Loren’s BET Diaries: The Fits, The Stars & The Surprises

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – Loren’s BET Diaries: The Fits, The Stars & The Surprises

Date: June 30, 2026
Host: Lauren LaRosa
Featuring: BET Awards Red Carpet Guests (Travis Malloy, Madison Ryan, Ray J, Bobby Valentino, Portia Williams, Eva Marcille, Janet Jackson, Teyana Taylor, Lauryn Hill, others)

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Episode Overview

Lauren LaRosa takes listeners behind the scenes and onto the 2026 BET Awards red carpet, recapping her unique experiences as official style stage host. With her signature vibrant energy, Lauren delivers front-row access to celebrity interviews, standout fashion moments, star-studded surprises, and moving award presentations. She offers a mix of humor, inspiration, and unfiltered commentary, celebrating Black excellence in culture, music, and entertainment.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolution of Lauren’s BET Journey

• Lauren reflects on her growth with BET since her first carpet appearance in 2017, highlighting her progression from behind-the-scenes roles to being named official style stage host this year.
  • “[This year] was all of the things. So it always feels good to see the progression, but I'm exhausted... Like, literally living my dream every single day.” (04:13)

2. On the Red Carpet: Energy, Fits, and Guest Highlights

A. Setting the Tone

• Lauren describes the start of the carpet:
  • “Like coming from like, I mean, you got Bow Wow, Roxy opening the carpet and then boom, here I come.” (09:22)
• She invites fans to judge the fashion:
  • "Throughout the show, I'm checking out who is stepping out in style, baby... Who need to fire that stylist? Okay, baby." (09:57)

B. Travis Malloy & Madison Ryan Interview

• Travis on his fit:
  • “I’m really a sweatsuit kind of guy… but my stylist said I need you to put on this chevron print…you gotta turn it up.” (11:04)
• Travis on content & chart success:
  • “That’s what sold my album and made my album the number one gospel album on iTunes… just putting the camera in front of my singer.” (12:08)
• Unexpected Ray J Moment:
  • Ray J crashes the interview, leading to humorous confusion about gospel music collaborations and playful banter about “beefing in the church.” (12:23–13:24)
  • “Are we beefing in the church right now? Are we beefing at the pulpit?” (13:24)

C. Portia Williams (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

• Portia on turning 45:
  • “I literally got my dress today. I landed, changed, came right here.” (15:02)
  • “Number one, I feel the flowers from my biggest supporter…my partner. I love my Patrice, and yes, she gave me a billboard, literally. But, you know, it’s just the support that I get from her…” (15:42)
• Discussion on stepping out of “survival mode” and embracing self-worth:
  • “Let that man love you properly. You not by yourself. And learn to just accept compliments and love and… we deserve that. Okay?” (16:22)

D. Eva Marcille (All The Queen’s Men)

• Eva on her bold style choice:
  • “We are wearing Moo Letter tonight. Black designer. Why not? Culture’s biggest night.” (17:46)
  • On her hair transformation:
    • “I cut my hair two days ago… after putting my hair getting all together, I put in a bag, and it was to see almost a decade of your life. Children. Love, pain.” (17:57)
    • “I do know I feel lighter and I feel pretty.” (18:17)
  • On All The Queen’s Men:
    • “The stakes are higher. It gets grittier. And season five will not fail to present the same kind of explosion. Pun intended.” (18:48)

3. Award Show Highlights & Iconic Moments

A. Star Power and Legends on the Carpet

• Lauren names the hip-hop legends on the scene:
  • “French Montana, Swaley, Max B, E40… legends here. I’m standing next to Bow Wow, Roxy, Matt..." (19:58, 20:23)

B. Janet Jackson Presents Icon Award to Teyana Taylor (25:21)

• Janet's moving tribute:
  • “Your gifts are from God. They’re God given. And as long as you remain close to God, your light will forever shine bright… This year, it belongs to you.” (25:21)
• On Teyana's achievements:
  • "A Grammy nomination for your latest album, Escape Room. A host of nominations for your layered performance in the Oscar winning film... and you picked up a coveted Golden Globe..." (25:21)
• Teyana addresses Black women and girls:
  • "To my brown sisters and little brown girls watching tonight, our softness is not a liability. Our depth is not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into. Our voices matter..." (29:13)

