BET Awards 2023: Black Excellence on the Pink Carpet

The BET Awards, honoring Black and minority excellence in entertainment, kicks off Sunday evening at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Tonight’s host, so far, has been kept a mystery (or maybe there isn’t a host or script due to the writers’ strike)—but there are a few things we can expect: Legendary R&B singer Patti Labelle will pay tribute to the late Queen of Rock’n Roll, Tina Turner, on stage. Busta Rhymes will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, joining the ranks of Prince, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Lionel Richie, Queen Latifah and Samuel L. Jackson. And we’ll see performances from Ja Rule, Soulja Boy, Sugarhill Gang, Glorilla, Master P, and more.

But before we get to all that, we’ve got some pretty memorable pink carpet looks to review. We’ll be updating this slideshow throughout the evening as more stars arrive, so stay tuned for all the eye candy...

A jacket and oversize necklace fit for a lifetime achiever.

The rapper went for a witchy vibe tonight, and I’ll have whatever she’s brewing.

This looks like two different dresses spliced together, but I think it’s working on her! We’re seeing lots of sequins and feathers tonight.

I want to take acid and slide down a rainbow into a Pride parade in this outfit. Pure joy.

The rapper is stunning in Ferragamo.

You can have whatever you like.

100 million out of 10.

Looking dapper as hell in a classic Easter blue suit.

Oh she ate in this. One of the best looks of the night so far.

**standing ovation** This is how you bring something new to menswear.

Is this entirely made of silver ribbons??

She looks like a Greek goddess, and he looks very in love with her, even though they keep trying to get divorced.

This is exactly the level of coordination I want to see from a girl group, though it’s unclear whether they were also planning to coordinate with the carpet.

The rapper, who dropped the “Lil” from his name in 2002 (I guess you can’t stay lil’ forever), is wearing a fun print and shit-kicking boots that I would like to own.

Excellent underboob situation, and the feathers on the trim of the skirt spark joy.

As always, we love a naked dress.

There’s a lot going on here, but it’s safe to say the man loves Louis Vuitton and accessories in general.

It doesn’t get cooler than a bikini and sneakers on the Jamaican reggae artist.

Miss U.S. Virgin Islands is a walking fire emoji.

Another naked dress!! God bless.

I assume this is Rich the Kid because the Getty caption said so, but otherwise it would be unclear.

Yesss! Bring back custom airbrushing!!!! Reminds me of Spring Break.

Best dressed couple award, hands down.

Hard yes to all of this. I stan a sparkly cinnamon roll bra.

The “Crank That” rapper is crankin that Pretty Boy Swag for sure, but he seems to have left the tags on...

He’s just here to one-up Soulja Boy in this fit, apparently.

I just feel like her bra is about to fire bullets at the photographers.

It’s incredibly brave to wear a solid white this bright to anything, I wouldn’t be able to eat or drink anything or touch anyone.

The Hustle & Flow is channeling Marilyn Monroe a little bit with the blonde hair and shimmering salmon-hued gown. She’d have to walk over a blowing vent to complete the vibe.

Naked dress #3!

The South African singer and producer, nominated for Best New International Act tonight, has challenged the pink carpet to a duel and certainly come out on top.

A perfect throwback to the red carpets of the 90s and early 2000s, when stars would just throw on some jeans and a going out top like it was a regular Friday night out.

Two days after the singer defended her rapper boyfriend over cheating rumors, the two were looking awfully loved up together in coordinating solid black. A funeral for their haters?