Tyler Perry threw some delicate shade in the direction of Hollywood studios on the 2025 BET Awards.
Earlier than Ledisi took the stage to carry out “BLKWMN,” the Sistas creator took time to share a brief story about himself and his son strolling alongside the seaside, when his baby stated to him, “I’m strolling in your footsteps,” to which he responded, “I stated, ‘No, let’s stroll collectively.’ We walked to the tip of the seaside after which he seemed again and he noticed all of the footprints that he had left.”
“I say that to you tonight as a result of I wanna discuss to you about this factor that’s taking place on this nation and I need you to concentrate to it. Don’t miss this,” Perry stated. “They’re eradicating our books from libraries, they’re eradicating our tales and our historical past, they’re eradicating our names from authorities buildings. It’s as if somebody needs to erase our footprints.”
The mogul added, “However the reality of the matter, it’s not possible to erase our footprints as a result of we left them on water. What I imply by that’s, we have been snatched from our homeland, introduced throughout the ocean and left footprints all the best way to America.”
Perry asserted that “this isn’t the time to be silent, this isn’t the time to surrender — that is the time to dig in and hold leaving footprints in every single place you go.” The Madea’s Household Reunion author then referred to as out studios in Los Angeles.
“I can inform you this, I’ve made extra Black billionaires, hear me once I say this, than any studio on this metropolis mixed,” he stated. “As a result of I’m making footprints. So I don’t care should you’re struggling, should you’re making an attempt to make it, you’re making an attempt to construct a enterprise, when you have a dream, hold making footprints. Don’t let anyone cease you, you are able to do it.”
Earlier in his speech, Perry additionally thanked Black ladies for supporting his work through the years. “I take into consideration my unbelievable viewers who’s lots of males, lots of ladies, however hear me once I inform you this, Black ladies have held me down and I respect you want you wouldn’t imagine,” he added.
Heading into Monday evening, Kendrick Lamar topped the nomination record with 10 nods, with Doechii, Future, GloRilla, Future and Drake following shut behind with six noms every. The “Yeah Glo!” rapper, too, served as one of many evening’s performers alongside Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, Playboi Carti and Leon Thomas.
Kevin Hart hosted the 2025 BET Awards on the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. On Sunday, a BET spokesperson confirmed that the ceremony would go forward as deliberate regardless of the continuing protests in opposition to illegal immigration raids in L.A.