Keith Lee is setting the record straight about any rumors of tension with Taraji P. Henson after an awkward mix-up during the 2024 BET Awards.
On Monday, Lee used TikTok to share his thoughts about a moment at the awards show on Sunday. During the event, Henson was giving out roses to celebrities in the audience but mistakenly gave one to Lee, thinking he was another influencer, Jordan Howlett.
“I am not upset at Taraji P. Henson by any stretch of the imagination,” said Lee, 27, in a video recorded from his car. “In my opinion, she did an amazing job last night.”
Henson, 53, hosted the event for the third consecutive year and had a segment where she honored attendees by giving them flowers. When she reached the front of the audience, where Lee was sitting with his wife, Ronnie, she mistakenly handed a rose meant for Lee to Howlett. Realizing the mix-up, Howlett pointed to Lee, and Henson quickly corrected herself, joking about the confusion.
“I’m so sorry!” Henson exclaimed.
Later, Lee posted a now-deleted TikTok showing him dropping the rose on the floor. “Our name will be known in every room it’s supposed to be, when it’s supposed to be, how it’s supposed to be, with no confusion. God is amazing,” he wrote over the video.
In his Monday post, Lee clarified that the video was not meant to show he was angry at Henson. “The reason I dropped the rose had nothing to do with Taraji P. Henson. It just wasn’t my moment,” he explained. “I always say, I don’t want anything that wasn’t meant for me.”
“I’m forever thankful for every room that I’m in. I was grateful to just be there and enjoy the show,” Lee continued, adding that he felt the mishap was due to poor preparation by the show’s producers, not Henson.
“The segment felt unprepared and unprofessional,” he said. “They had us switch seats to make the bit work, but it just didn’t come together smoothly, which was embarrassing for both of us.”
Despite the mix-up, Lee praised Henson, saying, “I’m a fan of Taraji. I have been for years, and I always will be. She deserves all the recognition she gets.”
Before the show, Lee spoke to ET about attending the event with his wife. “It’s amazing. I’m blessed to be here,” he said. “We look amazing. My wife looks amazing. God is amazing. I’m just thankful to be here.”
Lee expressed his gratitude for the experience, saying he never imagined attending such an event. “I always knew I would be somebody, that God had something special destined for me. I just didn’t know what path it would take. I’m here for every path he puts me on.”
