The 12th BET Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on July 1, 2012.[1] The awards recognize Americans in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. Actor Samuel L. Jackson hosted the event for the first time.[2] In honor of Whitney Houston, who died earlier in the year, a musical tribute was performed by Monica, Brandy, Gary Houston, Cissy Houston, Chaka Khan,[3] while Mariah Carey shared some personal memories of her longtime friend.[4][5]
| 12th BET Awards | |
|---|---|
| Date | July 1, 2012 |
| Location | Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California |
| Presented by | Black Entertainment Television |
| Hosted by | Samuel L. Jackson |
| Website | http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2012.html  |
| Television/radio coverage | |
| Network | BET |
| Runtime | 210 minutes |
The BET-televised event was watched by 7.42 million viewers and achieved a 3.2 rating in the adult 18-49 demographic, marking the highest numbers for the night on basic cable.[6] Typically taking place every June, this was the first ceremony to be held in July.
Performers
Nominees and winners
Winners are highlighted in boldface:[7]