Sam Smith wins BET's best new artist, wasn't there 'because he's white and he didn't think he would win'
The Black Entertainment Television (BET) awards were Sunday night, and among the many accolades handed out was "best new artist," awarded to British blue-eyed soul singer Sam Smith. He wasn't there to accept the award, and actor Anthony Anderson, who accepted it on his behalf, explained why: "Sam Smith isn't here tonight because he's white and he didn't think he would win at the BET Awards." Anderson, who is black, added that Smith was wrong, obviously, and "we showed him that we love him, too."
Other winners included Nicki Minaj for best female hip-hop artist, Kendrick Lamar for best male hip-hop artist, and Chris Brown for best male R&B/pop artist. Smokey Robinson won a lifetime achievement award, and Janet Jackson gave an emotional speech accepting her ultimate icon award. Among all the moving tributes and performances, though, Diddy memorably fell through the stage during a performance celebrating 20 years of Bad Boy Records. Of course it was captured on video, and you can watch below. Peter Weber
The Week
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