2016 BET Awards Red Carpet: Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae, Gabrielle Union and More
Alicia Keys wearing a black jumpsuit and headscarf
Alicia Keys, who recently wrote an essay for Lenny Letter about the pressures of perfection and why she’s choosing to go makeup-free, did exactly that on the BET Awards red carpet — and looked amazing totally fresh-faced. Wearing a black silk jumpsuit with a gray headscarf, she accessorized with hoop earrings and chain belt. (Photo: Getty Images)
Janelle Monae in Sass & Bide
While Janelle Monae only wears black and white, she always manages to wear something cool and different despite her limited color palate. For the 2016 BET Awards, she selected a striped sequin suit from Sass & Bide. She accessorized with a wide-brimmed hat, gold choker, oversized hoop earrings, and purple rings to honor Prince. (Photo: Getty Images)
Samuel L. Jackson in a blue suit
Receiving the lifetime achievement award, the Snakes on a Plane actor suited up for the occasion. (Photo: Getty Images)
Gabrielle Union in Marc Jacobs
Debuting a new Sengalese braids aka twisted braids hairstyle that set Twitter on fire, Gabrielle Union looked so hot in in a one-shoulder red dress with a white fan pattern. (Photo: Getty Images)
Jesse Williams in a black suit with white details
Receiving the Humanitarian Award, the Grey’s Anatomy actor dressed in a black suit with white piping. "Jesse has proven to be a true pioneer of our generation,“ BET said in a statement. ”[He] is a refreshing new face of activism during a time of crisis in this country.“ (Photo: Getty Images)
Taraji P. Henson in a black leotard with a sheer skirt
Now that’s how you do 45. The actress looked amazing in a strapless leotard with a sheer black skirt embellished with sequins. (Photo: Getty Images)
Spike Lee in a blue suit with purple accessories honoring Prince
Spike Lee, who gave Samuel L. Jackson his Lifetime Achievement Award, dressed to honor Prince in purple and yellow sneakers, purple tie, Prince symbol pin, and a top hat. Many compared the director’s honorific look to Willy Wonka. (Photo: Getty Images)
Jennifer Hudson performing her Prince tribute in a hooded look from Christian Siriano
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Beyoncé performing “Freedom” with Kendrick Lamar in a custom Julien McDonald bodysuit
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Tracee Ellis Ross wearing a snake skin dress
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Yara Shahidi wearing a rainbow sequin dress
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Regina Hall in a black gown with cutouts and sheer panels
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Remy Ma in a revealing white gown
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French Montana wearing a dhoti-like white shirt
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Quvenzhane Wallis in a turquoise dress with white accessories
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Andra Day wearing a tangerine sequin midi dress with floral details
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2 Chainz wearing a Gucci denim jacket straight off the runway
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Bryshere Y. Gray in black trousers and a white tuxedo jacket
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Aja Naomi King in a ruffled turquoise dress with gold heels
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Fantasia wearing a nude gown with gold embellishments
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Mayte Garcia, Prince’s ex-wife, wearing a sheer black dress with red flowers
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Jermaine Dupri in a red sequin bomber jacket and white jeans
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Fat Joe in a snake skin print bomber jacket and sweatpants
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DJ Khaled in a navy blue patterned tuxedo jacket and Gucci loafers
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Meagan Good in an emerald green gown with cutouts
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Mya in Christian Siriano
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EJ Johnson in a sheer jumpsuit with a fringe belt
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Naturi Naughton in Nina Ricci
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Karreuche Tran wearing a button down dress with a gold choker and spiked heels
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Tia Mowry in a mini dress with fringe embellishments
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Beyoncé’s protégés Chloe and Halle in coordinating fashion-forward looks
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Loni Love wearing a leopard print maxi dress
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Yvette Nicole Brown in a printed maxi skirt and black top
(Photo: Getty Images)
BET promised a special awards show — and the stars definitely delivered. With the night opening with Beyoncé sending a crew of dancers walking in perfect formation down the red carpet to signal her impending arrival, the guests only got more glam from there. Host Tracee Ellis Ross looked amazing in a tight snake skin sheath, Janelle Monae rocked her signature black and white, Karreuche Tran killed it in a leather dress, and more.
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