B.Scott’s Lawsuit Against BET For Allegedly Cross Dressing Gets Ugly
Last 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, according to Scott, he was asked to change his hair, clothing and makeup because it was inappropriate. He was replaced by another correspondent and later hit the network with a hefty lawsuit. So what’s the latest? Fast forward to the present day and TMZ has received some interesting BET email exchanges that doesn’t shine a positive light on network. Stephen Hill (BET’s President of Music Programming) allegedly wrote an email before the show stating:
I don’t want ‘looking like a woman B Scott.’ I want tempered B Scott.
BET’s Network Vice President Rhonda Cowan offered to help and allegedly wrote
I can speak to him about being less ‘womanly.’
After Scott went public, sharing his version of what actually happened, it appears the network became concerned. BET producer Stephanie Hodges wrote an email shortly after the broadcast, stating,
He got upset and said he was going to blow this s**t up and call GLAAD.
BET later released a statement formally apologizing (click here to read the full 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.
Another alleged damaging email was shared, from BET’s Monique Ware, implying that they were trying to create a ‘spin’ as to why Scott didn’t return after his initial segment.
The spin should be he was late for a live show and subsequently replaced and it would have been awkward in a live show to have the person assuming his role removed and him inserted….Unless we can make public the reason we didn’t want him dressed the way he normally does, I would stay away from suits, suit selections, etc.”
The network also suggests that Scott had been drinking, was unruly, had shown up late, and was wearing garments that were not pre-approved. From what we’re told, Scott is continuing his lawsuit against the network.
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