Oscar-nominated star Taraji P. Henson stole the show at the 2024 BET Awards, captivating the audience with her role as host which dazzled audiences at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater on Sunday night.
The 53-year-old star of "Hidden Figures" wowed the crowd with seven dramatic outfit changes, a sharp jab at Donald Trump, and a humorous parody of Kendrick Lamar's latest hit, "Not Like Us."
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In her role as host, Henson didn't hold back, especially when addressing Trump's controversial comments from a CNN presidential debate against Joe Biden. The former President, aiming to secure the GOP nomination, had falsely claimed that immigrants were "taking Black jobs," a statement that sparked widespread backlash due to its baselessness.
Trump had declared, “They’re taking Black jobs now, and it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people. They’re taking Black jobs, and they’re taking Hispanic jobs, and you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history,”
During her lively opening monologue, Henson took a moment to address Trump’s unfounded claims. She remarked, “[This is] a show packed full of all-stars with Black jobs. Whatever that means. But clearly, we know there’s a difference – thanks for the info, but we already knew it.”
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The night was filled with high-energy performances, including Megan Thee Stallion's electrifying medley of hits like "Hiss," "Boa," and "Where Them Girls At." After this dynamic opening, Henson returned to the stage for her parody performance, taking on Kendrick Lamar's persona from his Juneteenth show, "The Pop Out: Ken and Friends."
Taraji P. Henson transformed the BET Awards stage into a comedic spectacle, channeling her inner Billy Crystal. As the familiar beats of "Not Like Us" played, the audience braced for a fresh twist on the song that had already marked several pop culture moments. Henson’s version, however, swapped the original lyrics for humor, targeting mediocre films and nepotism instead of the ongoing Kendrick-Drake feud.
In a clever turn, she altered Lamar’s diss track aimed at Drake to "This About Us," emphasizing cultural unity and solidarity. Her performance, met with roaring applause, showcased her versatility and wit. Styled by the iconic duo Wayman and Micah, Henson’s energetic rendition of Lamar’s hit was a standout moment of the night.
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