Here's What's Going On With The Taraji P. Henson And Keith Lee Drama At The BET Awards

Taraji P. Henson had an embarrassing moment at Sunday's BET Awards when she confused YouTuber Jordan Howlett for food critic Keith Lee.

Taraji P. Henson on stage in a white beaded dress with pearl accessories, holding a microphone
Taraji P. Henson on stage in a white beaded dress with pearl accessories, holding a microphone
Keith Lee on the red carpet wearing a black suit with flared pants, a black beanie, and jewelry, posing in front of an awards sign
Keith Lee on the red carpet wearing a black suit with flared pants, a black beanie, and jewelry, posing in front of an awards sign

Michael Tran / AFP via Getty Images, Bennett Raglin / Getty Images for BET

The actor had been handing out roses to different audience members when she passed one to Jordan, thinking he was the beloved TikTok critic.

Taraji P. Henson on stage in a strapless, short, beaded dress with a sheer cape, holding a microphone
Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Upon realizing her mistake, Taraji immediately apologized and rushed over to Keith, saying she was "so sorry" for mixing him up. And while Keith ultimately accepted her flower, he was later seen throwing it on the ground in a since-deleted TikTok.

Keith Lee's post: "Our name will be known in every room it's supposed to be, when it's supposed to be, how it's supposed to be, with no confusion. God is amazing. #thankful"

"Our name will be known in every room it's supposed to be, when it's supposed to be, how it's supposed [to be], with no confusion," he wrote in the post. "God is amazing."

Keith Lee

In a follow-up video, Keith clarified, "I am not upset with Taraji P. Henson by any stretch of the imagination. And not only that, in my opinion, she smoked [the show]."

Keith Lee smiling and wearing a simple, light-colored shirt in an indoor setting with empty seats in the background
Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Keith said he only dropped his flower because it didn't feel like it was truly for him. "The reason I did this had nothing to do with Taraji P. Henson," he stressed. "The reason I did this is that I wholeheartedly believe it wasn't my rose. It wasn't my moment. It was given to me, but it wasn't mine."

Taraji P. Henson is on stage holding a microphone, wearing a metallic strapless dress, while a person in a dark suit behind her holds a bouquet of red roses
Ethan Miller / Getty Images

"I always say, I don't want nothing that wasn't mine," Keith continued, explaining that his issue rested solely with production, which he said felt "rushed" and not "intentional" and "purposeful."

Keith Lee in a white, hole-patterned knit top and sunglasses is being photographed by another individual at a public event
Ethan Miller / Getty Images

"Never once was I upset that Taraji didn't know who I was," Keith insisted. "Everything that's for me, will be for me. Everything that's for my family, will be for my family. ... While I appreciate the opportunity, it wasn't my moment."

Taraji commented on the initial video underneath a blog post, saying, "Life really is too short for this behavior. He wasn't in his seat. They give celebrity assigned seats! I rehearsed all damn day to go hit my mark and that young man wasn't in his seat so HE MISSED HIS MOMENT! His ego is hurt. He will be fine. I cleaned it up at the end of the show. No love lost here. #Godbless."

Summary of social media post by user tarajiphenson: User expresses frustration about a colleague missing their assigned seat and missing their moment on stage
@morningjuiceboxtv

People had thoughts on the situation, too.

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Some said it was a bit of an overreaction on Keith's part:

Twitter: @KailSovl

Twitter: @braxkinsmood

But some also defended him...

Twitter: @_benjvmins_

Twitter: @ambertakahashi

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People defended Taraji, too:

Twitter: @summerdonbell

Twitter: @muvaaana

What do you all make of the situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.