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Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ashanti, Bow Wow, B2K lead 106 & Park tribute at 2025 BET Awards
The 2025 BET Awards featured a heartfelt tribute to BET's iconic music video countdown show, 106 & Park, with a nostalgic performance lineup that celebrated the program's lasting cultural influence. Ashanti performs "Happy", "Rock Wit U (Aww Baby)" & 'Foolish' at the 2025 #BETAwards — RNB RADAR (@RNB_RADAR) June 10, 2025 The tribute kicked off with former host Keshia Chanté introducing Ashanti—who made history as the first artist to have a video retired on the show. The R&B star performed a smooth medley of her early 2000s hits 'Happy' and 'Foolish,' drawing cheers from the crowd. Jim Jones followed with a high-energy rendition of his anthem 'Ballin',' setting the tone for Amerie's lively recreation of her '1 Thing' dance routine. Keeping the momentum going, Terrence J hit the stage to introduce Keyshia Cole. The singer delivered an emotional performance of 'I Should Have Cheated,' which had the entire crowd singing along. Mya continued the nostalgic wave with her 2000 hit 'Case of the Ex,' paired with a routine reminiscent of her original video. Shortly after, hosts Julissa Bermudez and Big Tigger brought out Atlanta legend T.I., who fired up the audience with a medley of his hits 'Bring Em Out' and 'What You Know.' Longtime co-host Free made a solo appearance, taking viewers back to 106 & Park's early years. She upped the excitement by reuniting all four members of B2K—Omarion, Lil Fizz, Raz B, and J-Boog—who performed their chart-topping hit 'Bump, Bump, Bump,' with Fizz handling Diddy's original verse. Finally, Mr. 106 & Park himself, Bow Wow, closed out the tribute with a string of fan favorites including 'Take Ya Home' and 'Like You.' He then brought out longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri for a surprise finale performance of 'Fresh Azimiz.' Capping off the tribute, Cam Newton and Ashley Nicole Moss announced 106 & Sports, a new BET series inspired by the original countdown show, set to debut this fall.
New York Post
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Ashanti recalls terrifying ordeal of being harassed by convicted stalker for years: ‘It changed my life'
Ashanti has opened up about how the 'unsettling' years she endured being stalked by a fan changed her life.' The 'Rock Wit U' singer, 44, spoke about the 'disheartening' experience on Monday's episode of the Investigation Discovery docuseries 'Hollywood Demons.' 'I have some of the most amazing fans in the world, so I always try to be gracious, I always try to be courteous, but it does get a bit invasive,' she said. Advertisement 11 Ashanti has opened up about how the 'unsettling' years she endured being stalked by a fan changed her life.' Ashanti/Instagram 11 Ashanti's serial stalker Devar Hurd. Steven Hirsch 'In 2009, I was actually playing Dorothy in 'The Wiz' on Broadway, and my mom was getting these pictures, texts,' Ashanti continued, recalling that the sender declared that he wanted to 'be together' with the singer. Advertisement According to the docuseries, the man commented on Ashanti's live performances, disparaged her relationship with rapper Nelly, and even attempted to gain access to her home. 'It makes you feel a little scared,' Ashanti said. 'This is a red line being crossed. Obviously, my family along with me, it's kind of affecting everyone. They didn't ask to be a part of this.' 11 'In 2009, I was actually playing Dorothy in 'The Wiz' on Broadway, and my mom was getting these pictures, texts,' Ashanti said, recalling that the sender declared that he wanted to 'be together' with the singer. WireImage 11 According to the docuseries, Ashanti's stalker commented on Ashanti's live performances, disparaged her relationship with rapper Nelly, and even attempted to gain access to her home.' ID Advertisement 11 'It makes you feel a little scared,' Ashanti said. 'This is a red line being crossed. Obviously, my family along with me, it's kind of affecting everyone. They didn't ask to be a part of this.' Ashanti/Instagram The man's messages 'progressively turned into something deadly,' she added. 'He started sending pictures of my car, parked in the front of the theater. He started sending pictures of my house, aerial shots, shots of the front door,' she revealed. 'This is serious serious now,' the actress remembered thinking at the time. Advertisement 'We made the decision, me, my parents, my family, to kind of get the law involved.' 11 The man's messages 'progressively turned into something deadly,' she added. Steven Hirsch 11 'He started sending pictures of my car, parked in the front of the theater. He started sending pictures of my house, aerial shots, shots of the front door,' she revealed. John Salangsang/Shutterstock After that, an Indiana man named Devar Hurd was arrested by law enforcement in 2009. 'I was doing a show in Chicago, and he felt like I locked eyes with him, and that was his open door,' the singer explained. Though Hurd was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of sending unwanted sexual messages and stalking, he served only one year. 11 'This is serious serious now,' the actress remembered thinking at the time. Steven Hirsch 11 'We made the decision, me, my parents, my family, to kind of get the law involved,' Ashanti said. Steven Hirsch Advertisement 'In my situation, he was convicted, and we were hoping and praying that it was done. We felt that that was going to be it. But unfortunately, it kind of kept going on and on,' Ashanti shared. Hurd continued to stalk the singer, ignoring a no-contact order he received after his conviction. After sending Ashanti pictures he took with her little sister, Kenashia Douglas, along with a series on messages on social media, he was indicted in 2013 for stalking and aggravated harassment. Hurd represented himself in his subsequent trial — the second of the four stalking trials he faced between 2009 and 2016 — and cross-examined the 'Baby' hitmaker. 11 'In my situation, he was convicted, and we were hoping and praying that it was done. We felt that that was going to be it. But unfortunately, it kind of kept going on and on,' Ashanti shared. Steven Hirsch Advertisement 'It's really weird. It's kinda like, to get what you want done, he gets what he wants, which is to be in your presence,' Ashanti confessed. A mistrial was granted because of a juror illness, though Hurd would be convicted in 2016 for felony second-degree stalking. He received the maximum sentence of four years prison time but, as before, got out after just one year behind bars. The painful experience 'changed my life,' Ashanti said in the docuseries. 'It's unsettling, it's disheartening, and it makes you question who's the victim.' 11 (L-R) Ashanti and Nelly attend the No Address Los Angeles premiere at DGA Theater Complex on February 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images for NO ADDRESS MOVIE Advertisement Despite the pain, Ashanti today has 'hope' for Hurd. '[T]he feeling is hope that the rehabilitation happens, hope that he gets the message, and hoping that everything is done,' she explained. 'Stalking the Stars,' the final episode of Investigation Discovery's 'Hollywood Demons' series, premieres Monday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ID and streaming on Max.
