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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: Char on 6/30/2009 12:56AM
I was very, very disappointed with the show. First, I thought it was disrespectful and dumb to not acknowledge all nominees in their respective categories. Second, Jamie Foxx was in way too many segments. I think hosting and performing his "Blame It," song were more than enough. Third, it was a disservice to the memory of Michael Jackson to say that this show was a tribute to Michael. It looked more like someone's short sighted bright idea on how to get more publicity for the Bet award show, and the BET station rather than an emphasis on the late Michael Jackson. It also distracted attention from the other award recipients, especially the O'Jays. Surely BET could find a 2-hour time slot to present s real tribute to Michael Jackson. Last, the award show could have been a great opportunity for grandparents, parents, and children to sit and watch an entertaining and inspiring show. But instead, there was way too much inappropriate gestures and words for our young people to sit and enjoy with their family. How many times was Lil Wayne's words beeped? Why put this on? The bottom line, I once held Deborah Lee in the highest esteem, but now I must say not any longer.On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate it a 2.
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By: Tiffany on 6/30/2009 5:48AM
These fools that call their mess music these days need a lot of help.Micheal Jackson never ever had to cuss,or dis-repect anyone to sell records.I believe he saw the other side, and took off running to happiness finally. I sure should have set myself free of this awful world.Some people in this world only live for hell, and dis-respect the good people do.
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By: LINDA on 6/30/2009 5:57PM
I WATCHED THE BET AWARDS YES IT HAD BAD/GOOD/AND UGLY PARTS OF THE SHOW.BUT AT LEAST THEY SHOWED SOME RESPECT FOR THE KING OF POP.WITCH I CAN SAY MORE THAN MICHEALS JACKSON FATHER JOE JACKASSSON GAVE HIS OWNE SON.I SAWL THE PART WHEN JOE JACKSON WAS ON CNN NEWS AND THE REPORTER ASKED HIM HOW HE FELT ABOUT THE LOST OF HIS SON.AND HE HAD SOME BODY ELSE SPEAK FOR HIM AND HE ALSO MITIOEND A BOUT SOME BLUE RAY HE OWED HE WAS.JUST A BOUT HIS SELF AND WHEN THE REPORTER ASKED A BOUT HIS WIFE HE JUST CUTE HIM OFF.LIKE HE WAS TO GOOD TO SPEAK TO THE REPORTER ABOUT HIS SON.FOR MICHEAL JACKSON TO HAVE SUCH A MEAN AND EVIL FATHER.I WAS A GREAT PERSON INSIDE AND OUT AND I WILL MISS MJ AND 4 EVER KEEP HIS MUSIC A LIVE R.I.P MIHEAL JOSEPH JACKSON.
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By: LINDA on 6/30/2009 7:22PM
THE BEST I LOVED IN THE AWARDS WAS #1 KEYSHIA COLE/MONICA.#2 NE-YO SANG THAT MICHEAL JACKSON SONG BY HIM SELF HE DID THAT.#3 MARY/MARY AND QUEEN LATIFAH 'GOD IN ME'#4 WHEN ALICIA KEYS/WEYFLEF JEAN WON THE HUMANITAIRAN AWARD#5 THE LAST SONG JAMIE/NE-YO SANG AT THE END.THE WORST WAS#1LIL WAYNE/DRAKE,#2 BEYONCE,#3 JAY-Z BUT THE MISSING LINKS WERE USHER,CHRIS BROWN,PRINCE,MARIAH CARIE,JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE,DIANNA ROSS,MARCUS HOUSTON,STEVE WONDER.BUT THEY DID WHAT THEY COULD IN JUST THE LAST MIN.OH YA AND I LOVED KEITH SWEAT,BBD,NEW ADDITION AND TIRESS,JOHNNY GILL,TRAY SONG PERFORMANCE.R.I.P MICHEAL JOSEPH JACKSON.GOD BLESS
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By: Will on 6/30/2009 11:13PM
The BET awards show was nothing short of a low class ignorant ghetto celebration. This is what happens when some in our community support the likes of d-list no talented musicians like Jay-z and the rest of those ignorant rappers. BET should be ashame of themselves for producing a low-class piece of crap awards show. It is time to bring this minstrel rap show to a end that has done nothing but disrespect women and our black community. BET you should be ashame.
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By: satokofan on 7/01/2009 9:19AM
nice!!!!!!!
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By: Elle B. on 7/14/2009 4:33PM
I hate the BET Awards. Actually I hate everything BET. It is nothing but ghetto. It promotes a negative view of black people. I mean seriouslythe movies they show like "The Cookout" and "3 Strikes." And they show them at least once a month. It makes people think that we can't stay out of jail and that we act ghetto and foolish in public. And to make it worse they're coming out with "Tiny & Toya" and "Frankie and Effy"......seriously.....
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By: Aretha on 7/14/2009 5:59PM
Taraji P. Henson wore the hell out of her dress. That's how you are supposed to look when you wear something like that!
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