THE BET Awards are set for Sunday, and if this year’s event is anything like previous years, viewers can bet there will be some shocking moments.
The annual celebration recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.
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According to the network, all are pegged to honor “abundant creative expression and Black excellence.”
This year, some of music’s biggest names will celebrate five decades of Hip Hop throughout the telecast.
Sunday will mark the 23rd edition of the annual awards show.
Drake, GloRilla, Lizzo, and 21 Savage topped the list of most-nominated artists this year.
And what would a musical celebration be without some live performances?
Scheduled to take the stage this year are nominees Coco Jones and GloRilla, plus hitmakers Doechii and Lil Uzi Vert, with more performers still to come.
The show proves to be memorable every year – sometimes for some scandalous moments.
AND THE WINNER IS…
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One fan’s on-stage dream turned into a nightmare at the 2011 awards.
Tiffany Green took the stage to present the Viewers’ Choice Award, but when it came time to announce the winner, she botched it.
Instead of announcing Rihanna and Drake winning for their song What’s My Name, Tiffany misread the nominee tablet, and named Chris Brown the winner.
After quickly correcting herself, Drake took the stage, noting how supposedly awkward the situation was.
But it was about to get worse.
Later in the evening, producers tweeted that Tiffany’s mistake was actually correct – Brown was in fact the actual winner.
I KISSED A GUY
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LiL Nas X shared a steamy same-sex kiss with a dancer during his wild Egyptian-themed performance at the 2021 Awards.
The Old Town Road singer, 24, locked lips with the shirtless hunk while singing Montero (Call Me by Your Name).
Lil Nas – who came out as gay in 2019 – wrapped his arms around two of the male dancers before kissing one of them.
The rapper – born Montero Lamar Hill – later took to Twitter to shut down trolls who accused him of disrespecting African culture.
“Y’all really like to pretend homosexuality didn’t exist in African culture,” he slammed.
F**K BET
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The following year, after being snubbed from the nominees once again, Lil Nas X lashed out on Twitter.
“Thank you BET awards. an outstanding zero nominations again. Black excellence!,” the rapper sent, then deleted.
But he wasn’t done venting his feelings, and just days before the awards show, he released a new song, Late to da Party, in which he repeatedly raps, “F**CK BET.”
The accompanying cover art for the single included an image of him peeing on a BET Award in a toilet.
KANYE SHADES KIM
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Kanye West threw some serious shade at his ex-wife Kim Kardashian as the rapper made a surprise public appearance at last year’s show.
The 46-year-old appeared onstage towards the end of the popular award ceremony in order to honor fellow rapper Diddy with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Kanye showed up with his face covered up with a mask and hood, and his shirt appeared to be torn while he spoke about how Diddy has inspired him.
However, the famous entertainer also seemed to reference his failed marriage during his speech.
He said: “I go to [Diddy] for advice to this day. He inspires so many of my choices. So many of my life choices. My wife choices… and here we are — thanks for that, Puff.”
Kanye laughed after making the slight jab at Kim as the audience reacted as well.
SLAP HAPPY
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Just three months after storming the Oscars stage and slapping presenter Chris Rock in 2022, actor Will Smith was awarded the BET Best Actor award for his role in King Richard.
Will was able to avoid the awkward moment by not attending the show.
Months earlier, Will lost his cool after Chris made a joke at the expense of the Fresh Prince’s wife, Jada Pickett, who has a condition called alopecia.
Her husband, Will, took offense at the joke and rushed on stage, clobbering the comedian with a right hook.
The Men in Black actor was banned from attending any Academy ceremonies for the next 10 years.
SPEAKING OUT
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In 2016, Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams went off after accepting the Humanitarian Award.
The actor used the podium to speak out about police brutality and a variety of other topics affecting the Black community.
Jesse was largely praised for his powerful words, but some pushed back.
A Change.Org petition called for the actor to be fired from his role on the hit ABC medical drama.
BEYONC-NAY
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Beyonce fans were furious when Lizzo beat out the Formation singer for best female R&B/pop artist at the 2020 BET Awards.
When the category for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist came up, the Bey Hive was sure the Halo songstress would snag the top honor.
However, Lizzo won the award, setting off angry fans on Twitter.
“You mean to tell me I’m living in a world where people think Lizzo is a better vocalist than H.E.R, Beyonce, Kehlani, and Jhené?” one person asked.
“Lizzo really beat Beyoncé in a category something fishy going on,” someone else questioned.
Another fired off: “LIZZO???!!! Over Beyonce and H.E.R. someone is out of their d**n mind for this.”
SHOT DOWN
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Jack Harlow tried to “shoot his shot” with Saweetie while on the red carpet for the 2021 Awards.
The young rapper cut in while the Best Friend singer was interviewing with The Shade Room to introduce himself.
“Hi Saweetie,” he began, to which she replied: “Hi” as they shook hands.
“I’m Jack, good to see you. I didn’t want to interrupt I just wanted to say hi, we’ve never met,” he explained.
“You don’t like getting caught off guard?” he asked, to which she responded: “Why you shaking?”
Jack then held Saweetie’s hand tight as he told the camera: “Nobody’s shaking.”
After the WHATS POPPIN singer walked away, the interviewer asked: “Was that him shooting his shot or what?”
Saweetie was visibly uncomfortable as she replied: “I don’t know but ya’ll better not be messy with this s**t.”
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