2021 BET Awards best dressed: Zendaya, Lil Nas X, Saweetie

Zendaya’s Beyoncé homage and Lil Nas X’s Cinderella moment turn heads at BET Awards

Lil Nas X wears a Cinderella-like blue and white gown with images of pople and buildings on the red carpet

June 28, 2021 9:38 AM PT

With a live, fully vaccinated audience, the 2021 BET Awards took place Sunday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Hosted by Taraji P. Henson, who made her grand entrance by descending from the ceiling on a gold swing, the show highlighted “the year of the Black woman.”

Golden Globe winner Andra Day kicked off the evening, taking home the BET Award for best actress for her role as Billie Holiday in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” The culture’s biggest night, as BET calls it, returned with full force after last year’s virtual ceremony.

And it was full of show-stopping moments, from Cardi B revealing her second pregnancy on stage to Lil Nas X’s steamy performance that ended Pride month with a bang (and a kiss).

A woman in formal attire accepts an award onstage

In addition to performances by Kirk Franklin and Lil’ Baby, Megan Thee Stallion, H.E.R., Silk Sonic and City Girls, the night culminated in honoring Queen Latifah with the BET Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award and a tribute to late rapper DMX.

To celebrate the women who have made an immense impact, Henson gave them their flowers — literally handing roses to Issa Rae, Zendaya, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) and Jazmine Sullivan (who won for album of the year for “Heaux Tales”).

Throughout the show, the host dressed up as some of her favorite Black female icons, including Diana Ross, Erykah Badu and Betty Boop.

A woman stands on stage with a microphone.

However, Henson wasn’t the only one vying for a major fashion moment. From bold slits and silhouettes to elegant ensembles and over-the-top looks, Sunday’s attendees captivated on the red carpet, reminding viewers why they missed the glitz and glamour of in-person events.

Black stylists such as Jason Bolden, Hodo Musa and Ade Samuel emboldened celebrities’ looks, and “image architect” Law Roach gave us a blast from the past. As a tribute to Beyoncé’s performance at the third BET Awards in 2003, Roach styled Zendaya in a Versace look, which she captioned “Crazy in love” on her Instagram account.

On Instagram, Roach posted a reel of Zendaya walking in slow motion, with the caption, “Paying homage to the Queen Beyoncé wearing @versace SS2003 .... get you a stylist with a ARCHIVE!!!!” Though she didn’t win the award for best actress, Zendaya definitely won the top spot for best dressed.

Here’s a roundup of the top style moments from the 2021 BET Awards red carpet.