Much Of Usher's BET Acceptance Speech Was Inaudible — And People Are Pissed
BET Awards viewers were wondering why they got it bad as a sizable portion of Usher’s acceptance speech wasn’t audible for those watching from home on Sunday.
The singer and Super Bowl halftime show performer was honored with a star-studded tribute before hitting the stage to accept the BET Lifetime Achievement Award at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater.
“By the way, I should caution you that I like to talk and I have a way with words,” warned Usher, who added that his remarks were unprepared because he wanted to be “present” in the moment.
Usher proceeded to declare that he still loves “this shit” as he spoke of his career and, later, appeared to be censored for cursing more — and some more— before larger portions of the speech were inaudible for those watching the broadcast.
“And I get it, I understand, sometimes you gotta go through some shit to get to something,” said the singer before his words seemed to cut out more. Although viewers wondered if the muting was due to his use of expletives, a Billboard reporter said the singer did not swear much through the speech.
In a statement Monday, a BET spokesperson, cited “an audio malfunction during the LIVE telecast” as cause for parts of Usher’s speech being “inadvertently muted.”
“We extend our sincere apology to USHER as we couldn’t be more grateful for his participation in Culture’s Biggest Night,” wrote the spokesperson, who added that those who missed the full speech can watch the uploaded speech on BET’s YouTube channel.
Social media users quickly mocked the network and weren’t feeling how it handled sound on Sunday.
The person censoring Usher’s speech: #BETAwardspic.twitter.com/PaqtdhkjPH
— patweetme (@patweet_me) July 1, 2024
Are they gonna upload Usher’s unedited speech on BET+ or something, because this consistent muting is ridiculous. #BETAwardspic.twitter.com/OCHI1p2HQK
— AD III 👑 (@anseldeangelo) July 1, 2024
Usher’s acceptance speech:#BETAwardspic.twitter.com/33pAU8M3zz
— shannon’s breathalyzer (@johnthesecond_) July 1, 2024
they full on muted usher’s acceptance speech?? #BETAwardspic.twitter.com/QqE2eEFy64
— mikal (@fcrgiveme) July 1, 2024
They really cut Usher's whole damn speech. Cannot believe we really waited around for Usher to FINALLY get on the damn mic and #BETAwards really cut the whole damn thing other than 4 words and claps. That's that BS, Gelado!! pic.twitter.com/hRWrgwlkQT
— Dr. Nicki Washington (@dr_nickiw) July 1, 2024
The censor person in the back during Usher speech #BETAwardspic.twitter.com/cVjmXMfWOO
— LENA (@_sdm26) July 1, 2024
Centered the whole show around Usher just for the sound to go out during his acceptance speech? 🤨 #BETAwardspic.twitter.com/0abiPYYAUk
— PleighboyBarbie ᥫ᭡ (@xlaurenlacey) July 1, 2024
me all up on my tv trying to figure out why the sound don't work during usher speech #BETAwardspic.twitter.com/E6EXBhq7lc
— Trippie (@TrippieLuxxe) July 1, 2024
why tf are they muting Usher’s whole speech?????? #BetAwardspic.twitter.com/i60T7vx5eZ
— justice (@justicexlambiIy) July 1, 2024
I wanna hear the uncensored version of Usher’s speech! WHO GOT IT?! pic.twitter.com/EkmA5E1rWE
— Big Mama 🤌🏽 (@OriginalSonji) July 1, 2024