C. Lauryn Hill’s Emotional Acceptance and Call to Legacy (31:27)

• Lauryn Hill on her purpose:
  • “I do this because I want you to have everything that I experienced…I had wonderful parents who loved on me… Music was a way for me to do that.” (31:27)
  • “I have always cared about the expression and the representation of the dignity of our people.” (31:32)
  • “Fighting for y’ all is me fighting for myself… my children…my community.” (32:55)

4. Host & Show Acknowledgments

• Lauren shouts out 2026 BET Awards host Drew Ski and directs listeners to her Instagram and YouTube for further behind-the-scenes content.
  • “He did an amazing job. Shout out to Drew Ski! ...I posted outfits, behind the scenes moments, all of the things there.” (33:05–33:50)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lauren LaRosa (on her journey):
  • “The exhaustion never gets to a point where it’s overwhelming...only because, like, I’m living my dream every single day.” (04:13)
• Ray J (crashing the gospel collab):
  • “Wait, are we beefing in the church right now?” (13:24)
• Portia Williams (on support):
  • “We’ve been in survival mode, but when you finally step into that light, you gotta also accept that, too…and now I’m just living in it.” (15:42)
• Janet Jackson (presenting to Teyana Taylor):
  • “You keep stretching what greatness means and what it can look like, not only for young black girls, but for everyone walking the path behind you.” (29:47)
• Teyana Taylor:
  • “Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into. Our voices matter, and our dreams search space.” (29:13)
• Lauryn Hill:
  • “Sometimes as artists, we put ourselves in places and in situations where we have to say things that aren’t always comfortable, but we understand that people will understand later. You know, I fight for y’all.” (31:32)

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Highlight Timestamps

• Lauren describes her BET journey: 04:13
• Official carpet kicks off: 09:32
• Travis Malloy & Madison Ryan interview: 10:43–13:58
• Ray J, Bobby Valentino join – comic chaos: 12:23–13:36
• Portia Williams (RHOA) interview: 14:26–16:35
• Eva Marcille (All The Queen’s Men) interview: 17:10–19:49
• Lauren recaps legends & show close: 19:58–20:23
• Janet Jackson’s tribute to Teyana Taylor: 25:21
• Teyana Taylor’s acceptance & shout to Black girls: 29:13
• Lauryn Hill’s legendary award speech: 31:27
• Lauren’s outro and shoutout to Drew Ski: 33:05

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Episode Tone & Style

Richly conversational, energetic, uplifting, and filled with cultural pride and humor. The episode is both a celebration of Black excellence and a relatable dispatch from a journalist “living her dream.”

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Takeaway

Whether you’re here for the fashion, the music, or the unfiltered celebrity moments, Lauren’s BET Diaries delivers a vibrant recap of the 2026 BET Awards weekend, embodying the joy, ambition, and legacy of Black entertainment and culture.

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Transcript

[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human A burst pipe, A dead

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simply looking ahead to what's next, this season can be the perfect time to

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invest in yourself and your health.

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can help you learn about your options.

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[Lauren LaRosa]

I'm the homegirl that knows a little bit about everything and everybody.

[Julian Edelman]

You don't feel about that, right?

[CarMax Announcer]

Lauren came in hot.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Hey, y'.

[Ray J]

All.

[Lauren LaRosa]

What's up? It's Lauren LaRosa. And this is another episode of the Latest with Lauren LaRosa. This is your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room, baby. Now, if y' all don't hear it in my background, I am literally in the airport. I am traveling back from the 2026 BET Awards weekend, where I was on the carpet just having a really great time. This year was really amazing for me with BET because I mentioned to you guys before, and I guess we can, like, check in behind the scenes of the grind first and we can talk about it. That I've worked with BET before, but this year was so different. So let's check in behind the scenes of the grind real quick before I gotta run through tsa, because I want to get y' all some of the conversations I had on the BET Awards carpet. If you guys did not get a chance to check them out live from the BET pre show, you know, I'm gonna bring them to you right here in the latest. So let's check in behind the scenes of the grind. So, yes, guys, this year was a lot different. We did the BET Awards carpet again, which I've done several years before. My first BET Awards carpet was in 2017. I worked with EUR Web Lee Bailey's EUR Web, and then have done BET a different form of fashions over the years. Last year, actually, I was on, like, a style stage that they had set up, but it wasn't a fart. A fart. I'm sorry, y'.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

