With Beyonce, Jay-Z, star power set for BET Awards

(AP) - Now that Beyonce and Jay-Z have confirmed that they're attending the BET Awards, the next question is: Will Kim Kardashian be on Kanye West's arm?...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

Now that Beyonce and Jay-Z have confirmed that they’re attending the BET Awards, the next question is: Will Kim Kardashian be on Kanye West’s arm?

Kardashian could add to the list of big names attending Sunday’s awards show, which already includes Quentin Tarantino, Jamie Foxx and host Samuel L. Jackson. Nicki Minaj, Usher, Rick Ross and Chris Brown are set to perform.

It will be Brown’s first public appearance since the New York nightclub brawl between his entourage and Drake’s. Brown, his girlfriend, his bodyguard and basketball star Tony Parker were among those injured in the June 14 encounter, where bottles were thrown.

Drake, however, wasn’t expected be at the event. Both singer-rappers were nominated for awards.

Rihanna, another nominee, was also expected to be absent.

The top nominee was West, who was up for seven awards. Beyonce followed with six, and her husband earned five.

Beyonce was nominated twice for show’s top award, video of the year, with “Love On Top” and “Countdown.” Two collaborative songs by West and Jay-Z, “Otis” and “In Paris,” are also up for the prize. The fifth nominee is Usher’s “Climax.”

West and Jay-Z released the platinum album “Watch the Throne” last year. West was also to perform at the awards with his G.O.O.D. Music label mates.

The most-buzzed about performance was a tribute planned for Whitney Houston. It was to include the late singer’s mother, Cissy Houston, and other female singers, though BET didn’t release names.

The show scored its best ratings in 2009 when it paid tribute to Michael Jackson, who had died three days earlier. The event had 10.2 million viewers.

The 2012 BET Awards will air live from Los Angeles.

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Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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