Taraji P. Henson never fails to rock the mic with style on BETTING Awards! The Golden Globe winner, 53, served as the evening’s master of ceremonies for the third time on Sunday, and she started the show with a inspired opening.
After a high-energy opening performance in Megan Thee Stallion, The color purple The actress kicked off the ceremony by taking to the stage at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles wearing a red sweatshirt, jeans and a red cap.
“Taraji on the beat,” Henson sang as he launched into a parody of Kendrick Lamar“Not Like Us”, which the rapper released amid his rivalry with fellow rapper Drake.
While Lamar’s lyrics were jabs aimed at Drake, Henson changed the lyrics to celebrate black culture, singing, “It’s about us.”
In his opening monologue, Henson also referenced Thursday’s CNN presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, denouncing the latter’s widely ridiculed claim that immigrants coming to America are “taking black jobs.”
“(This is) a show packed with stars with black jobs. Whatever that means,” Henson joked to the audience. “But clearly, we know there is a difference. Thanks for the information, but we already knew that.”
Later in the show, media personality B. Simone also criticized Trump’s “black jobs” comment, asking the audience whether jobs like TSA agent, TV judge and hairdresser were “black jobs.” (The answers were yes, yes and yes.)
Henson already hosted the 2021 BET Awardswhere he took the opportunity to pay homage to some iconic black women that impacted pop culture. Henson started the show with a memorable opening monologue and handed out roses to several women in the room, including Zendaya, Jazmine Sullivan, Issa Rae and “Queen” Maxine Waters. She also wore several ensembles throughout the show that paid homage and celebrated the styles and looks of some innovative artists.
In 2022, Henson took the stage as the official host of the annual awards show once again, and started the show by drawing attention to the SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.the landmark case that protected the right to abortion.
Ahead of this year’s awards, Henson told ET that she got a “really cool” surprise. for the opening.
“Oh, sir. It’s just another part of my talent that you guys get to see,” she shared with a laugh. “You’re going to see a lot of things. (It’s) going to 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.”
Though she hadn’t yet begun formal rehearsals for the surprise, Henson told ET that she’s been working on it in “mirror moments at home, in my sleep, in my head, every waking moment, just so that it’s in my body, so when I go on stage, it’s second nature.”
That opening moment is just one she’s been looking forward to in her return to the BET Awards.
“I think it’s the live theater of it all. I was trained in theater, so I feel most comfortable on stage,” Henson said, before sharing that fans can expect an “uplifting” theme throughout the show.
“It’s about empowerment, it’s about unity, and that’s not going to change,” she said of her personal brand. “We’re going to have fun.”
This year’s awards ceremony promises to be culture’s biggest night, the best yet. The night will not only feature a list full of artistsbut the show will pay special tribute to Usherwho will receive the prestigious BET Lifetime Achievement Award. The “Love in This Club” singer45, will join a celebrated list of industry innovators and pioneers who have left a lasting impact on culture and entertainment.
O BET Awards 2024hosted by Taraji P. Hensonairs live on BET channel from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 30 at 8pm ET/PT. Check out the full list of winners here.
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