Lil Nas X Says Relationship With BET Has Been ‘Painful And Strained’
Lil Nas X has not been quiet about his snub from the 2022 BET Awards and even released a song called “Late To Da Party” featuring NBA Youngboy where in…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 03: Lil Nas X performs onstage during the 64th annual GRAMMY awards on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)Lil Nas X has not been quiet about his snub from the 2022 BET Awards and even released a song called "Late To Da Party" featuring NBA Youngboy where in the intro of the track the rapper chants "F--- BET" repeatedly. Lil Nas X is now clearing up that his complicated relationship with BET started way before this year's snub.
In a statement, the rapper told Rolling Stone: “My relationship with BET has been painful and strained for quite some time. It didn’t start with this year’s nominations like most people might think. They did let me perform on their show last year, but only after [I gave] assurances that I was not a satanist or devil worshiper, and that my performance would be appropriate for their audience.”
Lil Nas X's performance immediately became a trending topic after he kissed one of his male dancers at the end of the set.
“They say that ‘no one cheered louder’ for me than them that night, but the BET Awards team was actually very upset that I kissed my dancer onstage and vocalized their discontent with multiple members of my team immediately following the performance,” Nas added.
An anonymous member of Nas' team told the outlet, “At some point after [Nas] got offstage, one of the BET producers came up to me and before I could even open my mouth, he looked at me and said, ‘That was really f----- up.’”
In response, a BET spokesperson said the “summation of events around Lil Nas X’s 2021 BET Awards performance is simply untrue” and added, “Since last year’s performance, we have been in touch to work on other projects. We are still excited about his previous performances and continue to wish him well. But today, we are focused on culture’s biggest night and delivering history-making moments for fans worldwide.”
Lil Nas X was absent from attending the BET Awards this year but his "Industry Baby" collaborator Jack Harlow wore a t-shirt in his honor.
Culture's biggest night is here and so are the best (and worst) dressed celebs of the night.
The 2022 BET Awards aired Sunday, June 26 on BET at 8 pm ET/ PT hosted by Taraji P. Henson. Nominees included Doja Cat, Ari Lennox, Drake, Jazmine Sullivan, and many more.
Take a look at how your favorite artists ranked on the red carpet:
21. Mignon
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images,)We love to see some color on the carpet, but the black fringe doesn't work for this look.
20. Jack Harlow
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images,)Although the Lil Nas X t-shirt made a statement as his "Industry Baby" collaborator was shockingly not nominated for any BET Awards this year, the outfit fell flat.
19. Billy Porter
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)Billy Porter is known for their statement looks which usually are one of the best looks of the night however this look is just plain scary. While the makeup is on point, the beige suit is "blah" and the shoulder pads are a bit much.
18. Givēon
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)While Givēon's debut full-length album is a hit, this red carpet look is not. A black top and brown pants are hard to pull off and sadly this R&B crooner did not.
17. Chance The Rapper
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images,)While Chance The Rapper's look is not one of the worst of the night, it is certainly not the best. The jeans are interesting, but the whole ensemble doesn't look like much effort was put in.
16. Jussie Smollett
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)Jussie Smollett decided to go for a relaxed look with this year's ceremony. The brown ensemble is not bad but doesn't necessarily scream, "I'm attending a red carpet event."
15. Coi Leray
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)Coi Leray always hits the red carpet with some interesting, but the "Blick Blick" rapper surprisingly pulls off the all-jean look.
14. Saucy Santana
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)Saucy Santana's look is giving off 'Clueless' vibes with the plaid dress, which is not necessarily bad. However, the "Booty" rapper could have pulled off the look better with a different footwear choice.
13. Summer Walker
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)Summer Walker always surprises us with her red carpet looks. The expecting mama chose to take a page from RiRi's maternity catalog with this daring look.
12. Quincy Brown
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images,)Quincy showed out for the men on the red carpet with this fun purple look.
11. Taraji P. Henson
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images,)The host of this year's award show Taraji P. Henson came to slay in this glittery one-shoulder silver dress.
10. Muni Long
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)Muni Long chose a gorgeous pink and red dress resembling blooming hydrangeas. Muni slayed this look and wowed the crowd with her performance of her No. 1 hit, "Hrs & Hrs."
9. Ebony Obsidian
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images,)'Sistas' actress Ebony Obsidian looked incredible in this blue bandeau cut-out dress. The simple diamond jewelry and natural makeup compliment the entire look.
8. Mary J. Blige
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images,)Mary J. Blige looked absolutely gorgeous in this all-white two-piece outfit. The one-shoulder and high split are signature Mary, and she brought it once again.
7. Ari Lennox
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)Sometimes an all-black look can come off as basic, but this is not the case with Ari Lennox's look on the red carpet tonight. The mixture of lace and sleekness of her hair pulls the look together completely.
6. Big Freedia
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)BIG Freedia is right. The artist who recently collabed with Beyoncé on "Break My Soul" made a big statement with her pink cape and matching fringed pants. The look comes together with a white shirt under a rainbow bandeau bedazzled vest giving a shoutout to Pride Month.
5. Lizzo
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)Lizzo's face card never declines, and neither does this dress. The "About Damn Time" singer stunned in this dark blue dress. The fur, high slit, and deep v-cut made the dress even sexier.
4. Chlöe Bailey
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)Chlöe Bailey knows how to look stunning on a red carpet. Between the sparkles and elaborate cutout, we can't choose which part of the dress we love more.
3. Lucky Daye
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)Lucky Daye is hands down the best-dressed man at this year's award show. The yellow, blue, and pink ombré suit and matching bouquet take the cake.
2. Victoria Monét
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images,)Looking at this photo, you wouldn't think that this was Victoria Monét's first BET Awards. The "Coastin" singer had one of the night's best looks in her brown latex dress. She also stole the BET preshow in her first-ever award show performance.
1. Janelle Monáe
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)And the best dressed of the night was none other than Janelle Monáe. The singer and actress absolutely slayed in their black dress that had several elements cohesively coming together. The sheerness at the bottom connecting the bandeau top with thick black straps with silver clips is attention to detail at its finest.
