BET Awards: 8 Things Cameras Missed

The BET Awards, also known as “The Biggest Night of Culture”, are articulated to highlight the cultural and artistic diversity of black communities and the African diaspora in general. Many examples of this have spread around the world: the leading taraji p. Hanson shouted about historically black colleges and universities (specifically Howard University to honor fellow student Alum Didi, last night’s Lifetime Achievement Award); A performance inspired by a ballroom scene directed by PositionBilly Porter (in Rick Owens’ Tough Fock); A fusion of old and new school sounds, as evidenced by the collaboration between Ella May and Babyface, as well as Lato and Mariah Carey; And a steady stream of praise for musicians from the African continent such as Nigeria’s Tems and Fireboy DML.

However, some moments were only seen on the red carpet and inside the Microsoft Theater. Here are eight trends. the hollywood reporter Observed on the spot at the show.

Lead the segments behind the scenes.

Before the show, singer Brent Faiz and comedian/Internet Vienna e. They were two of the few people who received exclusive content for the Sunday broadcasts when they were all on the red carpet. Elsewhere behind the scenes, TV host Tammy Romance has been behind the scenes at Win-Cam, giving interviews to Lato, Billy Porter, Jasmine Sullivan, Keke Palmer, Brand, Kirk Franklin, Thames, Dochi and others.

right rights

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to oust Roe Wade, several people offered impassioned comments about their views on women’s right to choose, as well as host Janelle Monae pointing the middle finger at the United States Supreme Court during the show. .

Doechi, who sang the female empowerment anthems Persuasive and Crazy, said on the red carpet, “It’s a sad time for women, it’s a sad time for our nation. It doesn’t even have to be an argument; these are our bodies.”

And Tommy Roman shared his personal experience: “It feels different to me against Rowe Wade because in 1993 I made the decision to terminate my pregnancy and I was grateful to have that option. I think people don’t make sense, it’s not pro-life and it’s not pro-choice, it’s just that this country gives people the freedom to make decisions and be whatever they want to be.

When Lato won the Best New Artist award, he accepted it with tears in his eyes, saying, “Give it to the boss… it’s the right to choose.”

Victoria Monet expressed her frustration. “I just want to find out how we can fix this, because if it’s a system, it’s broken,” he said. “I want to make decisions. I just want to know how to be free again. I just hope for a better world for my daughter.”

Eva Marsil added: “I don’t know how to explain to myself [8-year-old] Daughter… Your body is not yours and your choice. And how will he have to defend himself in a world that doesn’t see him the same way?

color block trend

While several celebrities have made statements in dramatic black dresses (Tems, Kandi Burruss, Ari Lennox), the prevailing fashion trend has been to block bold colors. Both men and women opted for dazzling, monochromatic summer outfits: Kirk Franklin wore a seaweed green shirt, Jacques wore a lime green Estro suit with matching shades from Balenciaga, Idris Elba wore a mustard skirt, and the girls wore a mustard and cream skirt. . . (Careesha all red, JT all white). Other colors included bubble pink, royal blue, marigold, lavender and neon yellow.

Connect through sweat

The red carpet, which lasted from 2:30pm to 4:30pm, was bright and warm, reaching 85 degrees in direct sunlight. On every rug she tried to sweat through makeup (profile tip: Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty powder seems to be the secret to maintaining a matte face) and overheating in costumes. Every few minutes, people picked up and handed out Dasani water bottles from strategically placed ice cubes to cool. And the wisest brought small portable fans to simulate Niva.

Last minute red carpet breakdown

Several singers, including City Girls, Keke Palmer, Daniel Caloua and The Great, didn’t have time to stop for many interviews as they crossed the red catwalk before the show began at the Microsoft Theater.

Anxiety behind the scenes

At the end of each performance, the talent and their singers and dancers would run backstage and listen aloud and immediately notice when the audience was seated. The cheers and applause were probably the loudest since Jack Harlow’s performance, showing the brand’s surprise: “Yasss!” and “We did it!” – but also after Muni Long and Latto and Mariah Carey.

commercial photographic operations

During each intermission of the show, audience members would rise from their seats to take selfies, hug familiar faces, and talk about what happened and what was to come (all looking forward to the Bad Boy Tribute, which includes the big me and some of the biggest hitmakers: Jodetz, Mary Jay Blige, Lil Kim, Shine, Busta Reims, Faith Evans). As Connie Orlando, executive director of BET specials, music programming, music strategy and news, said before the show, “This is a family reunion.”

Quick host changes.

Taraji P. Hanson’s hair and clothing changes were so frequent that it was difficult to keep track of their number. While some moments in the show gave him longer breaks to reinvent his face, many of them required a speed level of 100 meters; Her backstage run was especially impressive after wearing a rose-print jumpsuit.

Hanson’s level of spontaneous humor was predicted by Will Packer on the mat: “That’s what T was made for, because you never know what he’s going to do. “He’s so talented he can do anything.”