BET Awards 2020: Amanda Seales to host as Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch join performers' line-up
Amanda Seales is set to host the 2020 BET Awards on June 28. The comedian, actress, and television personality is best known for starring as Tiffany DuBois on the HBO series 'Insecure', the critically acclaimed comedy-drama created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore. Seales was also one of the co-hosts, alongside Loni Love, Tamera Mowry, Adrienne Bailon, and Jeannie Mai, of the syndicated daytime talk show, 'The Real'.
Seales announced her upcoming role as host with the caption, "Still I Rise #betawards2020," quoting famed poet Maya Angelou while showing off her latest hosting gig credentials on Instagram. Mandy Moore, MC Lyte, Kyla Pratt and other celebrities congratulated her in the comments section.
For the first time ever to commemorate the awards ceremony's 20-year anniversary and BET's 40-year anniversary, the 2020 BET Awards will simultaneously cast live on CBS and BET/BET HER on June 28 from 8 pm-11 pm ET.
The first group of performers slated to appear at the ceremony was also announced today, June 15 and include five-time nominated newcomers Megan Thee Stallion and Roddy Ricch as well as Alicia Keys, Chloe x Halle, DaBaby, D Smoke, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Jonathan McReynolds, Kane Brown, Lil Wayne, SiR, Summer Walker, Usher and Wayne Brady. BET Amplified Artists Masego and Lonr will take the BET Amplified Music Stage, a platform specifically for emerging acts.
In terms of nominations, Drake is the leading nominee at the 2020 BET Awards. Drake is nominated for six honors, including video of the year and best male hip-hop artist. For both best collaboration and the viewer’s choice award, Drake has been nominated twice thanks to the hits “No Guidance” with Chris Brown and “Life Is Good” with Future. Megan Thee Stallion and Ricch follow Drake with five nominations each. Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Brown, Lizzo and DaBaby earned four nominations each. Kanye West, who released a gospel album last year, is nominated for the Dr Bobby Jones best gospel/inspirational award. He will compete with Kirk Franklin, the Clark Sisters, Fred Hammond, John P Kee and PJ Morton.
Starting at 7 pm ET, in the final countdown to the BET Awards, BET veterans Terrence J and Erica Ash will host the first interactive pre-show featuring celebrities, nominees, and special guests who will be participating in Black Entertainment’s biggest night.
"BET was created to stand at the forefront of black culture. We have made strides over the past two decades to create a space where black creativity, culture, and art have the opportunity to get the celebration it deserves in a world where it is systematically muted," said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET, in a press release, according to Billboard. "This year we’re looking forward to continuing the tradition of providing fans with those special, not to be missed moments of enrichment, entertainment, empowerment and also using our platform to create change for our community," Orlando added.