LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ BET Networks) - BET Networks, a unit of Viacom, today announced the nominees, host and recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian honors for their signature awards show - The BET Awards '07. As cable television's number 1 awards show, BET AWARDS '07 is raising the stakes and promises to be the hottest show on television for the seventh year running. BET is making history again as the biggest stars in music, sports and entertainment converge on Los Angeles for a night of fabulous performances and unforgettable surprises on June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/7 CT (tape delayed to the MDT and PDT time zones) live from the historic Shrine Auditorium.
BET will recognize the achievements of artists, entertainers and athletes in 14 categories. R&B queen Beyonce, fresh off the success of her latest CD "B-Day" and the award-winning film "Dreamgirls," leads the pack with six nominations. Beyonce is up for Best Female R&B Artist; Best Collaboration for duets with Jay-Z on "Deja vu" and "Upgrade U"; Video of the Year for "Irreplaceable" as well as her sultry turn with Shakira on "Beautiful Liar"; and in the Viewer's Choice Award category.
Among the other multiple nominees with three each are: Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, the break-out star of "Dreamgirls"; R&B singing sensation Ciara; Hip Hop balladeer Akon; and the soulful duo Gnarls Barkley.
New kid on the block Robin Thicke, scored his first pair of BET AWARDS nods for best R&B Artist and Viewer's Choice for his chart-topping hit "Lost Without You." Other two-fers include Ludacris, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, the late Gerald Levert, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Mary, Mary and Corrine Bailey Rae.
Hosting the show for the third time is the hilarious comedienne, actor and author Mo'Nique, who kicked things off last time around with a show-stopping rendition of Beyonce's "Crazy In Love," which was voted the number one moment of any BET AWARDS show and one of TV Guide Channel's Greatest Moments of the year (2004).
In keeping with the history-making track record of the most highly- anticipated night in Black entertainment, BET is pulling out all of the stops in naming this year's special honorees. The legendary songstress, the original Boss - Diana Ross - will be in the house to receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining the former First Lady of Motown is award-winning actor and activist Don Cheadle, who will be honored with BET's Humanitarian Award for his efforts to bring an end to the genocide in Darfur.
"Diana Ross' impact on the cultural landscape is almost impossible to measure. Her achievements as an artist extend across the medium and decades. Don Cheadle is one of the best actors today - period. He uses the credibility he's built with the audiences to call attention to one of the most pressing global crisis in the world today. We're grateful for his art and his heart," said Reginald Hudlin, President of Entertainment, BET Networks.
In past years, audiences have seen unforgettable moments such as Michael Jackson's surprise appearance during James Brown's tribute; Rick James in his final duet with Teena Marie; Will Smith presenting Muhammad Ali with the first-ever Humanitarian Award; Prince onstage backing Chaka Khan; Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams and India.Arie in a powerhouse tribute to Rufus' first lady of funk; Destiny's Child's steamy lap dance; and the reunion of one of hip hop's most beloved trios, The Fugees, to name a few. This year, temperatures will continue to rise with sizzling performances by 50 Cent, T.I. and others.
"We're looking to make the BET AWARDS '07 an experience available across all of our platforms. We're involving the viewers in new ways - from selecting 50 Cent's performance song, to giving viewers the ability to upload video that may actually appear on the show live. The BET AWARDS '07 has always belonged to the audience, but this year we're making it their show," said Stephen Hill, Executive Vice President for Music Programming and Talent as well as Executive Producer for the BET Awards.
Additionally, the BET online audience will have the opportunity to be a vital part of the show as virtual members of the BET AWARDS '07 MAIN EVENT voting academy, by logging onto https://www.bet.com or texting their selections via their cell phones to vote for their favorite performer in the Viewers' Choice Award category. The actual voting takes place before and during the telecast.
Viewers at home can also upload and enter videos on BET.com that will be used as introductions for categories in the awards show. Through it's "You Style" feature, BET.com will give users the opportunity to vote for the outfits that Terrence and Rocsi will wear on stage to present the Viewer's Choice Award. If the viewers want them walking out in style, they have to vote!
Other interactive features for Internet and cell phone users include mobile paparazzi, real-time alerts and BET AWARDS Q&A where users can email or text questions for the host to ask during the black carpet BET AWARDS post show.