All.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It's been a long weekend. It wasn't a part of their official pre show. I wasn't, like, you know, talent, name on the bill type of thing this year. It was all of the things. So it. It always feels good to see the progression, but I'm exhausted. Had it back. I am so happy that I have a few days to really just, you know, only work on, like, us, like, the podcast, you know, breaking stories across social, and just really get some rest before we head to the Essence Festival. But I am so full. It's like the exhaustion never gets to a point where it's, like, overwhelming or too much, only because, like, I'm living my dream every single day. Like, literally living my dream every single day. So I. I love what I do. So we just gonna keep doing it until we can't no more. And God willing that that ain't never gonna happen. Y' all ain't never gon that. So let's go on into the latest because I want to bring you guys some of the conversations I was blessed and privileged to have on the carpet live from the Myel style stage during the 2026 BET Awards pre show Red carpet. Now this was the official red carpet that took place, literally took place right before the BET Awards. And then we went on over into the show. Have some audio from that as well too. So let's get on into the moments.

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[Kal Penn]

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[Kal Penn Interviewee]

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[Kal Penn]

Listen to Earsay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Summer is here At Orderly Meds, we know this time is a reminder that life is full of new beginnings. Whether you're celebrating the nice weather, starting

[Orderly Meds Male Voice]

a new chapter, planning a vacation, or

[Orderly Meds Female Voice]

simply looking ahead to what's next, this season can be the perfect time to

[Orderly Meds Male Voice]

invest in yourself and your health.

[Orderly Meds Female Voice]

If you've struggled with weight loss and are curious about GLP1 medications, orderly meds

[Orderly Meds Male Voice]

can help you learn about your options.

[Orderly Meds Female Voice]

Through a simple virtual process, you can

[Orderly Meds Male Voice]

connect with licensed medical professionals who can determine whether treatment may be appropriate for you. Getting started is fast, convenient, and happens online from the comfort of home. This summer, consider a new approach to feeling your best. Visit orderlymeds.com podcast to learn more. That's orderlymed orderlymeds.com podcast because every new season is an opportunity to take the next step forward. Compounded medications are not FDA approved, eligibility required and determined by a licensed provider. Individual results may vary. See website for details.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Now let's kick things off. Here is how the carpet started for me. Like coming from like, I mean, you got Bow Wow Roxy opening the carpet and then boom, here I come. Let's take a listen.

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

Bow wow and I are not by ourselves. We're also hosting this red carpet.

That's right.

Some other fabulous people I believe. I'm gonna check in with my director right now. Should we toss to everybody else? Yes. Let's check out what Lauren is doing. Lauren is looking fabulous. That got that leg out, that thigh out, looking very statuesque. Lauren, how are you doing, mama?

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Thanks, Roxy. Bow Wow.

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

Hey, y'.

[Kal Penn]

All.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

So I'm Lauren LaRosa and listen, I'm over here. I'm gonna be holding down all things

[Lauren LaRosa]

at the style stage.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

So throughout the show, I'm checking out who is stepping out in style, baby. And all night long, I wanna hear from y'. All, if you're at home, I need who you think really put that ish on tonight. And we could do a vote who need to fire that stylist. Okay, baby. Because y' all get real vocal in my comments. So let's do it. Just know if y' all want to light up the comments. I am reading them. I got them right here. I see y'.

[Teyana Taylor]

All.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Cardi b, cardi b, doja cat, all the things. So the carpet may be warming up,

[Lauren LaRosa]

but the energy is already electric out here.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

So right now, I'm going to toss it on over to my guy, Jason Lee.

