In her opening performance, the 53-year-old actress donned a similar red hoodie, hat, and jeans outfit to that of the Pulitzer Prize-winning recording artist at the Juneteenth celebration event presented by Prime Video at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. In her rap, Taraji P. Henson talked about passing on scripts, her accolades, and actresses being unappreciated to an all-star audience. 

Over the Mustard-production, she raps, “Hey, Taraji on the beat, ho / Yo, Deebo any execute being cheap / Yo, film down, call the ambulance / Sinking sales low / Mediocre films disappear like TiVo / What’s up with these jabronis not trying to pay women / This industry been hatin’ on us since the beginning / How many we gotta steal to stay winnin’? / I’m finna pass on a script cause it’s not given…”

In December 2023, Taraji P. Henson made headlines for speaking out against pay inequality for Black actresses. Oprah Winfrey, the executive producer of The Color Purple, and Henson were rumored to have a feud over her comments after she spoke out.  

Since its release in May, “Not Like Us” has accomplished many accolades. Lamar performed the track five times in a row at the Ken & Friends: The Pop-Out, which helped the concert become the most-watched content ever on Prime Video. Last week, Lamar shot a video for the diss track in his hometown of Compton, California.

Other BET Awards 2024 highlights included performances by Will Smith, Megan Thee Stallion, Sexyy Red, and the Lifetime Achievement award honored to Usher. The legendary entertainer received a tribute featuring Childish Gambino, Keke Palmer, Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Chloe Bailey, Marsha Ambrosius, and more.

Russell Simmons shared a video via Instagram and revealed that the actress came to visit him in Bali. “People when u have friends like this, you are truly blessed!!!!” Simmons captions the post.

“Everyone comes to Gdas for healing, some people exude healing energy You @tarajiphenson are one of those You make everyone happy just with your presence love you baby girl.. Glad you are back home safe now but already you are missed until we meet again darling only love ps you mean so much to so many people keep inspiring us all !!!”

The post sparked a lot of backlash and mixed reactions, “let’s not forget why he outta the country and has no plans on coming back. Taraji lost me when she was on the staged fake ssa phone call with the CURRENT VP talking about being in these streets..” read one comment.

“Absolutely Beautiful tribute for a wonderful friendship Let’s continue to give each other flowers..” read another, in support of the link up.

Taraji P. Henson Speaks:

We previously reported that while promoting the movie “The Color Purple”, Henson got emotional as she discussed pay she’s received for some roles she’s done in the past.

“I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost,” Henson began. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ Well, I have to. The math ain’t math-ing. When you start working a lot, you have a team. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. It’s a whole team behind us. They have to get paid.”

“I’m only human,” she continued. “Every time I do something and break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate, I’m at the bottom again like I never did what I just did and I’m tired. I’m tired. It wears on you. What does that mean? What is that telling me?”

As she announced GloRilla‘s performance, the 53-year-old actress spoke to the audience and viewers worldwide about why being involved in the 2024 election is so important. She addressed a new law that allows authorities to crack down on homeless camping and alluded to the authenticity of the Republican party’s plans called “Project 2025.”

“Time for us to play chess, not checkers,” said Henson. “It’s about making decisions that will affect us as human beings. Our careers, our next generations to come. Did you know that it is now a crime to be homeless? Pay attention. It’s not a secret. Look it up. They are attacking our most vulnerable citizens. The Project 2025 plan is not a game. Look it up.”

On Friday (June 28), the Supreme Court ruled on a new law that allows cities nationwide to clear homeless encampments. In City Of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, a majority ruled in favor of Oregon City, ticketing homeless people for sleeping outside, rejecting arguments that such “anti-camping” ordinances violate the Constitution’s ban against “cruel and unusual punishment.” There would be mixed reactions to the new law across the country.

“Project 2025,” as Taraji P. Henson called it, is a collection of policy transition proposals that outline how former President Donald Trump, if elected, could radically reshape the federal government to carry out his extremist far-right agenda. If he is elected this November, a 920-page document outlines the former president’s plans for the next term, including policies, immigration measures, and educational proposals.

Trump and President Joe Biden held a live debate on CNN last Thursday (June 27), drawing in 51.27 million viewers. The two candidates argued the Russia-Ukrainian War, the U.S. border, and their golf swings. The debate would receive mixed reviews and make headlines across the country. 

Taraji P. Henson has been very vocal about a few topics recently. Last December, the actress went viral for speaking out about the pay inequality in the film industry. She gave a performance at this year’s BET Awards that addressed this issue, performing Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” titled “It’s About Us.”

She reflected on mean comments she’s received and shared her experience recording Trouble in Paradise in St. Lucia, where she felt happier. Chlöe also opened up about her godmother’s feedback on her music and the pressure she felt while performing tributes to Usher, Missy Elliott, and Aaliyah.

In the interview, Chlöe discussed relationships, including a past situation where someone cheated on her but left no bad blood. She shared thoughts on dating, including whether she’s okay dating someone who earns less, and the importance of her godmother’s approval.

Chlöe also talked about Jon B’s reaction to her song with Gunna that samples, “They Don’t Know”, her bond with her sister, Halle Bailey’s son and how she handles babysitting.

Finally, she revealed the three songs she’d give someone to know her better and how she’d react to a someone pushing Halo at the playground.

Stream her new series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” now on Peacock and her album “Trouble in Paradise” on all streaming platforms.

