Chris Brown

by Maya Carpenter

If you didn’t see the 2010 BET Awards, you missed a teary-eyed Chris Brown, who performed the best Michael Jackson tribute to date. Brown, who last year pled guilty to a felony assault of ex-girlfriend Rihanna, had been under some major scrutiny until now. Fans watched Brown pour his heart on the stage as he sang “Man in the Mirror.”

Brown was so emotional that he couldn’t finish his performance. Jermaine Jackson, who introduced the singer, was thoroughly impressed and called the performance “spectacular.” Honorees that night were Prince, who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, and John Legend, who was given the Humanitarian Award.

Swizz Beats and Alicia Keys

It seems the celebs are taking a break from the stage to pursue motherhood. Alicia Keys is pregnant, and Mariah Carey is rumored to be. Recently, Carey pulled out of her role in the upcoming Tyler Perry film, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. Carey was set to appear in the movie based on Ntozake Shange’s 1975 Broadway hit. There is speculation that she pulled out because of her pregnancy.

Keys, who is dating music producer Swizz Beatz, has been in the limelight, but not for her music. It’s been reported that Swizz Beats started dating Keys before getting a divorce from singer Mashonda, with whom he has a three-year-old son. Now divorced, Beatz is set to marry Keys in a private ceremony later this year, according to AOL Black Voices.

As the filming for Tyler Perry’s new movie approaches, Perry has a confirmed cast, which doesn’t look half bad. The women include Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, and Macy Gray. Men who have been cast include Hill Harper, Omari Hardwick, Isaiah Mustafa, Richard Lawson, and Khalil Kain. Lionsgate Films will release the film in 2011.

Wendy Williams

To those who love Wendy Williams, it looks like more people will see a lot of her in the future. The media maven’s talk show, which airs on BET, will now be seen in 54 countries, according to AOL Black Voices. Apparently, BET acquired the rights to Williams’ show and it will be on international networks in the United Kingdom, Africa, and the Middle East beginning in July. The reason for this move is because her ratings are high for basic cable network. BET has been seeing good numbers for Williams, whose catch phrase “How you doin?” has become a phenomenon.

BET Award Winners

Best Female R&B Artist
Béyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Alicia Keys *WINNER*
Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Raheem DeVaughn
Maxwell
Trey Songz *WINNER*
Usher

Best Gospel
The Anointed Pace Sisters
Kirk Franklin presents
Artists United For Haiti
Tamela Mann
Marvin Sapp *WINNER*
Vickie Winans

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Ester Dean
Lil Kim
Nicki Minaj *WINNER*
Rasheeda
Trina

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
B.o.B.
Drake *WINNER*
Fabolous
Jay-Z
Ludacris

Best Group
Black Eyed Peas
Clipse
Diddy-Dirty Money
New Boyz
Young Money *WINNER*

Best New Artist
Justin Bieber
Melanie Fiona
Nicki Minaj *WINNER*
Wale
Young Money

Best Collaboration
Béyoncé f/ Lady Gaga – Video Phone
B.o.B. f/ Bruno Mars – Nothin’ On You
Drake & Trey Songz – Successful
Drake f/ Lil Wayne, Kanye West
& Eminem – Forever
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
– Empire State of Mind *WINNER*
Trey Songz f/ Fabolous – Say Aah

Video of the Year
Béyoncé f/ Lady Gaga
– Video Phone *WINNER*
B.o.B. f/ Bruno Mars – Nothin’ On You
Melanie Fiona – It Kills Me
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
– Empire State of Mind
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
– Run This Town

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Gil Green
Anthony Mandler
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams *WINNER*

Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Mo’Nique *WINNER*
Zoe Saldana
Gabourey Sidibe

Best Actor
Quinton Aaron
Don Cheadle
Idris Elba *WINNER*
Jamie Foxx
Denzel Washington