[Lauren LaRosa]

He's at the creator studio. So here's an interview from me on the pre show carpet. I was talking to Travis Malloy and Madison Ryan, who is model, content, creat, all of the things. And y', all, why Ray J go on crash our interview and Bobby Valentino. Let's take a listen.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Laura LaRosa here at the style stage with all things style and fashion for the evening. Oh, no. I'm about to go to y' all because I am joined by Mr. Travis Malloy and Ms. The beautiful Madison Ryan. Baby, when I say came and ate me up, came ate on down, talk to me a little bit about your inspiration for the look of the evening tonight.

[Travis Malloy]

You know what? I'm really a sweatsuit kind of guy every day, but my stylist said I need you to put on this chevron print.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

I know you wasn't trying to come here to Nike tech. I know, I know you don't do us like that.

[Travis Malloy]

It was gonna be very much that with the classic Reeboks, but he said, no, you gotta turn it up. You're a gospel artist. You gotta turn it up. So I'm here to turn it up. Did I turn it up?

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Oh, yeah, it's turned up. Let me see. Do a little spin. Get the people to side profile. Give it to em. Give it. Yep. Look over pose.

[Lauren Hill]

Yep.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Got it. Okay, okay, okay. Now, come on. You gotta come on back over in the. Yes, in the shot now, Ms. Madison Ryan. Girl, the color is popping off of your skin. Beautiful black woman. Talk to me about choosing to go color today. You know what?

[Lauren LaRosa]

It's the biggest night in culture right now, so I mean, we gotta bring it.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

We gotta bring it.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Oh, it is brought, baby.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

It is brought. I want to talk to you guys a bit about the evening. I know that you are nominated. They took one of my producers told me you Are one day. One day okay? The producers told me you were okay.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Well, maybe.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Well, look, I got it there for you. Well, we gonna talk about creating content, though, because I know that that is how you got here with us. So talk to me a bit about that.

[Travis Malloy]

So creating content is important. That's what sold my album and made my album the number one gospel album on iTunes. March 20th, when it dropped. Travis Malloyan, Urban Worship Collective. The favorite album, Listen, it's sold by me just putting the camera in front of my singer.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Lord have mercy.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Yo, Ray J. It took us 20 minutes to talk, and then you came over here to interrupt. You was over there with them people doing all the craziness.

[Travis Malloy]

Speaking of gospel, Ray J is actually featured on my album on a song called Hold On.

[Lauren Hill]

Wait.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Hold on.

[Lauren LaRosa]

On a gospel record.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Ray J, he's producing my gospel album

[Travis Malloy]

we working on right now.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

I mean, it say, come as you are when you come to God, but please tell me, Ray J on the gospel record right now, how did this happen?

[Travis Malloy]

You know what's so funny? I was looking for a feature, and I was writing a song called Hold On. No matter what you're going through, you gotta hold on. He called me and said, hey, I need you to come to the house. I said, I got a song for you. I didn't realize what he was dealing with. I didn't realize what he was dealing with. But the song was for him because after what he expressed, he was dealing with with his heart. I needed him to hold on.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Now, Ms. Madison Ryan, we got Bobby Valentino. He just walked up as well. You got to say hi to the people as well.

[Ray J]

But.

[Travis Malloy]

Hey, brother.

[Ray J]

Hey. Me and Travis got some songs together, too, but he wants to put out race songs instead of the one me and him got. But it's all good. I know. I knew you before him.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Wait, are we. Are we beefing in the church right now? Are we beefing at the pulpit? What is going on right now? Ray J. What is. Ray J. I'm about to. My hair. What are you doing, y'?

[Teyana Taylor's Supporter]

All?

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

This wind is so heavy. I appreciate it. Ray J, can you come over here? Ms. Madison Ryan may need some of that. Okay. Now, Lord. Okay. Wait, Ray J. Ray J. Ray J. Okay. Yeah. On nude underwear, you got. All right, now. Let's talk a little bit. Madison, are you okay? You good, girl? I need that fan.

