LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ BET Networks) - BET '07 AWARDS is poised for the ultimate battle royale when its all-star lineup with the biggest records of the year go all out at the Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 26. Sparks will be flying throughout the three-hour live telecast, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CDT (tape delayed in the Mountain and Pacific zones) as legends and A- listers crowd the dazzling talent roster.
Newly-added big name celebs scheduled to appear or perform include: mega- star Beyonce', hip-hop mogul Diddy, R&B divas Keyshia Cole, Kelly Rowland, and Alicia Keys, chart-topping ingénue Rihanna, legendary singers Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan, sultry crooners Robin Thicke and Mario, soul maven Erykah Badu, rap stars Nelly and Fabolous, actress Vivica A. Fox, funnyman Charlie Murphy, activist/political leader Al Sharpton, hip hop activist/rapper Chuck D, American Idol Jordin Sparks, writer/director/actor Tyler Perry, movie stars Nick Cannon, Michael Clark Duncan and Henry Simmons, and NFL superstar Reggie Bush.
They join previously announced show talent T.I., 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Ciara, Terrence Howard, Queen Latifah, Yolanda Adams, Tyra Banks, Katt Williams, Big Boi of Outkast and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
This year's show is justifiably being billed as "The Main Event" as the popular Mo'Nique is back to host the telecast for an unprecedented third time. With such a knock-out line up, the stage is set for a telecast that will keep viewers locked from the opening act until the final curtain falls. As always, BET can be counted on to deliver some of television's most memorable moments, including special tributes to the late James Brown and Gerald Levert as well as a not-to-be-missed opening act.
"We've built a brand by having the most dazzling opening performances in all Awards shows," said Stephen Hill, BET AWARDS '07 executive producer and BET EVP of Music Programming and Talent. "This year's open will simply and sensationally stun. Sometimes we tell you what'll stun, like last year's grand opening with Beyonce'. Others we sneak on ya, like 2005's reunion performance from The Fugees. We're choosing 'sneak attack' this year, but trust me: you don't want to get to your TV at 8:02 p.m. ... .. for real."
BET will also honor Diana Ross, the icon of Motown style with BET's Lifetime Achievement Award for her four decade long, accomplished career in popular music. Additionally, beloved and accomplished actor, Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle will receive the BET Humanitarian Award for his efforts in Darfur and fundraising for the African AIDS epidemic.
BET is the only award show that recognizes the achievements of music artists, entertainers and athletes in 14 categories; this year's nods for best-in-class performances go to Beyonce' with six nominations, followed by Jay-Z, Ciara, Jennifer Hudson, Akon and Gnarls Barkley among others.
Encore telecasts of the BET AWARDS '07 are set for: Friday, June 29 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT Sunday, July 1 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Wednesday, July 4 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Friday, July 6 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Sunday, July 8 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; and Saturday, July 14 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT.
