them, with all my heart, just thank you,” he said. “They never hesitated. They were never riding the fence and that’s why I’m eternally grateful. I don’t take it lightly.”
“My family, my friends, the real ones, the fans, it’s just, you know … If I can never hug you in person, just …