BET Awards to Hold Virtual Ceremony
The BET Awards will go on.
The network has announced that it will move forward with its annual award show in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of the usual glitzy red-carpet affair, a virtual ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 28, at 8 p.m. EST using “innovative techniques and artist-generated content.”
2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the BET Awards as well as BET’s 40th anniversary. This year’s show will continue its celebration of black excellence with not-to-be missed moments. Nominations will be announced at a later date along with the all-star lineup.
“At BET, we place the health and safety of attendees, staff, vendors, and partners first, which is why the biggest night in black entertainment will go on implementing this innovative production direction,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “For the past twenty years, The BET Awards have paid homage to all things now and relevant. Despite the challenges of today, we will deliver a show filled with larger than life, inspiring, empowering and entertaining moments, which have shown the magic of our culture for over two decades.”
The BET Experience, the three-day event leading up to the BET Awards in Los Angeles, has been canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and will return in 2021. All VIP packages sold to date will be available for a refund.
The 2019 BET Awards featured performances from Cardi B, Migos, Mary J. Blige, Lil Nas X, and a tribute to Nipsey Hussle with DJ Khaled, John Legend, and YG.