7 Best Moments From the 2025 BET Awards You Didn’t See on Television

Despite the unconscionable runtime and the understandably solemn energy given the anti-ICE protests, as well as the passing of Sly Stone, the 2025 BET Awards tried their best to properly commemorate its 25th anniversary at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theatre on June 9.

To celebrate, BET put together a terrific lineup of performers, including newcomers (Leon Thomas, Ravyn Lenae, Elmiene), industry veterans (Ledisi, Mýa, T.I.) and Ultimate Icon honorees Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and Kirk Franklin.

The night’s most-nominated artist, Kendrick Lamar (10) took home five new trophies, including album of the year for GNX, best male hip-hop artist and video director of the year alongside Dave Free. His Grand National tour co-headliner, SZA, won best female R&B/pop artist, while several notable acts took home their first BET Awards. Shortly after shredding his way through “Mutt,” Leon Thomas was named best new artist; GloRilla used her Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award acceptance speech to quip that this victory was her first after 13 previous nominations. Of course, the Songbird Supreme knocked the air out of the room for a split second before she revealed that her Ultimate Icon Award is the first BET Award of her 35-year career.

Outside of music, 2025 Tonys host Cynthia Erivo won best actress thanks to her work in Wicked, and Denzel Washington, whose Othello was entirely passed over for Tony recognition, took home best actor. Blue Ivy Carter, who’s still popping out every night of her mom’s blockbuster Cowboy Carter Tour, won the YoungStars Award, marking the third BET Award of her young career.

Viewers at home were treated to a nearly five-hour show (including the red carpet pre-show), but even that kind of runtime cannot capture everything that’s going on. Here are the seven best 2025 BET Awards Moments you may not have seen on television.