BET Awards: Stars use stage to strongly criticize Roe v. Wade ruling

By Associated Press

LOS ANGELES: Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae and Jazmine Sullivan had been a number of the massive stars utilizing the BET Awards stage to strongly criticize the Supreme Court’s latest determination to strip away ladies’s constitutional safety for abortion.

Henson took the stage because the present’s host on Sunday with an uplifting message about “Black excellence” earlier than she launched into the court docket’s overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling final week. The actor took the stage after Lizzo opened the present with a flute solo in a glittery-gold outfit performing her single “About Damn Time.”

“It’s about damn time we talk about the fact that guns have more rights than a woman. It’s a sad day in America,” stated Henson, thanking Lizzo who together with Live Nation lately donated $1 million in tour proceeds to Planned Parenthood. “A weapon that can take lives has more power than a woman that can give life – if she chooses to.”

Janelle Monae (Photo | AP)_

Janelle Monae held up her center finger towards the Supreme Court earlier than she launched nominees for greatest feminine R&B/pop artist. Her speech earned standing applause on the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

“These artists are making art on our own terms, owning our truths and expressing ourselves freely and unapologetically in a world that tries to control and police our bodies, my body and our decisions, my body,” stated the singer, who additionally paid homage to the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. “(Explicit) you Supreme Court. I know we’re celebrating right now as we should. We absolutely deserve to celebrate — especially now we should celebrate our art by protecting our rights and our truths,” she added.

Jazmine Sullivan (Photo| AP)

Afterwards, Monae launched Sullivan because the class’s winner — who made a plea to males for his or her help of ladies.

Sullivan stated, “It’s a hard time for us. I want to speak directly to the men: We need y’all. We need y’all to stand up, stand up for us, stand up with us. If you’ve ever benefitted from a woman making one of the toughest decisions of her life, which is to terminate a pregnancy, you need to be standing. This is not just a woman issue. This is everybody’s issue. We need your support more than ever.”

Latto gave an emotional speech after she received greatest new artist. “It’s giving pro-choice,” stated the rapper, who later carried out her smash hit “Big Energy” with Mariah Carey. “It’s never giving a man policing my body.”

Singer Tems devoted her greatest worldwide act award to the numerous ladies who “dare to dream.”

“Where I’m from, things like this don’t happen,” said the Lagos, Nigeria-born singer who won the best collaboration with Justin Bieber and Wizkid for their song ‘Essence.’ This is a dream. If you’re watching me, I want you to imagine yourself as me because you are meant to be here too.”

VIEW GALLERY: ‘Huge blow to ladies’s rights’: Leaders, celebs condemn US Supreme Court’s abortion ruling

Doja Cat entered the present because the main nominee with six. The chart-topping performer is up for greatest feminine R&B-pop artist, greatest feminine hip-hop artist, an album of the 12 months for her No. 1 hit “Planet Her” and BET Her for “Woman.” Her “Kiss Me More” with SZA is nominated for video of the 12 months and greatest collaboration.

Sean “Diddy” Combs will obtain the Lifetime Achievement Award — one of many highest honours on the ceremony. The music mogul is the founding father of Bad Boy Records, has his personal tv community, and vogue line and is a three-time Grammy winner who has labored with a slew of top-tier artists together with Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112.

Drake and Ari Lennox had been the second-most nominated acts, scoring 4 nods every. Three nominations went to a number of others together with Baby Keem, Silk Sonic, Chloe Bailey, Future, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Ye (previously referred to as Kanye West), Kendrick Lamar, Lil Baby, Mary J. Blige and Tems.

Jack Harlow (left) and Brandy(Photo | AP)

Jack Harlow carried out “Poison” alongside Lil Wayne earlier than Brandy hit the stage with him for his hit “First Class.” While Harlow and Brandy carried out, the digicam turned to her brother, Ray J, who was seen dancing within the viewers.

Chance the Rapper and Joey Bada$$ carried out “The Highs & the Lows.” In her pink robe, Muni Long opened her set with a snippet of “Time Machine” earlier than her jam “Hrs & Hrs.”