Taraji P. Henson by no means fails to rock the mic in model on the BET Awards! The Golden Globe winner, 53, served as the night’s emcee for the third time on Sunday, and she or he began off the present with an impressed opening.
After a high-energy opening efficiency from Megan Thee Stallion, The Colour Purple actress kicked off the ceremony when she took the stage on the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles in a purple hoodie with denims and a purple cap.
“Taraji on the beat,” Henson rapped as she launched right into a parody of Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us,” which the rapper launched amid his feud with fellow rapper Drake.Â
Whereas Lamar’s lyrics had been pointed jabs at Drake, Henson modified the lyrics to have a good time Black tradition, rapping “It is about us.”
In her opening monologue, Henson additionally referenced Thursday’s CNN presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, calling out the latter’s broadly ridiculed declare that that immigrants coming to America are “taking Black jobs.”
“[This is] a present packed stuffed with all-stars with Black jobs. No matter which means,” Henson quipped to the viewers. “However clearly we all know there is a distinction – thanks for the data, however we already knew it.”
Later within the present, media persona B. Simone additionally took photographs at Trump’s “Black jobs” remark, asking of us within the viewers whether or not jobs equivalent to being a TSA agent, TV choose and hairstylist had been “Black jobs.” (The solutions had been sure, sure and sure.)
Henson previously hosted the 2021 BET Awards, the place she used the chance to honor some iconic Black women who’ve impacted popular culture. Henson began the present with a memorable opening monologue and had roses handed out to a number of ladies within the room, together with Zendaya, Jazmine Sullivan, Issa Rae and “Queen” Maxine Waters. She additionally donned numerous ensembles all through the present that honored and celebrated the kinds and appears of some groundbreaking artists.
In 2022, Henson took to the stage as the annual awards show’s official emcee as soon as once more, and kicked off the present by bringing attention to SCOTUS’ decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that protected the appropriate to an abortion.
Forward of this yr’s award present, Henson told ET that she had a “cool AF” surprise for the opening.
“Oh, lord. It is simply one other a part of my expertise that you simply guys get to see,” she shared with fun. “You gonna see a whole lot of issues. [It will be] one other shock for lots of my followers that did not know I may do that. I’ve completed it earlier than, however not on Tradition’s Greatest Night time. I believe extra folks will get to see this expertise.”
Whereas she had but to start out formal rehearsals for the shock, Henson informed ET that she was engaged on it in “mirror moments at dwelling, in my sleep, in my head, each waking second, simply in order that it is in my physique, so once I get on the stage, it is second nature.”
That opening second is only one that she was wanting ahead to in her return to the BET Awards.
“I believe it is the reside theater of all of it. I used to be educated in theater, so I really feel most snug on the stage,” Henson mentioned, earlier than sharing that followers can count on an “uplifting” theme all through the present.
“It is about empowerment, it is about togetherness, and that is not gonna change,” she mentioned of her private model. “We’ll have time.”
This yr’s award present guarantees to be Tradition’s Greatest Night time the very best to date. Not solely will the evening characteristic a jam-packed list of performers, however the present can pay particular tribute to Usher, who will obtain the celebrated Lifetime Achievement BET Award. The “Love in this Club” singer, 45, will be part of a celebrated listing of game-changers and business pioneers who’ve left a long-lasting affect on the tradition and leisure.Â
The 2024 BET Awards, hosted by Taraji P. Henson, airs live on the BET channel from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 30, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Take a look at the whole winners listing right here.
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