The 2024 BET Awards have been very controversial and have created a storm on social media. The award show celebrates black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports, and philanthropy. However, this year, the show featured O.J. Simpson’s photo in their ‘In Memoriam’.
This has created a big controversy online. The event took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Usher, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Tyla, SZA, and many more took back the award home. While R&B singer Usher received the Lifetime Achievement Award. But O.J. Simpson’s inclusion in memoriam has drawn viewer’s attention the most.
BET Awards ‘In Memoriam’ Segment Surprisingly Mentions O.J. Simpson Credited
The biggest controversy from the BET Awards recently was O.J. Simpson’s getting featured in memoriam. Although he was indeed a great NFL player, his name is remembered not for that. Simpson was controversially acquitted of the 1994 murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. He was also convicted of armed robbery.
American actress Tia Mowry introduced the ‘In Memoriam’ as a tribute to “the Black excellence that we unfortunately lost this year.” She added in her speech, “It’s never easy to say goodbye to those who influence us, but we can take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge their contributions to the culture.” Mowry also said that those featured “changed how our artistry is seen and left us with a legacy that we will always remember.”
In Case You Missed: OJ Simpson Almost Became The Sci-Fi Cyborg in ‘The Terminator’
Netizens Slam BET Awards For Featuring O.J. Simpson
Social media has overflowed with posts of netizens slamming the award ceremony for this. “lol OJ Simpson in memoriam for anything is WILD no matter how you slice it,” read one post on X. Another noted that the audience did not know what to do when he popped up on screen. Although applause was heard on the televised broadcast, it seems it was added later on.
One user wrote, “Putting OJ on the screen BET been messy all night”. Another wrote, “OJ Simpson?! Now, BET, Girl…” Many netizens posted memes about seeing his name on the screen.
lol no pun intended trulyhttps://t.co/rzjdx8Fs35
— Anna (@itsafronomics) July 1, 2024
Putting OJ on the screen BET been messy all night pic.twitter.com/mDNxVxfY7o
— The Freaky Frog! (@CoochieBeating) July 1, 2024
OJ Simpson?! Now, BET, Girl… #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/rJ5s41STBf
— Will Smith Slapped Me (@AshleyShyMiller) July 1, 2024
They knew what they were doing.😂 pic.twitter.com/G27yWCnu6H
— Iamdastandard (@TamDPBI) July 1, 2024
And the audience cheered loud 🤣
— Trenelle (@TrenelleDoyle) July 1, 2024
O.J. died at the age of 76 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
You Might Also Like To Read:
