Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic and Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for BET
Hold on! Mario is making it clear that BET could have included him as a performer in Usher’s musical tribute.
As The Shade Room previously reported, Usher received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 BET Awards on June 30 for his enduring musical legacy.
Earlier this week, TMZ caught Mario in Beverly Hills, California, and asked about his thoughts on the lineup and performances for the R&B legend’s BET Awards tribute.
“I thought it was great! I think the whole point was to have all women do it. It was a concept, and I think they killed it. All the girls killed it. It was fire. If it was dudes, then it would’ve been good. But the women — they killed it. All the ladies killed it,” Mario said.
While the performers were predominantly women, Mario mentioned that he would’ve gladly stepped in to honor Usher if BET had asked him to do so.
“Absolutely, I would’ve killed that. It would’ve been fire, fa’sho. I saw people tagging me and stuff, Mario continued.”
Mario’s statements sparked mixed reactions in The Shade Room comment section. Some Roomies felt the tribute was perfect, while others expressed a desire to see Mario hit the stage.
Instagram user @so_chelseaa wrote, “I agree!! Him, Chris, Neyo and Omarion 🔥”
Instagram user @theecoldfox wrote, “Very classy response. Mario would have been a great choice.”
While Instagram user @southernavenue wrote, “We really deserve a male only tribute. We want Mario, CB, Tank, Tyrese and Luke James. Please and thank you.”
Then Instagram user @slaeyang wrote, “Im good with the talented ladies. You would think men would rather see that anyway. Let these women have their moment damn.”
Another Instagram user @therealriribaby wrote, “And Mario can SANG SANG too.”
Instagram user @bigsash_a wrote, “He serenades women at his shows. The concept was for women to serenade him and the crowd while singing his songs …🤷🏾♀️”
Lastly, Instagram user @aspenpink wrote, “I love how he gave the women their flowers with grace, his response was very generous and genuine 💐💐👑”
Per The Shade Room, Usher received the renowned BET Lifetime Achievement Award and witnessed his peers honor his three-decade-long legacy. Ushers tribute featured performances by some of the biggest R&B and pop music names.
The special kicked off with Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, performing an a cappella rendition of Usher’s 2001 hit ‘U Don’t Have To Call.’ Keke Palmer joined in when the music started, transitioning into ‘U Make Me Wanna.’
Coco Jones serenaded the audience with Usher’s ‘There Goes My Baby’ and even tried to surprise him by coaxing him out of his seat. Chloe Bailey stunned the crowd with ‘Good Kisser,’ while Marsha Ambrosius delivered a soulful version of ‘Superstar. Tinashe also appeared and did her big one with ‘Nice & Slow.’
Summer Walker also made a surprise appearance to perform their 2023 collaboration, ‘Good, Good’ featuring 21 Savage. However, the highlight of the tribute was when Teyana Taylor popped out with Victoria Monét for ‘Bad Girl.’
Finally, Latto closed out the set with a fire performance of Usher’s chart-topping track, ‘Yeah.’ Watch Usher’s full BET Awards tribute here.
