The stars of the 2022 BET Awards didn’t shy away from addressing the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling in Sunday night’s ceremony.
The show opened with host Taraji P. Henson, host Janelle Monae and Best Female R&B/Pop Artist winner Jazmine Sullivan all criticizing the move during the first 17 minutes of the show.
“Guns have more rights than women,” Hansen said in her monologue. “This is a sad day in America. A weapon that can take a life is more powerful than a woman who can give it, if she wants to.”
Monet pointed his middle finger and said, “Fuck you, the Supreme Court” (the profanity was deleted, but the gesture was not), while Sullivan called on men to support women’s fight for their rights.
Best Rookie winner Lato later joined in his criticism of the Supreme Court.
Other winners include YoungStars Award winner Marsai Martin – in her speech she encouraged young people to speak up – and The Weeknd (not in attendance) for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist.
BET Awards veteran Mary J. Blige, who received the BET Her Award three years ago during her lifetime achievement award during the show Good morning gorgeous. In her speech, Brigg looked back at her career and all the accolades she’s won over the years, and said she wasn’t taking anything for granted and wasn’t ready to step down. “This is just the beginning for me,” she said.
The award honors “creative expression and Black excellence in music, television, film and sports and will be presented at the 2022 BET Awards, broadcast live at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, with Taraji P. Henson as host.
Additionally, Sean “Diddy” Combs received Lifetime Achievement Awards from Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Kanye “Ye” West at the show. He also made an appearance on stage, starring Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Nas, Lil’ Kim, Busta Rhymes, The Lox, Bryson Tiller, Faith Evans and The Maverick City Choir.
BET’s Connie Orlando oversaw the show with Jamal Noisette. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay serving as executive producers.
The list of nominees below will be updated when it is announced live. Refresh for the latest information. Check out the red carpet photos here.
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ali Lennox
Chloe
DOJA pussy
she
Jazmin Sullivan (winner)
Mary Brigg
summer walker
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
BLXST
Chris Brown
Shay
lucky man
weekend (winner)
WIZKID
Jonbru
best group
Bruno Mars, Anderson. PAAK, Silk Sonic
Chloe x Haller
city girl
LIL BABY & LIL DURK
Migos
Young Dolph and Key Glock
best cooperation
Essence – WIZKID feat. Justin Bieber and TEMS (winner)
Every chance I get – DJ KHALED FEAT. LIL BABY & LIL DURK
FAMILY RELATIONS – BABY KEEM AND KENDRICK LAMAR
KISS ME AGAIN – DOJA CAT FEAT.Shenzhen
WAY 2 SEXY – DRAKE FEAT.The future with young thugs
Whole LOTTA MONEY (REMIX) – BIA FEAT.Nicki Minaj
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
heart B
DOJA pussy
Lato
Megan your horse
Nicki Minaj
Saviti
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Drake
future
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Kanye West
Kendrick Lamar
Baby
Video of the Year
FAMILY RELATIONS BABY KEEM AND KENDRICK LAMAR
Mercy Chloe
KISS ME MORE DOJA CAT FEAT.Shenzhen
Pressure Ali Lennox
Smoking Bruno Mars, Anderson. PAAK, Silk Sonic
WAY 2 SEXY DRAKE feat.The future with young thugs
Video Director of the Year
Anderson.PAAK aka Director.PAAK
Benny Boom
Beyonce & DIKAYL RIMMASCH
Director X
Hype Williams
Miss Eliot
best newcomer
baby kim
Butcher Benny
Lato (winner)
Mouth nylon
TEMS
Jonbru
album of the year
SILK SONIC, BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON.PAAK, SILK SONIC NIGHT
in my mind she
Call me if you get lost, Tyler, creator
Certified Lover Boy, Drake
Donda, Kanye West
HEAUX TALES, MO’ TALES: THE DELUXE, JAZMINE SULLIVAN
Planet Her, DOJA CAT
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
It’s all in your hands, Marvin Sapp
Come on, Kanye West
Grace, Kelly Price
Hallelujah, Fred Hammond
Hold us together (hopefully mixed), she and tauren Wells
JIREH, Elevation Worship and Maverick Urban Music
WE WIN, LIL BABY X, Kirk Franklin (WINNER)
bet her
The Best of Me (original), Alicia Keys
Good Morning Gorgeous, MARY J. BLIGE (WINNER)
Have mercy, Chloe
Pressure, Ali Lennox
Roster, Jazmin Sullivan
UNLOYAL, Summer Walker & ARI LENNOX
WOMAN, DOJA pussy
Best International Act
Dave (UK)
Dinos (France)
FALLY IPUPA (Democratic Republic of Congo)
FIREBOY DML (Nigeria)
Small SIMZ (UK)
Ludmila (Brazil)
Major League DJZ (South Africa)
TAYC (France)
TEMS (Nigeria) (WINNER)
best movie
candy man
king richard
respect
Space Jams: A New Legacy
summer of soul
The worse they fell
best actor
Adrian Holmes, Bel Air
Anthony Anderson, Blake-ish
Damson Idris, snowfall
Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth
Forest Whitaker, Respect | Harlem Godfather
JABARI BANK, Bel Air
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Will Smith, King Richard
best actress
AUNJANUE ELLIS, KING RICHARD
Coco Jones, Bel Air
ISSA RAE, insecure
Jennifer Hudson, Respect
MARY J. BLIGE, POWER BOOK II: GHOST
QUEEN LATIFAH, equalizer
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Regina King, the harder they fell
Zendaya, Euphoria | Spider-Man: No Way Home
Youth Star Award
Akira Akbar
Demi Singleton
Marcel Martin (winner)
Miles Brown
sania sidney
Storm Reid
Female Athlete of the Year Award
Britney Greenner
candace parker
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Shakary Richardson
Simon Byers
Athlete of the Year Award
Aaron Donald
Baba Wallace
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Ja Morant
LeBron James
Stephen Curry