If you watched the BET Awards 2024 on Sunday night, then you likely saw as host, Taraji P. Henson confused influencer Jordan Howlett with food critic Keith Lee during an on-air segment that has now gone viral.
During the segment, Henson gave people flowers to celebrate them and spoke to Howlett believing he was Lee. Howlett who is a YouTube personality, laughed and pointed to Lee, leading Henson to say “I’m so sorry!” and that she “got caught up in her own inner monologue.” Lee ultimately accepted the flower the actress gave him.
Taraji P Henson mistakes Jordan Howlett and Keith Lee
this is so bad #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/uVqEW9dLHH
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) July 1, 2024
However, following the show, Keith Lee posted a TikTok, showing himself dropping the rose to the floor. He later took to social media to explain why he shared the video and his thoughts on the awkward on-air moment.
Lee captioned the video:
“Our name will be known in every room it’s supposed to be, when it’s supposed to be, how it’s supposed, with no confusion. God is amazing.” He issued a follow-up video on Monday. “I am not upset at Taraji P. Henson by any stretch of the imagination. And not only that, in my opinion, she smoked it last night.”
He continued explaining that he has no ill feelings toward Taraji for the mishap.
“The reason I did this had nothing to do with Taraji P. Henson. The reason I did this is that I wholeheartedly believe it wasn’t my rose, it wasn’t my moment. It was given to me, but it wasn’t mine,” he continued. “I always say, I don’t want nothing that wasn’t mine. I am forever thankful for every room that I’m in. I was more than thankful and more than grateful to just sit there and enjoy the show.”
Taraji got wind of the now-deleted TikTok and followed up on social media addressing Keith Lee.
“He wasn’t in his seat. They give celebrity assigned seats! I rehearsed all damn day to go hit my mark and that young man wasn’t in his seat so HE MISSED HIS MOMENT! His ego is hurt. He will be fine. I cleaned it up at the end of the show. No love lost here. #GODBLESS.”
