Blogger B.Scott Slaps BET With $2.5 Million Dollar Discrimination Lawsuit
Things just got tricky. Earlier this summer, we shared some drama that went down behind the scenes at the BET Awards and celebrity blogger B.Scott. Here’s the backstory. BET hired Scott as a style correspondent for the show’s red carpet segment and initially began the night in a tunic, black pants and heels approved by BET management. After the first segment, he was asked to change his hair, clothing and makeup because it was inappropriate.
Later, B.Scott shared his account on what happened in detail on his blog stating:
After interviewing AJ Calloway for my first segment I was literally yanked backstage and told that my look from head to toe “wasn’t acceptable.” They asked me to pull my hair back, they asked me to change my attire. Let’s be clear, I wasn’t wearing a ball gown and stiletto heels. I was wearing long pants, and a long shirt. I was returned to my trailer and forced to change into one of the other outfits while other producers waited outside. I changed quickly and returned to set, only to be told that I had been replaced by Adrienne Bailon and wouldn’t be going on at all. I was hurt. I am hurt. I feel as though at the last minute that someone at BET wasn’t comfortable with someone like me. It’s not just about the fact that BET forced me to pull my hair back, asked me to take off my makeup, made me changed my clothes and prevented me from wearing a heel. It’s more so that from the mentality and environment created by BET made me feel less than and that something was wrong with who I am as a person.
In turn, BET released the following statement:
BET Networks embraces global diversity in all its forms and seeks to maintain an inclusive workforce and a culture that values all perspectives and backgrounds. The incident with B. Scott was a singular one with a series of unfortunate miscommunications from both parties. We regret any unintentional offense to B. Scott and anyone within the LGBT community and we seek to continue embracing all gender expressions.
So what’s the latest? Welp, Scott has filed a $2.5 million dollar lawsuit against BET. According to TMZ, he is says he was humiliated and is suing for both gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination.
BET has yet to respond.
What are your thoughts? Should Scott have sued BET? Should BET’s apology have been sufficient?
[TMZ, Instagram]