[Lauren LaRosa]

It's burning down.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

All right, y', all, it's Lauren LaRosa. We're here at the Style Stage. Ray J has just. I don't even know what he's doing or what he's wearing, but he's here. Madison Ryan, the beautiful ch. I'mma wrap it. And we going. We going to head on back over

[Lauren LaRosa]

to the BET Awards. And, y', all, I also got to catch up with our girl Portia. Real Housewives of Atlanta, y' all know they are preparing, or not even preparing. They've already shot the Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion, so it was her birthday. She's outside. It's BET Awards weekend, having a good time. Let's get into some style things with Portia.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

All right, y', all, Lauren LaRosa back here at the style stage. Now, listen, we've been talking to a lot of people tonight, but I got my girl, capital P, Portia in the building. Real Housewives of Atlanta, but also the birthday girl.

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

Yes.

[Portia (Real Housewives of Atlanta)]

45, baby.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Can you believe that, girl? Hold on. 45?

[Portia (Real Housewives of Atlanta)]

Where?

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Where under this dress is the 45 at Portia?

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

Cause.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Wait, let me see. Okay, okay. All right. A little something, something, something right there. So let's get into the style of everything. First, who are you wearing?

[Portia (Real Housewives of Atlanta)]

I believe Mark Barton.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Did you say Mark Barton? Bowers.

[Portia (Real Housewives of Atlanta)]

Mark Bowers. Sorry, y'.

[Eva Marcel]

All.

[Portia (Real Housewives of Atlanta)]

I literally got my dress today. I landed changed, came right here.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Did you tell her or alter at all?

[Lauren LaRosa]

No, baby, that body is giving.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

I just own whatever goes on around me. It just did what it needed to do.

[Portia (Real Housewives of Atlanta)]

You know what I'm saying? For the bet, for the black folks.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

You know what? I love that you're wearing the best right now. This smile and this glow. Oh, thank you, boo. Celebrating your birthday. I saw the billboards, all the things. How does it feel? And I also feel like you're getting a lot of your flowers, and people are starting to see. Not even starting, but people are understanding why Carlos King would say something like, the Kim Kardashian of reality TV is you right now in this moment.

[Lauren LaRosa]

How do you feel in this moment, though? Do you feel like you feel the

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

flowers even though you get some of the other stuff, too? You feel the flowers? Yeah.

[Portia (Real Housewives of Atlanta)]

Number one, I feel the flowers from my biggest supporter, which is my partner. I love my Patrice, and yes, she gave me a billboard, literally. But, you know, it's just the support that I get from her. And when it comes to, like, the supporters and other big names that recognize me and are speaking on me in such a positive way, it just builds me up. You know, we. We've been in survival mode, but when you finally step into that light, you gotta also accept that, too. And so now I'm just living in it. I also take time to celebrate myself, so it's good.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You know what we were talking about

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

the survival mode thing.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Off, off, offline. Because I was telling.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

I was telling Portia, I'm learning how to get out of survival mode. And, like, hand especially, like, you getting a good. You got a good man. You in a good relationship. Like, I'm learning.

[Portia (Real Housewives of Atlanta)]

Yes. Girl, you gotta let that go. Let that man love you properly. You not by yourself. And learn to just accept compliments and love and. And showering you with all the things. Baby, we deserve that. Okay?

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

It's black Queens.

[Portia (Real Housewives of Atlanta)]

We deserve it.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Let's see.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And of course, you cannot talk about style and BET without talking to the queen of all the Queen's Men, which is a really successful show on bet. I'm so happy for Eva. A lot of people don't get successful TV shows reoccurring the way all the Queen's Men has been for her. They're going into a new season. The show is one of BET's, like, top. Like, they put a lot behind this show. So really successful for her and really, you know, happy to see her be able to pivot throughout these different eras of her life and her career in that way. Let's talk to eva the diva, Ms. Eva Marcel on All Things Style.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

All right, now I'm standing here at

[Lauren LaRosa]

the My L Style stage with our

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

BET family, our very own fashionista and

[Lauren LaRosa]

the star of all the queens.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Men. Y' all know exactly who I'm talking about. Look how she pumping in right now. Ms. Eva Marcel. Okay, baby. And the cut is back.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay, this is the OG of the cut.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

The girls. We use you for the inspo. So.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Okay, Halle Berry, you.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

You on my Pinterest.

