By Okla Jones ·Updated June 30, 2024
Taraji P. Henson has been a staple in the entertainment industry for almost three decades. After rising to prominence in John Singleton’s Baby Boy in 2000, the Baltimore native appeared in films such as Hustle & Flow, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Think Like A Man, and The Color Purple. As an Academy Award-nominated actor, producer, author, and mental health advocate, her celebrated career knows no bounds. Now, she will return as the host of the 2024 BET Awards on June 30.
“I’m honored and really grateful,” she tells ESSENCE. “Clearly, I’m doing something right because they asked me again for the third time.” Henson, who recently released her new children’s book, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 26: Host Taraji P. Henson speaks onstage during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)
This year’s ceremony is definitely primed to be one to remember. GRAMMY Award-winning musician Usher will be honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award, while it’s performers include GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Victoria Monét, and Will Smith. With a lineup of the industry’s most influential figures, BET is staying true to its moniker of “Culture’s Biggest Night,” by highlighting the best in Black entertainment.
The BET Awards is not only a fun and exciting moment for viewers, artists, experts, and tastemakers, but it is also an opportunity to showcase the most beautiful aspects of the Black experience. By honoring the present and future of music, creativity, and sportsmanship, this ceremony stands above the rest in many aspects. As host of the ceremony, Henson explains the bevy of emotions that she experiences while on stage. From the crowd, to the acts, to the production team, the show features the entire gamut of what Black excellence is, and can be.
“It’s just the multitude of talent that’s in the room, and it’s us,” Taraji says of the show’s impact. “It’s the culture. There are performers, visual artists, politicians, community leaders, educators—you name it, they’re there. It’s a great night for us to celebrate each other and lift each other up because a lot of times we don’t get celebrated in this way. So this is a safe space to really inspire each other.”
The 2024 BET Awards will air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 30, 2024, on BET at 8 PM ET/ PT.
TOPICS: bet awards Latto Los Angeles Shaboozey Taraji P. Henson victoria monét
The post Taraji P. Henson Highlights The Impact And Influence Of The BET Awards appeared first on Essence.
