BET blames 'an audio malfunction' after portions of Usher's speech when he accepted Lifetime Achievement Award was muted during the live television broadcast.
- Jul 2, 2024
AceShowbiz - BET has issued an apology to Usher for muting portions of his Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 30.
"Due to an audio malfunction during the LIVE telecast, portions of his speech were inadvertently muted," said a BET spokesperson in a statement.
"Celebrating global icon Usher on our stage with a star-studded tribute and having him accept his award with a heartfelt speech was an honor. We extend our sincere apologies to Usher as we couldn't be more grateful for his participation in Culture's Biggest Night."
Despite the technical difficulty, Usher delivered an emotional 13-minute speech, touching on his journey and his appreciation for those who have supported him throughout his career. He questioned whether it was too early for him to receive the award, as he is still "running and gunning" at the age of 45.
Usher also shared personal experiences, discussing his relationship with his late father and the importance of forgiveness. "My father, he was a product of that," Usher said. "He made a lot of decisions. He made a lot of choices, and one that probably hurt and helped me at the same time was to stay away."
BET has shared Usher's full speech across social media platforms, noting that some of the profanity is still censored. The network praised Usher's "unfiltered" approach, saying that he is "Unfiltered & Motivated While Accepting His Lifetime Achievement Award."
Usher's acceptance was preceded by a star-studded tribute featuring artists such as Childish Gambino (Donald Glover), Keke Palmer, and Teyana Taylor. The performances showcased Usher's influence and his impact on the music industry.
