2024 BET Drama: Taraji P. Henson Says Keith Lee’s Ego Was Hurt

Taraji P Henson and Keith Lee || Image credit: @tarajiphenson @keith_lee125

Taraji P. Henson broke her silence after Keith Lee called her out and dropped the rose she gave him because of the mix-up involving YouTuber Jordan Howlett at the BET Awards.

This week, an incident at the 2024 BET Awards between food critic Keith Lee and host Taraji P. Henson sparked a public debate.

During the ceremony, Henson misidentified Lee as another influencer. Still, Taraji quickly apologized and rushed over to Keith, saying she was “so sorry” for mixing him up. And still gave him a rose.

While Keith eventually accepted her flower, he later threw it on the ground in a TikTok video that has since been deleted.

Lee later addressed the situation directly, clarifying why he dropped the whole and stating his take on the mistaken identity confusion.

“In the video last night, I had the rose that was given to me in her hand and let it fall on the floor. This had nothing to do with Taraji P. Henson. I wholeheartedly believe that wasn’t my rose.”

“That wasn’t my moment,” Keith Lee added. “It was given to me, but it wasn’t mine. And I always say I don’t want anything that wasn’t mine. I want what’s for me. Nothing less. Nothing more.”

However, the 27-year-old TikTok food influencer said Henson was not to blame and faulted BET for rushing the segment.

Regardless, Henson has responded, claiming that Lee was seated incorrectly. She also said the incident harmed his ego and that he should move on.

“Life really is too short for this behavior,” the actress wrote in the morningjuiceboxtv comment section. He wasn’t in his seat️. They give celebrity-assigned seats!”

Furthermore, Henson stated that she practiced “all day,” despite Lee’s assertion that the segment felt “unprepared and unprofessional.”

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She continued, “I rehearsed all damn day to go hit my mark, and that young man wasn’t in his seat, so HE MISSED HIS MOMENT! His ego is hurt. He will be fine. I cleaned it up at the end of the show. No love lost here. #GodBless”