Nicki Minaj turned the the green carpet pink at the BET Awards 2011 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 26). The blonde Barbie made her way inside to pick up the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, provoking laughs when she said, “Wow, I can’t believe I won.”

Wiz Khalifa arrived with girlfriend Amber Rose on his arm, Kelly Rowland was glowing in a pink Marchesa dress, Willow Smith paid tribute to her famous father in a Fresh Prince T-shirt, and Drake was sweating bullets in all black.

Check out 48 photos in our arrivals gallery below.

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Ten years after releasing her breakthrough debut songs in A minor, a stunning Alicia Keys returned to the BET Awards stage as a wife and mother. During her surprise-filled set, the Grammy-winning songstress, dressed in Dolce & Gabbana, performed the previously unreleased “Typewriter,” dueted with Bruno Mars on “A Woman’s Worth,” and brought out Rick Ross for a soulful spin on “Maybach Music.”

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Chris Brown returned to the BET Awards following last year’s emotional tribute to Michael Jackson. The blond singer, who picked up four awards on Sunday, performed a medley of hits including “She Ain’t You,” “Look at Me Now” with guest Busta Rhymes, and “Paper Scissors Rock,” wowing the audience with his fancy footwork and bold fashion.

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Jill Scott showed off her vocal and acting chops, performing with actor Idris Elba at the BET Awards 2011. The lady in red transformed the stage into a lounge, performing a steamy version of “Rolling Hills” off her newly released album The Light of the Sun.

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Rick Ross let it all hang out during his performance at the BET Awards. The biggest Bawse, looking regal in a red open-chested top, kicked things off with “Aston Martin Music,” bringing out DJ Khaled, Ace Hood, and Lil Wayne to perform the remix to “Hustle Hard.”

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Mary J. Blige took viewers back in time with a retrospective of career-defining hits during the opening performance at the BET Awards 2011. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul emerged from the top of the stairs to sing a soulful medley, duet with the legendary Anita Baker on “Caught Up in the Rapture,” and debut her new song with DJ Khaled and Jadakiss (“It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over”).

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Swizz Beatz set off the BET Awards 2011 with a swagged-out performance of his Haute Living single “Everyday (Coolin’)” outside the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. He was joined by the sexy Eve, who helped warm up the crowd before the big show.

Also during the pre-show, Miguel performed “Sure Thing,” Mindless Behavior got a hand from Young Money’s Tyga and Lil Twist, and Diggy Simmons showed off his dance moves with his debut single “Copy Paste.” Plus, Lloyd and Lil Twist catered to the ladies with their respective singles “Cupid” and “Love Affair,” and YC remixed “Racks” with Nelly.

Peep the pre-show festivities below.

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Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, and Bruno Mars are headed to the BET Awards this weekend.

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