[Eva Marcel]

Thank you.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Let's not even do that.

[Eva Marcel]

How you feeling when you cut your hair, though? It was. It was a moment.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Thank you.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Thank you.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So listen, let's get into it. I gotta do a fit check. First and foremost, tell me, who are you wearing? What are you wearing?

[Eva Marcel]

We are wearing Moo Letter tonight. Black designer.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Yes.

[Eva Marcel]

Why not? Culture's biggest night. I decided to take it all off to put it back on.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Yeah, I took it all off to

[Lauren LaRosa]

put it back on. You said your hair is literally in a bag, right?

[Eva Marcel]

Hair is in a bag. I cut my hair two days ago. The amazing Terrell Mullen, who does it all, cut me. And after putting my hair getting all together, I put in a bag, and it was to see almost a decade of your life. Children Love, pain.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Was it freeing for you?

[Eva Marcel]

I'm still figuring that out. I'm figuring out how I feel. I do know I feel lighter and I feel pretty.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You are gorgeous, girl. Now look, when you put the full fit on, we got the short hair. What was the first thing that came to Eva's mind when you looked at yourself in the mirror before you stepped on out?

[Eva Marcel]

Who is she?

[Lauren LaRosa]

That girl?

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Now you've been lighting it up on

[Lauren LaRosa]

our screens with the hit show all the Queen's Men. And this is the show's final season. We're a few episodes into it. What can we expect as the season goes along?

[Eva Marcel]

I mean, if you have been watching this show and if you haven't, you're crazy. But all the Queens Men has taken us on a journey, introduced a world in the underbelly of life and crime led by a woman and female bosses. And so every season, the stakes are higher. It gets grittier. And season five will not fail to present the same kind of explosion. Pun intended.

[Lauren LaRosa]

So what are you looking forward to? First of all, you got the comments on YouTube going crazy. What are you looking forward to tonight in the show in the BET Awards this year?

[Eva Marcel]

Oh, my gosh. Show is going to be amazing tonight. Lauryn Hill, hands down. God, she's such a goddess. So her tribute tonight, I'm super excited to see that. Cardi B. I mean, all the things, this show has always been such a multi generational show. And so from like young heiress out there performing to like the new girls you knew were coming up to the people that we love to sit back and just feel nostalgic about, we get all of it tonight. I'm so excited.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Well, I hope you get all of

[Lauren LaRosa]

it tonight, baby, because you've been doing it for us for some time now, Miss Eva the diva.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Okay, so thank you so much for hanging out with me.

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

Yes.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Yeah.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Fire, right, y'. All. So then after this, we. Then we wrapped the show, which was also pretty crazy too. I mean, you got French Montana, Swaley, Max B E40. No, it was too short. Too short. Like, yo, yo, legends here. I'm standing next to pow wow, Roxy, Matt. Like, we wrap the show and then we head on into the BET Awards. Let's take a listen.

[Julian Edelman]

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[Kal Penn]

everyone, it's Kalpen, host of Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast I'm sitting down with Wil Wheaton, who played Gordie Lachance in stand by me 40 years ago and now narrates Stephen King's the Body, the novella that inspired it all. We talk about what it's like to return to a story that shaped his life, channeling his memories of River Phoenix in the recording booth, and why the friendships you have at 12 might be the most important ones you'll ever have.

[Wil Wheaton]

I know Gordie Lachance. I am Gordy Lachance. Like, I mean, even when I was a little kid, I was Gordy Lachance when I didn't know it.

[Kal Penn]

Listen to Earsay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Orderly Meds Male Voice]

Summer is here, which means we all want to look and feel our best.

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Visit orderlymeds.com to learn more about which GLP1 you could be eligible for. Getting started is fast, easy, and happens virtually through telemedicine from licensed professionals. Check it out for yourself. Go to orderlymeds.com podcast that's orderlymeds.com podcast taking care of yourself feels great. Compounded medications are not FDA approved. Eligibility required and determined by a licensed provider. Individual results may vary. See website for details.

