The Biggest Night in Culture, also known as the BET Awards 2024, is packed with some of the hottest artists in the music industry. In Megan Thee Stallion kicking off the night’s festivities for Lauryn Hill, Victoria MonetWith GloRilla, Latto and more taking the stage, fans have a lot to look forward to with Sunday’s annual show.
ET spoke with show executives Connie Orlando and Dionne Harmon about the upcoming show, and the duo explained why this year’s show is the best yet; starting with Taraji P. Henson doing her third season as presenter.
“She shows up and she’s so excited — she’s more excited than she sometimes is about ideas,” Orlando told ET. “She is creative. Our audience loves Taraji and we are so excited to have her back because she is the complete package and definitely elevates the show.”
“I agree, and she’s so incredibly talented,” Harmon adds. “You need someone who’s funny, who can sing, who can dance, who can act and she’s all of that. She’s going to bring all of that to the show.”
The Golden Globe winner the actress has already hosted the 2021 BET Awardswhere he took the opportunity to pay homage to some iconic black women that impacted pop culture. Henson, 53, started the show with a memorable opening monologue and had roses handed out to several women in the audience, including Zendaya, Jazmine Sullivan, Issa Rae and “Queen” Maxine Waters. She also wore several ensembles during the show that honored and celebrated the styles and looks of some groundbreaking artists.
In 2022, Henson took the stage as the official presenter of the annual awards show once again, and started the show with drawing attention to the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Wadethe landmark case that protected the right to abortion.
Henson recently teased ET that she has a “really cool” surprise for the opening of this year’s show.
“Oh, sir. It’s just another part of my talent that you can see,” she said laughing. “You’ll see a lot of things. (It will be) another surprise for a lot of my fans who didn’t know I could do this. I’ve done it before, but not on Culture’s Biggest Night. I think more people will see this talent.”
While she hasn’t yet begun formal rehearsals for the surprise, Henson said she’s working on it in “mirror moments at home, in my sleep, in my head, in every waking moment, just so that it’s in my body, so that When I walk on stage, it’s second nature.”
Orlando and Harmon are coy when asked if they can share details about Henson’s surprise, but the latter says it’s “easily one of my favorite parts of the entire show.”
Henson’s opening is part of an overarching theme for the night, the duo tells ET. “I think women are leading the show this year, as are the performances[and]the nominations as well, so it’s a night for women,” Orlando says. “Like we’re coming out, they’re performing and it’s going to be an incredible show.”
Harmon adds that the production team tries to “outdo themselves” every year and deliver “those (big) moments.”
One of the most anticipated moments of the night is Usher being honored with this year’s prestigious BET Lifetime Achievement Awardwhich is presented to industry innovators and trailblazers who have left a lasting impact on culture and entertainment. The 45-year-old will join a list of previous BET Lifetime Achievement Award recipients including Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Samuel Jackson, Lionel Richie, New Edition and Busta Rhymes.
“He started at 14 and to see his whole journey, he’s done everything,” Orlando says of the singer’s cultural impact. “The (My way Las Vegas Residency) was just a taste of his catalog. He is a global artist and a superstar.”
“Yes, he is the culture,” Harmon adds. “We grew up with him and to witness his journey from a teenager to the global superstar he is now is truly exciting. I’ve seen his show in Las Vegas at least six times and worked with him (when he was headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show) too, but this is very important to him and something he’s always wanted.”
Usher’s big moment will include a special tribute that highlights the artist of “Love in this Club”Orlando’s achievements in music, film and TV – but Orlando and Harmon don’t know exactly what the celebration will include.
“We’re quiet here because we want everyone to tune in, but it’s something you’ve never seen before,” jokes Orando. “It’s different. It’s not what anyone expects, but it’s amazing. I encourage everyone to tune in and watch.”
Harmon adds, “It’s worthy of its stardom.”
O BET Awards 2024hosted by Taraji P. Hensongoes on air live on BET channel from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 30th at 8pm ET/PT.
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