“Saturday Night Live” player Leslie Jones is set to host the 2017 BET Awards, which air next month on the cable station.
“I am so excited to be hosting The BET Awards this year,” Jones said on Wednesday. “BET was the first network and place where I was on TV — I am looking to turn this whole experience into a joyful homecoming.”
As previously announced, Beyoncé dominates this year’s nominations with a total of seven including Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Best Collaboration withKendrick Lamar for “Freedom,” Video of the Year, and Album of the Year for “Lemonade.” Bruno Mars follows with five nods including Album of the Year, Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, and Video of the Year for “24K Magic.”
Other nominees include Solange, nominated for four awards and who is up against sister Beyoncé for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist. Chance the Rapper and Migos receive four nominations as well, Chance the Rapper nominated for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Best New Artist and Migos for Best Group and Best Collaboration for their No. 1 hit “Bad and Boujee” with Lil Uzi Vert.
Jesse Collins and Connie Orlando will executive produce the 2017 awards.
The hosting job will be Jones’ first major awards show gig.
The 2017 BET Awards will air live on Sunday, June 25 at 8 p.m. ET from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Calif. on BET.