Organisers of the BET Awards, the BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA), the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture has announced Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winning actor, author, director, producer, and philanthropist, Taraji P. Henson will host this year’s Awards live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Henson is an Academy Award-nominated actor, producer, author, and mental health advocate with a globally celebrated career that extends beyond the screen. Most recently, her producorial efforts on the play, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Play.
She quickly rose to fame after her breakout performance in the critically acclaimed film Hustle & Flow, which earned her and the cast a Screen Actors Guild nomination as well as the BET Award for Best Actress.
Reacting to her selection as host for the event, Henson said, “I am thrilled to be returning as the host of the ‘BET Awards’ for the third time. I am also looking forward to celebrating my peers and the impact of our culture on entertainment.”
Also, BET had last week announced that Grammy award-winning global entertainment icon, Usher Raymond, better known as Usher, will be honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award at this year’s awards ceremony.
The Lifetime Achievement BET Award recognises special achievements and distinguished public service, with previous recipients including Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Samuel Jackson, Lionel Richie, New Edition, and Busta Rhymes, among others.
Commenting on choice of Usher for the Lifetime Achievement Award, BET EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, Connie Orlando said, “The relationship between BET and Usher spans decades, from his multiple appearances on 106 & Park, to most recently winning the Entertainer of the Year trophy at the 55th NAACP Image Awards.”
