BET was not the least bit embarrassing on Sunday night. In fact, the oft criticized network actually put on a great show. Hosted by the graceful and ageless Nia Long, Black Girls Rock celebrated what we here are Madame Noire already know—that black girls are the Shyte! Check out the highlights of the event’s television debut. Great to see all the ladies’ accomplishments of course, but we’re checking for the fashion too.
Before the show started, the ladies graced the red carpet. You know how we do. Show up and show out. Check out the effervescent Malinda Williams working the heck out of her little black dress. Malinda was one of our “8 Reasons” panelists. Smart and gorgeous–gotta love her.
Do you know who VV Brown is? She’s a British pop singer who is pretty popular across the pond and is now trying to make her mark stateside. If nothing else, she certainly seems to have a flair for the dramatic (literally). What do you think about the cape? Would you ever wear anything like this?
The woman who started this whole thing. Beverly Bond, founder of Black Girls Rock, decided on all black everything for her red carpet stroll.
If you have ever been to a Jill Scott concert, then you already know that Jilly from Philly does not play. Backed by an all lady band, Jill Scott belted out her hit single “Golden” while a slideshow of beautiful black women and girls played above her head. What do you think about that funky hair cut?
Host Nia Long in her first ensemble of the evening. She changed several times during the show, but this first pick was the real winner.
Little Olivia is all grown up. One of the first awards of the night went to Raven-Symone. Best known to us “older” chicas as Olivia from “The Cosby Show,” Raven has been stacking dough for many years now as an entrepreneur, producer and Nickelodeon darling. Oh and she’s only 24 years old. Yay or nay on this fluorescent number?
Don’t you want Ruby Dee to be your grandma? The beautiful, smart, extraordinarily talented legend was presented an award by Lynn Whitfield. Got the jazzy glasses on and everything. We see you, lady!
Missy Elliot is a good example of someone who has a signature style, but it’s never boring. You can be rest assured that she will be wearing pants and some kind of jacket, but you would never be able to guess exactly what she’s going to wear. Yet, you know a “Missy” outfit when you see one. Do you have a signature style? What’s your steez?
Ciara showed off her guns and demonstrated her neck strength. That’s a lot of metal for one little neck, no? Wearing a statement necklace is a technique every fashionista knows about, but wearing like five statement necklaces at the same time is just some next level type of thing.
Keri Hilson has been clowned in the past for lack luster performances, but she put on a good show at Black Girls Rock. She belted out “Breaking Point,” which is for sure a sister girl anthem. Interesting look with the structured jacket and peek-a-boo leopard bra top. Wearing something like that to work would either get your fired or promoted, definitely one of the two.
They are probably still trying to put out the flames from the final performance of the night because it was fiyah! Kelly Price (Where has she been?), Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott and Ledisi performed an amazing rendition of Nina Simone’s “Four Women.” There are still real singers out there. No breathy rapper/talkers on that stage. Every one of those women can blow.
