No Beyoncé for Sparks
On the BET Awards red carpet, Jordin Sparks reveals why she hasn't seen Beyoncé on her "Cowboy Carter" tour. (June 10)
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USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Doechii criticizes 'ruthless' Trump administration at BET Awards amid Los Angeles protests
Doechii criticizes 'ruthless' Trump administration at BET Awards amid Los Angeles protests Show Caption Hide Caption See how Los Angeles protests intensified over one weekend What started as a small protest over immigration raids on Friday ballooned into large demonstrations throughout the weekend. Here's what happened. Doechii is getting on the mic for a different cause. During a June 9 appearance at the BET Awards, the Grammy-winning rapper used her acceptance speech to speak out on the dayslong protests in Los Angeles. The "Anxiety" emcee, 26, was recognized with the award for best female hip-hop artist at the star-studded ceremony held at downtown LA's Peacock Theater. "As much as I'm honored by this award, I do want to address what's happening right now outside of the building," Doechii said. "There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order. Trump is using military forces to stop a protest." Doechii's remarks come a few days after several demonstrations erupted across Los Angeles county in response to a handful of immigration raids. "I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?" Doechii continued in her BET Awards speech. ICE protests in LA escalate amid troop deployment The federal invasions, carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), took place in several parts of the city, including outside a Home Depot and a clothing manufacturer in the downtown garment district. The protests had largely been peaceful but flared up when heavily armed, masked agents raided Los Angeles businesses, ending in charred self-driving cars, freeway shut-downs and clouds of tear gas. ICE is carrying out a directive from President Donald Trump to find immigrants living in the United States without legal status. The protests have sprung up against the sweeps the agency is carrying out in various neighborhoods across the sprawling metropolitan area. After small protests against the raids on June 6, President Trump took several swift actions, including calling in the 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines, which drew ire — and at least one lawsuit — from state officials who accuse the president of stoking tension and escalating unrest. Stars speak out on LA protests: Doechii blasts Trump, Finneas reveals teargassing Trump has stood by his actions, saying the deployments were necessary to contain what he described as "violent, instigated riots." About 150 people have been arrested at the protests, which have included flareups of unruly clashes, vandalism and looting, but have remained limited to a few blocks in the city's downtown area. Doechii isn't the only star who's gotten on her soapbox amid the protests. The federal response similarly prompted backlash from celebrities such as Finneas and Reneé Rapp, who have blasted the Trump administration for inciting the violence it claims to be addressing. "People are being swept up and torn from their families, and I feel it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people: for Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza," Doechii concluded. "We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear. And I hope we stand together, my brothers and my sisters, against hate and we protest against it." 10 bingeable memoirs to check out: Celebrities tell all about aging, marriage and Beyoncé Watch Doechii's BET Awards speech Contributing: Christopher Cann and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Doechii Wins Her First BET Award and Uses Her Speech as a Call for Justice
Doechii Wins Her First BET Award and Uses Her Speech as a Call for Justice originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Grammy-winning rapper Doechii won Best Female Hip Hop Artist at the 2025 BET Awards. She used her acceptance time on stage as a powerful call for justice, condemning Trump's immigration crackdown and the military response to the protests. After receiving her first BET award and acknowledging her fellow nominees, Doechii shifted her speech towards the events unfolding in Los Angeles, questioning the state of our city and government."There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order," she said. "Trump is using military forces to stop a protest. I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?"The BET awards took place on Sunday night amid a weekend of protests over immigration raids. On Monday, President Donald Trump responded to the chaos by authorizing the mobilization of over 4,000 National Guard members to protect federal property. California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, have criticized the action as unconstitutional and have filed lawsuits claiming the deployment occurred without the state's consent. Others have alleged that the Trump administration used military force to incite disorder and intimidate used her big win to speak up against the injustice, inspiring loud applause from the audience. The artist's speech was the only direct response to the chaos ensuing in the surrounding area of the event. 'People are being swept up and torn from their families,' she continued. 'I feel like it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people … We all deserve to live in hope and not fear. I hope we stand together.'The 25th anniversary of the BET Awards took place just blocks from where National Guard troops are now stationed, highlighting the intersection of entertainment and political activism as celebrities increasingly use their platforms to raise awareness. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cloonee Postpones L.A. Shows Amid ICE Raids: ‘I Will Not Throw a Party Whilst the Latino People Who Have Supported Me in This City Are Hurting'
As protests continue in Los Angeles following sweeping ICE raids, electronic producer Cloonee has postponed a pair of shows meant to happen in the city this weekend. 'For the past four years now, I have called this city my home,' the British artist wrote Tuesday (June 10) in a statement posted to social media. 'Like the city, my fans are diverse and it breaks my heart to see what the Latino community is going through right now. More from Billboard Doechii Calls Out ICE Raids & President Trump at 2025 BET Awards: 'People Are Being Swept Up & Torn From Their Families' Leon Thomas' 'Mutt' Snatches Third Radio Crown of 2025 The Alchemist Could've Been on Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter VI': 'I Was Just Overthinking It' 'I have therefore decided that the right, responsible and only decision is to postpone this weekend's events,' he continues. 'Our time together is meant to be one of celebration, and now is not the time for celebrating.' Read the complete statement below. These shows were scheduled to happen June 13-14 at City Market in downtown Los Angeles, an area of town that's seen myriad raids by ICE amid federal immigration efforts. Cloonee's shows are now scheduled to happen July 11-12, with all tickets valid for the corresponding new dates, with refunds also available for the next seven days. According to the L.A. Times, an immigrants-rights leader in the city reported that 'about 300 people have been detained by federal authorities in California since sweeps began last week.' The situation has been inflamed after the Trump administration deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles amid protests over ICE raids. Cloonee is one of many artists who's spoken out on the ICE raids and their aftermath, with Doechii using her speech at the BET Awards in Los Angeles on Monday (June 9) to say that 'I do wanna address what's happening right now outside of the building. There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order. Trump is using military force to stop a protest. And I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?' 'For the past four years now, I have called this city my home. Like the city, my fans are diverse and it breaks my heart to see what the Latino community is going through right now.I have therefore decided that the right, responsible and only decision is to postpone this weekend's events. Our time together is meant to be one of celebration, and now is not the time for are moving this weekend's shows to the new dates of Friday, July 11th and Saturday, July 12th. All tickets will remain valid for the new corresponding date. If you are unable to join us at that time, you may cancel your tickets for a full refund in the next 7 days. All ticket buyers will receive an email to the address used to purchase the tickets with a refund link, or reach out to our team at understand this may upset a large number of ticket holders who, like myself, have waited months for these shows, and I do not take this decision lightly.I see you, I hear you and I simply will not throw a party whilst the Latino people who have supported me in this city are hurting so take care of yourselves, prioritize your safety and your community above all else. I will make this up to you in a months Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
