BET Awards 2024: Taraji P. Henson Blends Entertainment with Cultural Commentary

Taraji P. Henson shined as the host of the BET Awards for the third time. The 53-year-old Golden Globe winner opened the show with a parody of Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," celebrating Black culture with the line, "It's about us." She took the stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles in a red hoodie, jeans, and a red cap, setting a vibrant tone for the evening.

In her opening monologue, Henson addressed the recent CNN presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, humorously rebutting Trump's claim that immigrants are taking Black jobs. She quipped, "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."

Media personality B. Simone later echoed this sentiment, humorously questioning the audience about whether certain jobs were "Black jobs."

Henson's previous hosting stints at the BET Awards have been equally impactful. In 2021, she honored iconic Black women in pop culture, such as Zendaya, Jazmine Sullivan, Issa Rae, and Maxine Waters. In 2022, she used her platform to highlight the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

This year, Henson hinted at a "cool AF" surprise for the opening, demonstrating her continued ability to entertain and engage while addressing significant cultural and political issues.