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[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

Before we get into all the party that's happening right now, we gotta show love to Zetti Will for that performance. We appreciate you guys. The carpet is officially closed, but the party is still right.

[Lauren LaRosa]

I got Mariah the scientist and yo, yo right here.

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

Don't play with me. My boy Omari right here. Too short in the building. Max being.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And we know somebody here going to

[Ray J]

blow the whistle, right?

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

Too short dog man. Come on, my boy. Sway le. Oh, this is. This is cracking next.

This is the best selfie that we can talk about. Listen, first of all, Nixit 5 French. We are so proud of everything that you've been doing. I know you about to go out there on that stage. What you gonna do?

[Ray J]

Go deaf on the bench?

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

And

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

easy. Thank you to our co host for holding down the other stations, Lauren LaRosa. Where you at?

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Right here.

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

You killing it right here. Jason Lee.

Yep, yep.

You was amazing.

Thank you.

Brian Macintosh and Tiara March, thank you so much.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And then the awards went down. And here are some of my favorite moments. We had heard rumblings that Janet Jackson was on the carpet. And like I saw a video, but I didn't actually see her. And here's why she was there. Teiana Taylor received an amazing icon award and Janet Jackson presented it to her. Let's take a listen.

[Janet Jackson]

Teyana Taylor, What a year it's been for you. It seems like only yesterday our rose from Harlem grew out of the concrete and blossomed into our icon of the year. I've enjoyed watching you, as you know, over the years, watching you defy expectations, rewrite the rules and lead with an unstoppable work ethic. Your gifts are from God. They're God given. And as long as you remain close to God, your light will forever shine bright. You possess an unflinching Perfectionism, a devotion woven into everything you touch. Your focus and vision summon into being what most would call impossible. You carry a calling from above. And the world is made more luminous with the art that you have given it. This year, it belongs to you. A Grammy nomination for your latest album, Escape Room. A host of nominations for your layered performance in the Oscar winning film, One Battle After Another. You stood toe to toe with some of major heavyweights, thespians in our industry. And you picked up a coveted Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. All of that while raising two beautiful girls. Your greatest accomplishment. And a testament to the greatest superhero the world will ever know. The Black Woman.

[Teyana Taylor]

What's an icon? It's intelligence. It's care. It's originality. It's never losing sight of your purpose, no matter what. It's where imagination meets impact. It's inspiring the dreams of everyone watching. In one year, Teyana Taylor accomplished what most do in a lifetime. Songwriter, choreographer, director, producer, mother, and now Golden Globe winning actress. There's nothing that she can't do. Tiana is ambition fueled by purpose. She's the vision and the execution.

[Teyana Taylor's Supporter]

Tell me more about your foster mother.

[Lauren LaRosa]

You like her.

[Teyana Taylor]

She redefines the culture.

[Teyana Taylor's Supporter]

Would it make you feel better if

[Janet Jackson]

you came to stay with me?

[Teyana Taylor]

Fashion, film, movement. Teyana Taylor is living proof that legacy is not defined by time, but by boundless creativity.

[Teyana Taylor's Supporter]

To my brown sisters and little brown girls watching tonight, our softness is not a liability. Our death is not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into. Our voices matter and our dream search space. Thank you so much, everybody.

[Janet Jackson]

You keep stretching what greatness means and what it can look like, not only for young black girls, but for everyone walking the path behind you.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Wait.

[Janet Jackson]

And before you come up here, I don't know if you know this, but I want to share this with you. You have also won three additional awards. You've won Fashion Vanguard Video Director of the Year and Best Actress. You. You deserve it all. You really do.

[Lauren LaRosa]

And of course, Tiana's speech ain't down. She been working hard for this.

[Teyana Taylor's Supporter]

Oh, my God, I'm gagging.

[Lauren Hill]

Not. They did not tell me Janet was coming.

[Teyana Taylor's Supporter]

And it's so crazy because when Kaylani said Janet here, I said, is that the surprise?

