What in the Holy Glorilla Just Happened?! Jamie Foxx, 3 Icons, and 10 BET Awards Moments We’re Still Processing

By Sahndra Fon Dufe | Black Film Wire

The 20th anniversary of the BET Awards pulled off the impossible: they gave us gospel and Glorilla, Snoop and scripture, Mariah and a mic stand. I showed up ready for Black excellence… but I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster that would follow. This show was part sermon, part soul train, part fever dream.

From Jamie Foxx’s miraculous return to Taraji P. Henson turning every outfit change into a full-blown theatrical moment, the night was bursting with soul, sass, and surprise. BET declared: “Let’s celebrate two decades of being the culture.” And baby, they did — with star-studded performances, spontaneous tears, and one moment so baffling I had to Google it three times to make sure it really happened (spoiler: it did, and it’s #8 on this list).

Here are 10 moments I’m still emotionally recovering from:

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1. Jamie Foxx, You Beautiful, Resilient Man.

When Jamie Foxx stepped on that stage, the audience erupted like they’d seen a ghost — but it was a miracle. After his mysterious health scare last year, the Oscar-winning actor wasn’t just alive and well, he was glowing. Jamie thanked fans around the world who prayed for him, gave a moving shoutout to his two daughters (Corinne Marie, and Annelise) as well as his sister who never left his side, and reminded us that God’s not done with him yet. And he wasn’t just back… he was being honored. Jamie received the BET Ultimate Icon Award, standing tall beside fellow legends Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin. The way he walked on that stage like he had never been away — it was spine-tingling. A standing ovation so long I thought they were going to hand him another Oscar. And in case this BET comeback wasn’t surreal enough, his award was presented by none other than Ray Charles. That’s right. The icon walked out in full character and brought the house down, so did Jennifer Hudson’s glass-shattering voice when she came out to sing for Jamie. It was poetic, powerful, and pure BET.

Jamie arriving BET Awards 2025 with his daughters

2. Taraji P. Henson Hosting Like She Was Born on the BET Stage

By now, BET should just hand her a spare mic and call her their permanent host. Taraji delivered monologues that felt like sermons, wore outfits that belonged in a Smithsonian exhibit, and — in one unforgettable monologue on scorned love — broke into a dramatic British accent that had the entire audience deeply moved, during her co-star Teyana’s performance. She’s part host, part preacher, part aunty-who-will-check-you, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

3. Aaron Pierre and Teyana Taylor, Boo’d Up and Booked

The crowd was full of stars, but what caught our eye? Aaron Pierre — the brooding British actor we all have a crush on — seated with none other than Teyana Taylor, both glowing and grinning like they were at their own private afterparty. Just days after going public on his birthday, the couple looked blissfully in love. Also: did you see Teyana’s performance? She danced like the stage was her second home and reminded us why she’s a full-package powerhouse.

4. Snoop Dogg’s Tribute Was Pure Hip-Hop Ancestry

Uncle Snoop, ladies and gentlemen. No, scratch that — Icon Snoop. Introduced by Dr. Dre and flanked by his wife on stage, he received his flowers like a Don. And then? He lit up the room — figuratively this time — with a performance that had us crib-walking in our souls. He dropped classics like “Gin and Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” proving that when Snoop’s on the mic, it’s not a performance… it’s a history lesson.

5. Kendrick Lamar Did That. Again.

Kendrick walked up quiet, collected, and humble to accept his award — I believe it was for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist — and reminded us that true genius doesn’t always need a spotlight. Sometimes it is the spotlight. He didn’t say much, but his presence said it all: artistry, grace, and revolutionary spirit wrapped in a hoodie and a smile.

He also secured the Album of the Year for GNX, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” and shared the Video Director of the Year award with Dave Free . When he humbly walked up to accept his award, Kendrick's quiet demeanor spoke volumes. Dressed in a hoodie and flashing a modest smile, he reminded us that true genius doesn't always seek the spotlight, it often becomes the spotlight itself.

6. Tyler Perry’s “Millionaire Maker” Flex Was a Sermon

Tyler Perry got up there, looked into the camera, and declared: “I’ve made more Black millionaires than any other studio.” And honestly? That’s not a flex. That’s gospel. He gave a rousing speech on purpose, on vision, and on why our stories matter. With a new Madea on the way and Straw streaming now, the man is still building empires brick by brick.

7. Mariah Carey’s FIRST Win?? BET, Be Serious.

Wait a minute. Y’all mean to tell me this was Mariah Carey’s first BET Award?! The Songbird Supreme took to the stage in full diva glory, introduced by Busta Rhymes no less, and accepted her overdue flowers with grace, glitter, and a wink. “I’ve learned to just be my fabulous self and accept all of who I am,” she said, like the world’s most luxurious affirmation. Icon behavior only.- and while she was at it, performed “Its Like That ” looking like a serious golden snack! Phew!

8. Glorilla Wins Best Gospel Artist and I Just… ???

I’m not gonna lie — I froze. Glorilla? Best Gospel Artist? At first, I thought it was a skit. Even she looked shocked. No disrespect, but this felt like when your aunt tries to play Yolanda Adams and ends up on Cardi B Radio by mistake. Was this BET trying to tell us something… or just trolling? Either way, the church group chat is still not okay. Even she was shocked.

9. Kirk Franklin Closed the Show with Divine Fire

That said, Kirk Franklin didn’t just sing — he summoned. The choir, the choreography, the lung capacity… it was holy. As the grand finale of the show, his performance felt like a full-blown gospel revival with LED lights. When he said, “Only God can take a man who can’t even sing and give him a career like this — it doesn’t make sense, until it does,” we all felt that in our bones. The Holy Spirit and the bassline were equally strong.

10. Kevin Hart Was the Glue We Didn’t Know We Needed

From start to finish, Kevin kept the crowd roaring, whether it was his light-hearted church jokes or playful digs at the industry. His skits with Kerry Washington and other surprise guests brought levity and laughter, and he somehow managed to ride the line between irreverent and reverent. A tough gig — pulled off flawlessly.

The 2025 BET Awards were like a family reunion, homecoming, revival, block party and glam gala all wrapped into one — dipped in cocoa butter and sprinkled with stardust. It was joyful, unpredictable, overwhelming, and deeply rooted in the legacy of Black creativity.

By Sahndra Fon Dufe | Black Film Wire

Happy 20th, BET. Thank you for the drama, the joy, the culture — and yes, even the Gospel according to Glorilla.