Keith Lee is setting the record straight about any perceived tension with Taraji P. Henson following an awkward moment at the 2024 BET Awards. The TikTok food critic took to social media to clarify his feelings after Henson mistakenly identified him during a segment where she handed out roses to celebrities in the audience.
In a video posted on TikTok, Lee, 27, explained that he harbors no ill will towards Henson, 53, who hosted the awards for the third consecutive year. “I am not upset at Taraji P. Henson by any stretch of the imagination,” Lee said from inside his car. “In my opinion, she smoked it last night.”
The mix-up occurred during a segment where Henson aimed to “give people their flowers” as a form of celebration. As she approached the front of the audience, where Lee was seated with his wife, Ronnie, she mistakenly addressed fellow influencer Jordan Howlett, known as Jordan Thee Stallion on TikTok, as Keith Lee. Howlett pointed to Lee, and Henson quickly corrected herself, apologizing for the confusion.
“I’m so sorry!” Henson exclaimed, acknowledging her mistake. Later, Lee posted a since-deleted TikTok video showing him dropping the rose he received on the floor. The caption read, “Our name will be known in every room it’s supposed to be, when it’s supposed to be, how it’s supposed, with no confusion. God is amazing,” accompanied by praying hands emojis.
In his follow-up post, Lee clarified that his actions were not a sign of anger towards Henson. “The reason I did this had nothing to do with Taraji P. Henson. 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,” he explained. “I always say, I don’t want nothing that wasn’t mine.”
Lee expressed gratitude for being part of the event, emphasizing that the mishap was not Henson’s fault but rather a result of poor planning by the show’s producers. “I am forever thankful for every room that I’m in. I was more than thankful and more than grateful to just sit there and enjoy the show,” he said. He described the segment as “extremely unprepared and unprofessional,” noting that he and his wife were asked to change seats to facilitate the bit, but the necessary preparations were not made.
“It is what it is. I just wish they would have set both of us up for success in that situation,” Lee added. He praised Henson, saying, “I’m personally a fan of Taraji, I’ve been for years, and I always will be. I love to see her get the recognition that she deserves.”
Before the show, Lee spoke to ET about attending the event with his wife. “It’s amazing. I’m blessed to be here,” he shared. “We look amazing. My wife looks amazing. God is amazing. I’m just here. I’m thankful. We’re everywhere we’re supposed to be at all times.”
Lee reflected on his journey, expressing disbelief at attending such an event. “I wouldn’t have believed,” he said. “I always knew that I would be somebody, I always knew that God destined something for me special. I just never knew what path it was going to take me and I’m here for every path that he puts me on.”
The incident sparked mixed reactions online. Some criticized Lee for his response, calling it “corny” and “dramatic,” while others defended him, suggesting he might have been embarrassed by the situation. “He did right! HAPPY WIFE HAPPY LIFE!!! Y’all bugging,” one commenter said. Another added, “I think people forget that maybe he was embarrassed too. It was on national TV and it was awkward as hell.”
Rapper and reality star Lil Scrappy also weighed in, advising Lee to understand it was an honest mistake. “It was an honest mistake my boy,” he said in an Instagram post. “Happens to us all, but on the real your name known for being a food critic and it worked but we gotta be better at recognizing and respecting our people it works both ways.”
Many fans rushed to Henson’s defense, pointing out the challenges of live TV. “If only yall knew how live TV works.. she probably had people in her ear giving instructions at the same time..camera crew positioning her in the moment…it’s not easy…slow down on Ms. Taraji,” one person commented.
Following the online backlash, Lee posted another video to provide more context. He reiterated that he was not upset with Henson and praised her performance. “In my opinion, she smoked it last night. I don’t think for one second Taraji had any ill will or any ill intentions behind the situation. The situation happened the way it did. It is what it is.”
Lee emphasized that his issue was with the production, not Henson. “I wholeheartedly believe. That wasn’t my rose. That wasn’t my moment. It was given to me but it wasn’t mine,” he said. “As I always say, I don’t want nothing that ain’t mine. I want what’s meant for me. Nothing less, nothing more.”
He criticized the production team for moving him and his wife to different seats without proper direction, calling the segment “extremely rushed” and “unprofessional.” “The entire segment on the production side felt extremely rushed,” he continued. “Not only did it feel rushed it did not feel intentional. It did not feel purposeful.”
Lee also addressed the criticism of his wife’s reaction, explaining that they understood Henson’s flirting was improv and a joke. “My wife and myself understand the flirting that Taraji was doing was fully improv and fully a joke,” he said. “It was a hard situation for all of us to be in and we fully understand that she made it up on the fly.”
He concluded by expressing his appreciation for the invitation to the BET Awards but wished for better preparation. “I appreciate BET for the invite but I wish they would have set us up both for more success in that situation.”
Henson has not commented further on the incident since her on-air apology.
Source: ET, The Neighborhood Talk, Hollywood Unlocked
