BET Awards 2025: Where to Watch, Hosts, Performers & Winners

BET Awards 2025 Red Carpet Highlights 25th Anniversary Celebration

BET Awards 2025: Where to Watch, Hosts, Performers & Winners Breakdown

Okay, y’all BET Awards 2025 was wild. I’m still feeling the energy from last night at LA’s Peacock Theater. Hosted by Kevin Hart, this year was extra special it's the 25th anniversary so it felt like a full-on celebration of Black culture. Soldiers, artists, activists, even Olympic athletes took the spotlight.

here to Watch BET Awards 2025 (Live Streams & TV)

This year’s coverage was everywhere:

• Live on TV: BET, MTV, VH1, Paramount Network, Nickelodeon

• Streaming: Hulu + Live TV, Sling, Philo, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and BET+ (with a 24-hour free pass)

Pro tip: Red carpet kicked off at 6 PM ET, while the main show ran at 8 PM ET. If you hadn’t set a reminder, you might’ve missed Kevin Hart cracking jokes seconds before Teyana Taylor took the stage.

Host Deep Dive: Kevin Hart at the 25th BET Awards

I swear, Kevin Hart felt like he was talking to every single person in the audience. He was charming, self-deprecating, and sprinkled in pop culture memes that hit just right. BET Awards 2025 wouldn’t have been the same without his humor and heart .

Red Carpet Glamor: Fashion Moments 

Before the show, the BET Awards 2025 red carpet went full glam:

• GloRilla stunned in a lace-up bustier

• Doechii rocked a floral Miu Miu set

• Ciara paired a fringe skirt with an Atlanta Braves cap

• Keke Palmer wore a tulle ballgown mini

• Ashanti nailed a plunging dress + glam vibes 

Personally, Doechii’s outfits stole the spotlight again bold, daring, stunning. Not just fashion, but a statement.

Performers That Set the Stage on Fire

BET knows how to blend the legends with the new:

• Lil Wayne dropped a mash-up of “A Milli” and “King Carter”

• Teyana Taylor delivered emotional energy

• GloRilla, Playboi Carti, Leon Thomas (with “MUTT”) all brought the heat

• Ledisi, Honey Bxby, Ying Yang Twins, and the 106 & Park reunion thrown in for nostalgia 

If you love that mix of old and new, this was the cultural payoff we needed.

Winners & Nominations: Who Took Home What

Kendrick Lamar led with 10 nominations and WALKED away with Album of the Year for “GNX” .

Doechii earned Best Female Hip Hop Artist, using her speech to speak up on immigration and protest crackdowns .

SZA claimed Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, while Chris Brown snagged the Viewer’s Choice Award with “Residuals” .

Leon Thomas (Best New Artist) and Summer Walker (BET Her“Heart of a Woman”) also lit it up.

kevin hart

Ultimate Icon Winners

This year celebrated lasting legends:

• Mariah Carey

• Snoop Dogg

• Kirk Franklin

• Jamie Foxx who delivered a tear-jerking acceptance speech about his 2023 stroke, promising to live life fully.

That performance tribute with Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, and Ludacris? Felt like a communal hug to the soul.

Athletes Too? Yep, BET Honors Sports Legends

Sports stars SHINED:

• Simone Biles Sportswoman of the Year

• Jalen Hurts Sportsman of the Year

• Others like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and CO were nominated 

BET Awards 2025 wasn’t “just music” it honored athletic excellence as American excellence.

Standout Speech: Doechii’s Brave Moment

When Doechii took the stage, she didn’t just accept she spoke with intention.

She called out immigration raids and protest crackdowns, reminding us that art and activism still go hand in hand.

That moment wasn’t just powerful it was a reminder of BET’s mission.

Why BET Awards 2025 Still Matters

It’s not a show it’s a cultural movement.

• 25 years of celebrating Black voices across music, film, TV, sports, fashion

• Merged legends and next-gen stars

• Spread powerful messages on important social issues

BET Awards 2025 was entertainment, yes but also unity and respect.

Quick Winners Table

Category	Winner
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist	SZA
Best Male Hip Hop Artist	Kendrick Lamar
Best New Artist	Tyla

Conclusion

BET Awards 2025 wasn’t just hype it was a homecoming. From Kevin Hart’s humor to the 106 & Park nostalgia, from Doechii’s brave speech to Jamie Foxx’s emotional acceptance it felt real. This wasn’t just a show. It was a movement in motion.

What moment hit you hardest? Share yours in the comments and let's keep the conversation alive. And hey if you loved this breakdown, hit follow for more real-talk entertainment coverage.

External Links

• Houston Chronicle athlete nominations ctinsider.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1

• AP News piece on Doechii’s speech ew.com+10apnews.com+10ctinsider.co  

 References 

• Houston Chronicle — Sports nominations: Jalen Hurts, Simone Biles

• Entertainment Weekly — Winners list

• Connecticut Insider — Where to watch