Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Page Six
OJ Simpson included in BET Awards 2024 ‘In Memoriam’ tribute, prompting ‘noticeable silence’ from crowd
By Nicki Cox,
14 hours ago
OJ Simpson’s inclusion in the BET Awards’ 2024 “In Memoriam” segment caught many audience members off guard on Sunday night.
Attendees politely paid their respects to the deceased by applauding as their images flashed across the screen until Simpson’s photo appeared.
The confused crowd fell into a “noticeable silence” before a few uncomfortable laughs and murmurs arose from the audience, one person in attendance told the Hollywood Reporter.
The BET Awards raised eyebrows on Sunday night by including OJ Simpson in their “In Memoriam” segment. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP The crowd was noticeably silent when his image flashed across the screen. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP While a few people applauded, whispers spread throughout the crowd. REUTERS
Simpson was listed as a “Former NFL Player.” Focus on Sport via Getty Images His career was forever tarnished after he was accused of killing wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1994. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
OJ was famously accused and acquitted of both murders in the mid-’90s. However, he was found liable for their death a year later in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Unsurprisingly, they also took issue with his inclusion in the segment, telling TMZ the entire situation was completely “inappropriate.”
Fred Goldman, Ron’s father, told the outlet he didn’t see any benefit of including OJ because the segment was about honoring “Black excellence” lost in the last year.
While he was acquitted of the double homicide, he was later found liable for their deaths. AP He spent time in jail from 2008 until 2017. Getty Images
“I think they shouldn’t include anyone of that caliber — a wife beater, murderer … can’t imagine why they would include someone like that,” he said.
Nicole’s sister Tanya dittoed his feelings, saying it was “inappropriate to give an abuser and murderer recognition.”
“Whoever thought of doing that owes every domestic violence victim an apology…and that’s including our family,” she added. “And, they should be fired.”
Nicole’s sister questioned why the network thought it was appropriate “to give an abuser and murderer recognition.” REUTERS OJ died from cancer in April. He was 76. AP
Insiders later told Page Six that OJ, who spent time in jail from 2008 until 2017, ran a ring of all-cash businesses in his final years so that he wouldn’t have to pay Nicole and Ronald’s families.
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