Black, beautiful, and bold: fashion at the 2023 BET Awards
On Sunday night, the 2023 BET Awards aired with red carpet looks just as daring and memorable as the award show.
Unapologetic. Unconventional. Unforgettable. The BET Awards, also known as “culture’s biggest night,” strikes again with an evening to remember. From heartwarming speeches and reunions to a rhythmic journey through hip-hop’s time capsule, this year’s BET Awards did not disappoint. But amidst the show’s infectious energy and celebration of some of Black culture’s legends, another stage demanded attention and captivated the collective gaze — the red carpet.
Time and time again, the BET Awards red carpet reminds the world of that “Black people are not a monolith.” From sheer gowns to dazzling ensembles, the carpet revealed each of the stars’ audacious styles and unapologetic creativity. Among the sartorial enigmas that graced the occasion, a select few emerged as true showstoppers.
Coco Jones
Deemed as the night’s “Best New Artist,” the actress and singer turned heads in two fierce looks. Jones vibrantly entered the award show in a fierce red sequined LaQuan Smith gown. Then, after reminding viewers why she was nominated for “Best New Artist” in a soulful performance of her song “ICU,” the star accepted her award in a black gown designed with sheer detailing.
Latto
Before putting “it on da floor” in her performance, Latto graced the red carpet in a sheer black number. In a custom Monot gown and Neil Lane Couture jewelry, Latto accepted the award for “Best Female Artist.”
Uncle Waffles
While she may not have been crowned BET’s “Best International Act,” the South African DJ reigned on the red carpet. Dripped in jewels and crystals, Uncle Waffles dazzled in a Keys Fashion gown.
Lola Brooke
“Don’t play with it, don’t play with it, don’t play with it…” In a daring custom chain mini dress designed by Laurel DeWitt, Lola Brooke showed up and showed out, proving that she’s not one to be played with.
Summer Walker
Doing a complete 180 from her look last year, Summer Walker adorned the red carpet in a breathtaking beaded chain-style gown designed by Yousef Al Jasmi.
Madisin Rian
Model and 2023 Sports Illustrated Rookie Madison Rian gave “Alien Superstar” vibes on the red carpet. In a white skirt set designed by Han Kjøbenhavn, Rian stood out with the top’s large shoulder pads and her futuristic metallic accessories.
Curious to see who else left a lasting style impression at the BET Awards? Explore our gallery of the evening’s red carpet, where the good, the bad, and the downright inexplicable collide.
Flo Milli attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Laron Hines attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
(Left to right) Slim Jxmmi and Swae Lee of Rae Sremmurd attend the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Crystal Renee Hayslett poses in the press room during the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)
(Left to right) Skyh Black and KJ Smith attend the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Flau’jae attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Lance Gross attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Vina Love attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Victoria Monet attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Kendra G attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Janelle James attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Blxst attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Patti LaBelle performs onstage during the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Mignon Von attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Jen Su attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Coi Leray attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Doechii attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
(Left to right) Cynthia Kaye McWilliams and Malcolm Barrett attend the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Melissa L. Williams attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Ja Rule and Aisha Atkins attend the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Spice poses in the press room during the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)
Soulja Boy attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Dexta Daps attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Ari Fletcher attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
GloRilla attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Elise Neal attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Ice Spice attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Smino attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Kaliii attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Liza attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
(Left to right) Davido and Sonyae Blu attend the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Busta Rhymes speaks onstage during the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Pabi Cooper attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
(Left to right) E-40 and Tracy Stevens attend the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
(Left to right) Stella Quaresma, Renée Downer, and Jorja Douglas of Flo attend the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Jess Hilarious attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Laron Hines attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
(Left to right) Keith Lee and Ronni Lee attend the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
JT of City Girls attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Eva Marcille attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Muni Long poses in the press room during the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)
Ice Spice performs onstage during the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Karlie Redd attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Kash Doll attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Diamond Alexxis Smith attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Lola Brooke poses in the press room during the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)
Lea Robinson attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
MC Lyte attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Adanna Duru attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Busta Rhymes attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Michael Blackson attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
BIA attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Akira Akbar attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Cynthia Kaye McWilliams attends the BET Awards 2023 at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Haniyah Philogene is a multimedia storyteller and Lifestyle reporter covering all things culture. With a passion for digital media, she goes above and beyond to find new ways to tell and share stories.
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