Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Entertainment Tonight
2024 BET Awards Producers Tease an Unforgettable Usher Moment (Exclusive)
By Mekishana Pierre,
2 days ago
Culture's Biggest Night, also known as the 2024 BET Awards , is jam-packed with some of the hottest acts in the music industry. From Megan Thee Stallion kicking off the night's festivities to Lauryn Hill , Victoria Monét ,GloRilla, Latto and morehitting the stage, fans have a lot to look forward towith the annual show on Sunday.
ET chatted with show executivesConnie Orlando and Dionne Harmon about the upcoming show, and the pair opened up about why this year's showis the best so far; starting with Taraji P. Henson making her third hosting stint .
"She shows up and she's so excited -- she's more excited than we are sometimes with the ideas," Orlando tells ET. "She's creative. Our audience loves Taraji and we're so excited to have her back because she's the full package and she definitely elevates the show."
"I agree, and she's so incredibly talented," Harmon adds. "You need somebody that's funny, that can sing, that can dance, that can act and she is all that. She's going to bring all of that to the show."
TheGolden Globe-winning actress previously hosted the 2021 BET Awards , where sheused the opportunity to honor some iconic Black women who have impacted pop culture. Henson, 53, started the show with a memorable opening monologue and had roses handed out to several women in the audience, including Zendaya, Jazmine Sullivan, Issa Rae and "Queen" Maxine Waters. She also donned various ensembles throughout the show that honored and celebrated the styles and looks of some groundbreaking artists.
"Oh, lord. It's just another part of my talent that you guys get to see," she said with a laugh. "You gonna see a lot of things. [It will be] another surprise for a lot of my fans that didn't know I could do this. I've done it before, but not on Culture's Biggest Night. I think more people will get to see this talent."
This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors.
If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page. Up Next
Watch Taraji P. Henson Fan Out Over Ice Spice, Will Smith, Usher and More BET Awards Performers
While she's yet to start formal rehearsals for the surprise, Henson said that she's working on it in "mirror moments at home, in my sleep, in my head, every waking moment, just so that it's in my body, so when I get on the stage, it's second nature."
Orlando and Harmon play coy when asked if they can share any details on Henson's surprise, but the latter says it's "easily one of my favorite parts of the whole show."
Henson's opener is part of an overarching theme of the night, the duo tells ET. "I think the women are leading this year's show, like the performances [and] the nominations too, so it's a night for the women," Orlando says. "Like we're coming out, they're performing and it's gonna be an amazing show."
Harmon adds that the production team tries to "one-up ourselves" every year, and deliver "those [big] moments."
One of the most highly anticipated moments of the night is Usher being honored with this year's prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award , which is presented to gamechangers and industry pioneers who have left a lasting impact on the culture and entertainment. The 45-year-old will join a list of previous Lifetime Achievement BET Award recipients includingWhitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Samuel Jackson, Lionel Richie, New Edition and Busta Rhymes.
Usher will be honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award this year.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
"He started when he was 14 and to see his whole journey, he's done it all," Orlando says of the singer's cultural impact. "The [ My Way Las Vegas residency ] was just proof of his catalog. He is a global entertainer and a superstar."
"Yeah, he is the culture," Harmon adds. "We've grown up with him, and to witness his journey from being a teenager to this global superstar that he is now, it's really exciting. I saw the show in Vegas at least six times and worked with him [when he was the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show ]as well, but this is so important to him and something that he's always wanted."
Usher's big moment will include a special tribute that highlights the "Love in this Club" artist 'saccomplishments across music, movies and TV -- but Orlando and Harmon are mum on what the celebration will include exactly.
"We're tight-lipped over here because we want everyone to tune in but it's something you've never seen before," Orando teases. "It's different. It's not what anyone expects, but it's so amazing. I encourage everyone to tune in and watch."
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Most Popular
Comments / 0