Sam Smith, Beyoncé, The Weeknd and Nicki Minaj were among the artists to walk away with a BET Award on Sunday (June 28).
Nicki Minaj gives acceptance speech last night
Smith won the Best New Artist award, but did not attend the ceremony held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Janet Jackson accepts her award
Co-host Anthony Anderson collected the singer’s award on his behalf and joked: “Sam Smith could not be here tonight because he’s white, and he didn’t think he would win at the BET Awards and he didn’t think he could win, but we showed him that we love him too.”
Eddy Kenzo pose with his award alongside other guests
Beyoncé was named Best Female R&B/Pop Artist at the event, while her video for 7/11 was crowned Video Of The Year and helped her score a third award for Best Video Director Of The Year with Ed Burke and Todd Tourso.
Also taking the plunge and showing off her ample cleavage was Amber Rose, who sported a very low-cut corset top paired with business-chic trousers and a formal jacket
Janet Jackson also attended the BET Awards, where she was honoured with the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award.
Chris Brown gave his suit a day off to go very casual at the annual event. It is not known if he will have to sit near or share the stage with ex-girlfriend Rihanna
“We began a fantastic journey with a friend we celebrate tonight. She came to us a young woman with a lot to say and boy did she say it. She is Ms Janet Jackson,” said the singer’s longtime friend and producer Terry Lewis Lewis.
Chris Brown’s ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran went for a monochrome mermaid inspired look that showed off her taut midriff
“It’s been a very long journey to this moment,” Jackson said as she collected the award. “My heart is so full. Thank you God for making anything, everything possible.”
Ciara made her red carpet debut with her beau, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
Chris Brown also fared well, earning the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist title, as well as the Fandemonium Award and the Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award for featuring on Minaj’s ‘Only’.
Flo Rida rocked a bubble-gum pink suit as he posed with his stunning flame-haired date
Elsewhere, the Best Male Hip-Hop Artist went to Kendrick Lamar, Best Female Hip-Hop Artist to Minaj, Best Group to Rae Sremmurd and Best Collaboration to Common and John Legend.
The 32-year-old rapper Nicki Minaj was joined on the red carpet by her boyfriend Meek Mill – both of them performing later at the ceremony
Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo won the BET International Viewers choice award becoming the first Ugandan and East African artiste to win this prestigious accolade.
The 34-year-old singer Kelly Rowland flashed a megawatt smile as she turned around with a wave
Meanwhile, the Centric Award was handed to The Weeknd for ‘Earned It’, which the singer performed on-stage with Alicia Keys.
The Dip It Low hitmaker Christina Milan flashed a peace sign as she posed for selfies with adoring fans
In the movie categories, Terrence Howard was named Best Actor, while Taraji P Henson collected the Best Actress Award and Selma won Best Movie.
The estranged wife of Wiz Khalifa, 31, was joined by her gal pal Blac Chyna, 27, whose ex-fiance Tyga, 25, is currently dating Kylie Jenner, 17
Other winners included Lecrae, Mo’Ne Davis, Serena Williams, Stephen Curry, Stonebwoy and Stormzy.
