Keith Lee is clearing up any rumors of beef with Taraji P. Henson after a somewhat embarrassing mix-up during the BET Awards 2024.
Go up went to TikTok on Monday to explain her feelings about a moment during Sunday’s awards show when Henson handed out roses to celebrities in the audience — but ended up confusing Lee with another influencer Jordan Howlett.
“I’m not mad at Taraji P. Henson by any stretch of the imagination,” Lee, 27, said in a video he shot from inside his car. “And not only that, in my opinion, she smoked last night.”
Henson, 53, served as host for the third consecutive yearand during the show, she did a bit where she “gave people flowers” as a way to celebrate them. During the segment, Henson walked to the front of the audience, where Lee was sitting with his wife, Ronnie, which is when things got dicey.
Henson approached Howlett (who goes by the name Jordan Thee Stallion on TikTok) and the Oscar-nominated actress then turned to the camera and began a portion of the bit that was supposed to be directed at Lee. Howlett laughed as she awkwardly pointed at Lee, and Henson quickly pivoted and redirected her comments while joking that she “got caught in my own inner monologue.”
“I’m sorry!” she exclaimed.
Lee later shared a since-deleted TikTok that showed him dropping the rose he received on the floor. “Our name will be known in every room it’s supposed to be, when it’s supposed to be, how it’s supposed to be, no confusion. God is awesome,” he wrote over the video alongside praying hands.
In the post Lee shared on Monday, he explained that the video of him dropping the rose was not intended to suggest he was mad at Henson.
“The reason I did it had nothing to do with Taraji P. Henson. The reason I did it is because I believe with all my heart that it wasn’t my rose, it wasn’t my moment. It was given to me, but it wasn’t mine,” he shared. “I always say, I don’t want anything that isn’t mine.”
“I’m eternally grateful for every room I’m in. I was beyond grateful and beyond grateful to just sit there and enjoy the show,” he continued, explaining that he felt the embarrassing accident wasn’t Henson’s fault, but rather the show’s producers.
Lee said the entire segment “felt extremely unprepared and unprofessional” and that they had him and his wife switch seats to make the bit easier, but didn’t do what was necessary to ensure the segment was a success — which was also embarrassing for Henson.
“It is what it is. I just wish they had prepared both of us for success in that situation,” Lee said.
The food critic and former MMA fighter continued to shower Henson with praise once again, sharing, “I personally am a fan of Taraji, have been for years and always will be. I love seeing her get the recognition she deserves.”
Before heading into the show, ET caught up with Lee, who opened up about attending the event with his wife.
“It’s amazing. I’m blessed to be here,” Lee shared. “We’re amazing. My wife is amazing. God is amazing. I’m here. I’m grateful. We’re everywhere we’re supposed to be all along.”
Lee said he never in his wildest dreams would have imagined attending the event with his wife, but he was grateful.
“I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said. “I always knew I was going to be somebody, I always knew God had something special in store for me. I just never knew what path it would take me on and I’m here for every path he puts me on.”
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