The biggest stars in black entertainment graced the stage at the 2011 BET Awards. While there were several memorable moments on stage, the action behind the scenes were as compelling. Rolling out magazine was on hand to capture every second of what you didn’t see on TV. –amir shaw
3:15 p.m. (Pacific)
Welcome to BET’s green carpet
Hundreds of media outlets formed a line behind metal barricades as BET’s green carpet opened to celebrities in attendance. Nick Cannon, KeKe Palmer, and Jaden and Willow Smith were a few of the first entertainers to arrive.
5:00 p.m.
Backstage action
The green carpet closes as the event begins. Stars are escorted to the media room for photo ops and interviews. Mary J. Blige and Tariji P. Henson are the first to take pics backstage.
5:40 pm
The Five Heartbeats reunite, but has actor Michael Wright really
turned into Eddie King Jr.?
The stars of the hit movie, The Five Heartbreats, reunited to introduce the best male group award. Afterwards, Robert Townsend, Michael Wright, Leon, Harry Lennix and Tico Wells took photos backstage. However, Wright, appearing a bit unbalanced, took over the interview as if he were reprising his memorable role as Eddie King Jr. Townsend and the other actors seemed a bit uneasy with Wright’s behavior. Similar to how they looked when Eddie King showed up to a concert high.
6:15 p.m.
Idris Elba Gets Peeved
When asked by a journalist about losing the starring role of Alex Cross to Tyler Perry, Idris Elba gets peeved. He tells the journalist to do better research and storms away, refusing to answer further questions from the media.
7:30 p.m.
Nia Long Talks About Her Pregnancy
Showing off her baby bump in a white dress, Long talked about how she found out she was pregnant. “I was supposed to do a film in Ghana and that’s when I found out that I was pregnant. They told me that I couldn’t get the Yellow Fever shot because of the pregnancy. It was a pleasant surprise.”
8:00 p.m.
Don McKurlin Comments on Bishop Eddie Long’s Sexual Abuse Case
“I believe that, even myself, I have been a hypocrite before and I have been wrong before. When I’m wrong, I make my amends. It is imperative for us to repent.”
9:00 p.m.
Stephen Hill Takes the Blame for Tiffany Green’s mistake
While introducing the winner of the 2011 BET Viewer’s Choice Award, Tiffany Green was told in her earpiece that the winner was Rihanna and her touch pad read Chris Brown. She said Rihanna and Drake accepted the award for her. However, Chris Brown was really the winner. After the ceremony, BET’s Stephen Hill walked into the media room and took full responsibility for the gaffe. He blamed the confusion on a mixup.
