Unfortunately, the 2009 BET Awards were slightly disorganized and a bit of a yawn. Fortunately, our stars walked the red carpet with aplomb. Of course, being only four days after the death of Michael Jackson, there were flourishes of fashion tributes to him, big and small. Leather of all sorts was de rigueur, as were gloves, hats and splashes of glitter. There were subtle nods, like the one white leather glove worn by Estelle or Ne-Yo's black fedora, to more elaborate homages like host Jamie Foxx opening the show in the complete 'Beat It' outfit. Everyone, from T-Pain to Carmelo Anthony, had on a Michael Jackson T-shirt, and Keri Hilson's performed in rolled skinny jeans, white socks and loafers, a black leather jacket and a glittery white shirt, while Ciara gave Michael a wink in a black-and-gold military jacket festooned in rhinestones similar to the ones that the singer loved so much.
Estelle wore one white glove (vintage); dress by Acne, bag & shoes by Jimmy Choo.
Neyo, who earlier in the night wore a MJ-esque fedora, performed in a white leather jacket and red leather gloves.
Singer Keri Hilson performed in rolled-up jeans, black spats and glittery white socks, just like Mike.
Diddy kept it classic and somewhat somber in a black suit, chunky jewelry and a snazzy textured tie (could have sworn he had on white socks as well, but maybe that was just our imagination).
Taraji P. Henson was elegant and fashionable in a one-shoulder, backless asymmetric black sheath.
Host Jamie Foxx opened the show (and moonwalked) in 'Beat It' gear from Michael Jackson's seminal video.
Beyonce's dress looked like a peacock gone bad (and was shoulder pad crazy), but her amazing body forgave all.
Alicia Keys, who won the humanitarian of the year award, wore a beautiful periwinkle and gold "ethnicly -inspired" frock that was about the same length as Beyonce's.
Singer Ciara went full out in her Michael tribute with a glittery military jacket. She even taped up her pretty fingers.
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"It" boy of the moment Drake performs with his Young Money mentor Lil' Wayne. Drake's cardigan could be seen as a shout-out to Michael Jackson (BET is so hood).
2009 BET Awards
Jay-Z, left, and Beyonce Knowles are seen at the 9th Annual BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
AP
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ne-Yo and actor Jamie Foxx hug after singing "I'll Be There", a song by Michael Jackson, during the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ne-Yo and actor Jamie Foxx hug after singing "I'll Be There", a song by Michael Jackson, during the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ne-Yo (L) and actor Jamie Foxx sing "Ill Be There", a song by Michael Jackson, during the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION.....Actor Jamie Foxx sings "I'll Be There", a song by Michael Jackson, during the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Ne-Yo performs "The Lady in My Life", a song by Michael Jackson, at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ne-Yo and actor Jamie Foxx sing "I'll Be There", a song by Michael Jackson, during the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Ne-Yo performs "The Lady in My Life", a song by Michael Jackson, at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ciara performs "Heal the World", a song by Michael Jackson, .at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009 REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ciara performs "Heal the World", a song by Michael Jackson, .at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
Comments: (79)
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By: Railgun101 on 6/29/2009 7:14AM
It is nice that everyone Honor MJ He was a inspration to many of us and if anything else we all grew up with him some how in our lives God Bless them and and to the King of Pop RIP .
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By: smokey77 on 6/30/2009 8:23PM
I'm not hating, but if you want to see a respectful tribute to Michael jackson in Los Angeles, check this out
http://soulofamerica.com/interact/us-cities/los-angeles/reviews/michael-jackson/
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By: lvgo on 7/25/2009 4:25AM
It shocks me how everone was downing M.J. and calling him all types of names total disrespect while he was living and now that he's passed away everyone is riding his coat tail now. M.J. is in my book one of the most intellengent men on this two faced planet.
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Hope you can find what you need on it. I understand when your in show business any and everthing you do is watched with a fine tooth comb. But i feel everyone went over the top picking at this man. Now he's gone and how long will it take for everyone to start ranking on him again.
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By: anika felipa on 6/29/2009 8:08AM
I really liked this BET Awards. because i really liked how they closed out with a jackson 5 song.
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By: Quvondo on 6/29/2009 8:28AM
It shocks me how everone was downing M.J. and calling him all types of names total disrespect while he was living and now that he's passed away everyone is riding his coat tail now. M.J. is in my book one of the most intellengent men on this two faced planet. I understand when your in show business any and everthing you do is watched with a fine tooth comb. But i feel everyone went over the top picking at this man. Now he's gone and how long will it take for everyone to start ranking on him again.
RIP King of POP
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By: Fanny on 6/29/2009 1:15PM
you r sooooo right
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By: Harold on 6/29/2009 9:16AM
I was very dissappointed with BET Awards tribute to Michael Jackson.I give them credit for the thought but the execution was lacking.It was not focused.It was sporadic and where were the people who knew Michael all or most of his life or those who collaborated with him musically such as : Diana Ross,Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder,Lionel Richie, Paul McCartney, Smokey Robinson,Gladys Knight,Whitney Houston,Prince, and I could go on.Where were the dance tributes? Usher,Chris Brown,Genuwine,MC Hammer.These could have been incorporated into the show.As I said before ,I wonder who really owns BET.It definitely are not people who have our best interests in mind.Please do better.It is possible.
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By: gee on 6/29/2009 9:22AM
It was under short notice. It's hard to get celebs to change their schedule at a drop of dime and then have to come up with a well rehearse tribute so not to embarass themselves. I do think BET work day and night since Thurs evening to give Mike the best tribute they could!
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By: LINDA on 6/29/2009 12:45PM
I AGREE A LIL BIT WITH YOU BUT THEY ONLY HAD A COUPLE OF DAY'S.TO REDO EVERY THING AND ADD MORE PEOPLE THE A WARDS WAS .BEING HELD ON SUN DAY M.J PASSED ON THURS DAY THEY ONLY HAD 2 DAYS TO PULL IT OFF.AT LEAST THEY DID HONOR HIM THE BEST WAY THEY COULD.
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By: Tracy on 6/29/2009 3:16PM
I totally agree with you 100%. My husband and I were expecting a big tribute to Michael Jackson with Diana Ross,Quincy Jones, Berry Gordon, etc. In addition, more of MJ's songs should have been sung instead of witnessing Lil Wayne holding up his nasty pants and Bird Man using the N word. It was so embarrassing. They will never be remembered for great music because all they make is garbage. They don't study their craft and put women down in what they consider music. There is no substance in any of it and give or take five years they will not even be remembered. I like Jamie Foxx but some of his comments were also totally off base especially since this was supposed to be a tribute to MJ.
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