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Henson also applauded Megan for keeping her head up while batting with adversity. “She has been able to withstand all of the adversity and rise above it. She’s incredible.” The actress continued: “I love you Megan, and I’m so proud of you. That’s my baby girl, by the way.” Henson told the outlet that she’s a “girl’s girl,” and sees herself as an “auntie.” She added, “Anything women are doing, I’m there. I’m the cheerleader. I’m the loudest one in the front cheering them on, and that’s what you should be as an elder.”

2024 Belongs To Megan Thee Stallion

On June 28, Megan Thee Stallion released her third studio album, MEGAN. Spanning 18 tracks, the rapper offers a fiery dish of Southern hospitality. The album boasts features from UGK, GloRIlla, Victoria Monet, and more. During an interview in May, the rapper revealed that her album focused on a “rebirth” and the shedding of her past woes.“We don’t just stop at the snake. This is just what everybody sees right now,” she said.

She adds, “Renewal and rebirth are the album’s concept.” Megan noted that the project’s inspiration comes from her love of reptiles. “We started with the snake because, first of all, I love snakes, but I feel like snakes are so misunderstood, especially in western culture.” The rapper continues: “Snakes represent rebirth, spirituality. I’m not really a person that’s like, ‘Oh my God, sunshine and just super bubbly, happy.’”

We previously reported that actress Taraji P. Henson took a trip to Bali to visit Simmons. He shared a video via Instagram of the two and captioned it “people when u have friends like this, you are truly blessed!!!!”

The post continued: “Everyone comes to Gdas for healing, some people exude healing energy You @tarajiphenson are one of those You make everyone happy just with your presence love you baby girl.. Glad you are back home safe now but already you are missed until we meet again darling only love ps you mean so much to so many people keep inspiring us all !!!”

Russell Simmons Speaks:

Following the visit, Henson faced online backlash. “Let’s not forget why he outta the country and has no plans on coming back” commented one Instagram user.

In response to the backlash- Simmons declares his innocence against the allegations made against him. “Still today, I have never spoken to a policeman about anything,” he stated. “I have never spoken to a judge, civil or criminal, about anything. From what I can tell Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and President Trump all have more credible claims against them that I do.” 

“Again, I’ve never been charged,” he said. He then explains that he “took nine lie detector tests, seven of which from the Chairman of the Polygraph Association.”

“Knock it off,” Simmons continued. “I love you, I just don’t want my friends attacked and I wish you all the best. But just leave my friends alone. Don’t attack my friends for visiting me.”

While BET Awards host, Henson, was giving people their “flowers” she had quite the mix-up.

As she made her way through the crowd, she stopped at popular TikToker’s Jordan Howlett and Keith Lee. She jokingly calls Howlett a “method Man look-alike,” and asked, “Meth is married — are you?” while speaking to Howlett whom she confused with Keith Lee. “Mr. Keith Lee, I know what you’re thinking right now, this is about a 10.9 outta 10?”

Howlett quickly pointed out that he wasn’t Lee- in which Henson responded with, “I got caught up in my own inner monologue, I’m so sorry.” She then joked that Lee was “fine, too.” 

Keith Lee seemingly reacted to the now viral mix-up in a since deleted post. “Our name will be known in every room it’s supposed to be in, when it’s supposed to be, how it’s supposed to be, with no confusion. God is amazing. [prayer emoji] Thankful,” he captioned a clip of him tossing the rose Henson handed him on the ground.

Lee is a former MMA fighter turned food critic. He has gained over 16 million followers on TikTok and helped hundreds of restaurants across the world with his food reviews. He and wife, Ronni Lee, share two children together. Both Lee and his wife were seen together at the 2024 BET Awards.

He shared an updated video via TikTok expressing that he is not upset with Henson for the mix-up.

While promoting new movie “The Color Purple”, Taraji P. Henson gets emotional as she discussed unfair pay.  “I’m just tired of working so hard, being gracious at what I do [and] getting paid a fraction of the cost,” Henson began. “I’m tired of hearing my sisters say the same thing over and over. You get tired. I hear people go, ‘You work a lot.’ Well, I have to. The math ain’t math-ing. When you start working a lot, you have a team. Big bills come with what we do. We don’t do this alone. It’s a whole team behind us. They have to get paid.”

“I’m only human,” she continued. “Every time I do something and break another glass ceiling, when it’s time to renegotiate, I’m at the bottom again like I never did what I just did and I’m tired. I’m tired. It wears on you. What does that mean? What is that telling me?”

TMZ caught up with fellow actress Vivica A. Fox and asked her her thoughts on Taraji’s previous comments. She then expressed, “you know, darling, to each its own, do you know what I mean? I’m very happy, very blessed and to each its own. I didn’t have that experience, so to each its own. But to get your piece out is important, I totally understand that, and I love my girls for looking out for each other, but I’m good,” Vivica responded.

During a recent interview with BBC 1xtra’s Nadia Jae, the actress revealed how she felt about Lola Brooke after she was named-dropped in one of the Brooklyn rapper’s hit “You” featuring Bryson Tiller.  “I was just scrolling and, you know, I’m a hip-hop head and I love female MCs and I always post them,” Henson began. “I knew about Lola because I’ve seen the award ceremonies. I love the song. And I love her voice; it’s nostalgic for me. She reminds me of the female MCs back in the day – Lil Kim, Foxy Brown. She has that tone. And I was like, ‘Who is like young girl?’

She continued, “So I’ve been watching her and then she dropped that song and I was scrolling and I was like, ‘Wait! What did she say?!’ And she didn’t say Yvette, she said my name! And so I reposted it and she reached out to me in the DM and she was like, ‘Oh wow, oh my God. You’re so iconic. This means so much to me!’ I said, ‘Baby girl, just keep doing it. I got you. I’m a fan!’” Check out the clip below.