What It Was Like At The 2025 BET Awards?
“I only want to go up the steps towards a different level of stardom. The BET Awards was one of those steps” – Kevin Hart
BET Awards Weekend – The weekend where black excellence is celebrated to inspire the future generations of people of color to constantly aim for success far beyond their human imagination. So, when the opportunity to attend the 2025 BET Awards in Los Angeles presented itself to me I couldn’t refuse.
I remember the first time I ever watched the BET Awards. It was 2004. Monique was the host, and she performed the choreography to Beyoncé’s hit Single Ladies with plus-sized models. I mean, Monique shut the room down with that performance and even had Beyoncé on her feet in shock.
Then, it got even better in 2005 when Will and Jada Smith hosted with memorable performances from Missy Elliot, Fatman Scoop, and Ciara with Lose Control, and Ciara and Ludacris with Oh. So, to think I could possibly be in the same room with these people was never on my mind until my mentor made me believe that it was possible as a seat-filler.
I mean, I’d heard of the term seat-filler before, but it was years ago when I was listening to a motivational video by Tyrese. At the time it just seemed too far out of reach. I was broke and still living in my parent’s basement with no job and a college degree. But, this time, I was ready. So, if you don’t believe the saying “success occurs when opportunity meets preparation” – start believing it.
When I accepted the opportunity, I roughly had about two weeks to prepare. Luckily, I’d managed to accrue some vacation since returning back to work from my fibroid surgery and if there was one thing my surgery and fibroids taught me, it was that you have to live boldly.
I immediately went into action. I had five days of vacation to spend. The events for BET were from June 6th-9th so I booked a flight and hotel for June 5th since my mentor decided to arrive on June 6th and booked the hotel from June 6th-9th. This was a good arrangement because I really wanted to fully relax and mentally prepare for tomorrow.
A few days before my flight, my mentor notified me that she changed her flight and will also arrive on June 5th. Cool. I immediately canceled my hotel in hopes of getting a refund.
Negative!!! No refund allowed. Shoot! Fine. No worries. Fast forward, it’s 3am on June 5th, my flight is at 7am and I still had to wash clothes and pack. Luckily, I got to the airport an hour before my flight time.
After 8 hours, I finally landed in Los Angeles and can you say June Gloom. It was cold! I was so upset because I’d bought a swimsuit intending to spend the day on the beach. (I’m so irritated). Anyways. I get an Uber to the hotel and can you say EXPENSIVE. PLEASE RENT A CAR!
I arrived at the hotel, but I couldn’t check in. (What?!) Although my name was added to the reservation, my mentor had to be present to get access to the room. However, she wasn’t set to arrive for another 7 hours! (OMG. What do I do now?)
Think. Gia think.
Okay. I’d remembered a YouTube video I watched by Makayla Lysiak at the Academy Awards Museum and an IG pic of actress Madelyn Cline from Outer Banks at In N Out Burger. So, off the museum I went and I’m so glad I did.
Let me just say, the Academy Awards Museum is amazing (definitely check it out). P.S. Just know when you go to an In N Out Burger be prepared for security to be on edge because of all the tourists coming in just to take pictures of the staff for their social media. (Crazy!)
After that it was close to 7pm. I decided to head back to the hotel, but my mentor still hadn’t arrived. Luckily, the women at the front desk were so nice and allowed me to check in (Thank goodness) and before I knew it, I was knocked out.
June 6th – The 2025 Waymaker Men’s Summit
My mentor and I wake up and head to the 2025 Waymaker Men’s Summit. I’m so nervous because I was afraid that we’d be the very few women there and I’m so glad I was wrong. We get there a bit late and the summit but, we still managed to make the best of it. We met up with a celebrity publicist and suddenly I noticed who I thought was actor, Sylvester Powell from All American: Homecoming.
But it wasn’t him, it was actually actor, Joshua David Neal from One of Them Days and he was so nice. I was planning to have a premiere for my short film, Blind Justice in Los Angeles in October so I figured why not ask if he’d like to attend. It would probably be a long shot but who knows when I’d see him again or what he’d say. So, I deliver him my pitch, and the hook actually took him by surprise. (Yes!) I made an impression, and I did the same with many others.
Tip: Always have the updated iPhone or Samsung to take good pictures. I didn’t have it, and it was embarrassing!
June 7th – The Celebrity Basketball Game!
This experience was actually surreal. My mentor and I walked into a small gymnasium in the Los Angeles Convention Center. We find some space on a set of bleachers on one side of the room. Suddenly, our attention was shaken when we heard a few young girls shouting at the top of their lungs.
They spotted comedian DC Young Fly on the basketball court. (Oh shoot!). I didn’t even realize the players on the court were celebrities. My focus was primarily on making sure we got good seats.
Then I noticed other celebrities such as Devon Franklin, Mario, Rome Flynn etc. also on the court warming-up. Soon enough, the pre-game begins. Then, more chaos erupts. Lonzo and Liangelo Ball walk into the room, then Bow Wow along with many others. When I say these young girls can SCREAM! Beyoncé’s vocals would not be able to compete. (LOL). Then, the main game begins, and I must say it was a sight to behold.
June 9th – The BET Awards
My mentor and I arrived at the Peacock Theatre. We signed in and headed into a huge conference room where hundreds of other seat-fillers waited. I’m thinking, will we all be able to fit in the room? About an hour later, we headed out to the main showroom and had to stand in the hallway for a short while because it was complete chaos. I didn’t mind it – I actually found it fascinating because it really is true – celebrities are much prettier in person.
We saw Erica Mena (so happy and positive in real life), Druski (so hilarious), Keke Palmer and freakin’ Ciara (what??). Then, there was Cam Newton and his pretty pregnant girlfriend, Tank and Kirk Franklin. Finally, we got into the main showroom to take our seats.
I couldn’t believe I was sitting two rows behind internet reality star Britney Renner and a few feet away from T.I. Let me not forget to mention being so close to the stage and feeling the intense vibrations of the speakers during GloRilla’s and Teyanna Taylor’s (so cool) performances.
But the best part of the entire experience was getting to see the talented Jamie Fox finally receive his well-deserved flowers. Tears from his speech were inevitable.
Now, it’s time to catch our flights. But, there was a problem. The riots! I was so scared. Our Ubers couldn’t get to us because the rioters were everywhere – going from street to street. Luckily, we made it to the airport just in time. I headed to my flight’s gate and was shocked when I saw NBA player Matt Barnes walk up to the same gate. (No freakin’ way. Him and I are on the same flight). It was humbling to see that he just wanted to be normal. He was just so quiet to himself.
I finally board my flight and head back to the DMV.
Other Posts You May Be Interested In:
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- How To Get Through VFX Challenges In A Short Film?
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