BET Awards 2025: The Queens of the BET Awards – Who Really Runs This Show?
The BET Awards have always been a celebration of Black excellence, but let’s be real—it’s the women who’ve carried the mic, the monologues, and the momentum. Whether it’s through comedy, elegance, wigs, or walkouts, the ladies who’ve hosted, performed, or been honored on the BET stage have defined the energy of the show.
Sure, the men have had their moments (we see you, Jamie Foxx), but hosting the BET Awards isn’t just a gig—it’s a performance art. And when it comes to hosting, commanding the room, and leaving a cultural footprint, these four women deserve their own awards:
Mo’Nique. Taraji. Regina. Latifah. Let’s break down their reigns, their receipts, and who really runs this show.
🎤 Mo’Nique: The Original Host Queen
Years active: 2003, 2004, 2007
Vibe: Auntie who brought her flats, her fire, and her “don’t play with me” energyBefore hosting was a fashion show or a musical production, Mo’Nique made it a moment. Her parody of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” in 2004—with backup dancers, struts, and a confident belly roll—remains one of the most beloved BET Awards openings ever.
She didn’t just read jokes—she performed. Mo’Nique brought a club-hostess-meets-comedy-legend style that made the BET Awards feel like a Sunday night at your Blackest family reunion. And she did it before the industry really gave her her due.
Legacy: Loud. Legendary. Forever the first.
👠 Taraji P. Henson: The Hosting Chameleon
Years active: 2021, 2022, 2024
Vibe: Style icon, scene stealer, wig-switcher, motherBy the time Taraji hosted in 2021, she wasn’t just a beloved actress—she was a cultural staple. Her opening monologues hit. Her fashion changes (we’re talking 8–10 wigs per show) kept the timeline fed. She gave skits, shade, serious commentary, and Black auntie humor all in one breath.
What makes Taraji special is her range. One minute she’s referencing Miseducation-era Lauryn Hill. The next, she’s rocking a disco jumpsuit and twerking on beat. She's a one-woman variety show, and the BET stage is her playground.
Legacy: No one has hosted with more fun. Taraji runs the wig Olympics—and never fumbles.
🎭 Regina Hall: The Cultural Choreographer
Year active: 2019
Vibe: DMV queen, comedic timing assassin, fashion-forward elder cousinRegina’s 2019 hosting stint proved what many of us already knew—she’s funny as hell. But what stood out was the creativity. Her “Homecoming” Beyoncé parody was smart, hilarious, and hometown-proud. From dancing in a marching band uniform to dragging the Grammys with a smile, Regina made her one hosting year feel like five.
She didn’t just ride the wave—she made it. Smart skits. Subtle shade. Big heart. And always representing D.C. like it’s her middle name.
Legacy: Underrated but unforgettable. If hosting was ranked like verses, Regina dropped a sleeper classic.
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👑 Queen Latifah: The Blueprint & the Balance
Years active: 2010 host, 2021 Lifetime Achievement honoree
Vibe: Regal, rooted, revolutionaryQueen Latifah was never loud on stage—but her presence was undeniable. As a host in 2010, she gave poise, range, and the ability to switch between comedy and commentary with ease. By the time she received her Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, it felt overdue.
She used her stage time to shout out Pride Month, uplift women, and remind the world that she’d been making space for others since the early ’90s. Latifah may not be the flashiest host—but she’s the most grounded.
Legacy: Royal. Revolutionary. Always above the noise.
💬 So… Who Runs It?
Let’s call it like it is:
Mo’Nique was the first to make BET hosting theatrical.
Taraji made it feel like a homecoming queen was running the night.
Regina brought surprise creativity and smart satire.
Latifah reminded us what regal representation looks like.
But if we’re choosing one? Taraji P. Henson is the current Queen of the BET Awards. Three hosting stints. No flops. And a glam-to-goofball ratio that’s unmatched.
Whether they’re switching wigs, spoofing Beyoncé, or giving heartfelt speeches, these women didn’t just host the BET Awards—they helped shape it. Long live the queens who run the culture’s biggest night.
Watch the BET Awards 2025 on June 9th at 8 PM on BET.
