It is BET Awards weekend! It is the one weekend a year that Black entertainers from near and far convene in Los Angeles not only for the awards show but for an entire weekend filled with activities. Some refer to it as the entertainment industry’s homecoming. No matter how you refer to it, fans look forward to the event every year.
Each year, there seems to be one performance after another that always brings down the house. In order to celebrate this year’s award show, here are some of the best moments from Black women in the show’s history.
BET Awards Moments From Black Women
It’s important to start with the return of Destiny’s Child in 2005. The group released their final album, Destiny Fulfilled and celebrated it with a very sensual stage performance. Their steamy rendition of “Cater 2 U” was not only jaw-dropping with the vocals but they even gave lap dances on stage. The trio brought up Terrence Howard, Nelly and Magic Johnson to display how they’d cater to their men.
In 2015, Rihanna released “B**ch Better Have My Money” and meant it! She took to the stage to share a sneak peak of the music video but not before she got into an argument backstage with BET president of programming, Stephen Hill. The argument resulted with her throwing a large wad of cash in his face and then walking on stage, and cameras caught the whole interaction. It was later revealed that the moment was staged.
Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holiday took to the 2007 BET Awards stage after the release of “Dreamgirls.” Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson opened the show with “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” Mid-song, she was joined by the original Effie White, Tony-winner Jennifer Holliday to bring the house down with their duet.
Lastly, in 2004, Monique hosted the BET Awards. Some argue she was one of the best to ever do it. She opened the awards show with a special tribute to Beyonce. That summer was a “Crazy In Love” summer. Beyonce’s single was topping the charts and everyone was doing the “Uh Oh” dance. Monique took that moment to show Bey that she had what it takes to be a star just like her. And she even brought out a team of plus-size backup dancers during a time when plus-sized girls were still trying to fight social beauty standards.