[Lauren Hill]

I wasn't sure.

[Teyana Taylor's Supporter]

Oh, my God. I love you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for always seeing me. Thank you for every text, every hug, every talk. You are my biggest inspiration. Everybody who knows me, know how I feel about you. The fact that you Even took out the time to be here to celebrate with me. This is. This is crazy. I love you so much. I love you so much, so much. Like you don't even understand. There would be no me without you.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Lauren Hill received an a legendary award as well. Close the night out so much.

[Lauren Hill]

Thank you so much.

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

I,

[Lauren Hill]

you know, I do this because I love y'.

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

All.

[Lauren Hill]

You know, I do this because I want you to have everything that I experienced. Right. I had wonderful parents who loved on me, poured into me and protected me. And once I realized that not everybody got to have that experience, I felt like it was my duty, my responsibility to share as much love and to pour into much people as I possibly could. And music was a way for me to do that. Okay. But also, I have always cared about the expression and the representation of the dignity our people. Okay? So, you know, we put ourselves sometimes as artists, we put ourselves in places and in situations where we have to say things that aren't always comfortable, but we understand that people will understand later. You know, I fight for y'.

[Janet Jackson]

All.

[Lauren Hill]

Everybody may not know about it, but I fight for y'.

[HomeServe Announcer]

All.

[Lauren Hill]

And fighting for y' all is me fighting for myself. It's me fighting for my children. It's me fighting for my parents. It's me fighting for my grandparents. It's me fighting for my community.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Drew Ski hosted this year's awards, the 2026 BET Awards. And he was amazing as well. I mean, I don't even know if, like, a lot of his, like, sketches he did throughout the award show would even make sense. If you're just hearing it, I think you need to see it. So head on over to Brown girl grinding on Instagram to be able to do so. We were posting so many behind the scenes scenes moments there, but he did an amazing job. Shout out to Drew Ski. I hope you guys have enjoyed this episode. I wanted to take you guys to the awards with me the best way I knew how. So make sure you guys are following me across social. I posted outfits, behind the scenes moments, all of the things there. I'm also doing a full blog of the experience on my YouTube channel. Lauren LaRosa TV. Yes, it's been another year of the BET Awards. I'm Lorna Rosa. This is the latest with with Lauren, the Rosa, your daily dig on all things pop culture, entertainment news, and all of the conversations that shake the room. Baby, I tell y' all every episode, cuz I really mean it. I appreciate y' all be right here with me. Y' all could be anywhere with any old body talking about all of these things, especially the Bat awards cuz everybody's talking about it. But y' all tap in right here with me, my low riders. I appreciate you and I'll catch you in my next episode.

[Paramount Plus Announcer]

Paramount is now the home of all your BET favorites.

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

What?

[Paramount Plus Announcer]

Yeah, with all new episodes of Tyler Perry's Divorce.

[Lauren LaRosa (Style Stage Host)]

Sisters you've always liked, a little drama,

[Paramount Plus Announcer]

plus a whole new world of movies like Gladiator 2.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Now I will control an Empire Original

[Paramount Plus Announcer]

series like the Shy.

[Lauren LaRosa]

Just make sure we protect each other.

[Paramount Plus Announcer]

And live sports like ufc.

[BET Awards Host/Announcer]

Welcome to the history books.

[Paramount Plus Announcer]

New home, same family. Your Beat ET favorites are now on Paramount plus Subscribe now.

[Capella University Announcer]

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[Capella University Announcer]

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[Orderly Meds Female Voice]

Summer is here at Orderly Meds. We know this time is a reminder that life is full of new beginnings. Whether you're celebrating the nice weather, starting

[Orderly Meds Male Voice]

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[Orderly Meds Female Voice]

simply looking ahead to what's next, this season can be the perfect time to

[Orderly Meds Male Voice]

invest in yourself and your health.

[Orderly Meds Female Voice]

If you've struggled with weight loss and are curious about GLP1 medications, orderly meds

[Orderly Meds Male Voice]

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[Orderly Meds Female Voice]

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[Lauren LaRosa]

This is an iheart podcast. Guaranteed human.