BET Awards offer wide range of stars

Most eyes are on the action on stage at the BET Awards, but the view from there isn’t bad either.

“Last year when I performed, I looked out there and saw all these people in the room who have been idols,” said young R&B; star Ne-Yo, who performs again Tuesday night as the awards show returns to the Shrine Auditorium. “I looked down and saw Beyonce sitting in the first row. So you definitely want to bring your best. Everybody is in that room.”

The performers this year include 50 Cent, T.I., Ciara and Diddy, as well as two-thirds of Destiny’s Child: Kelly Rowland and the aforementioned Beyonce. The show will be hosted by comedian Mo’Nique and presenters include Terrence Howard, Tyra Banks, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Queen Latifah.

The show tries to cover a lot of ground: There not only will be trophies for musicians and actors, but also football star Reggie Bush will square off with golfer Tiger Woods in the male athlete category, and tennis’ Serena Williams and track star Gail Devers will vie in the female field.

Ne-Yo is up for male R&B; artist and is one of the seven finalists in the viewers’ choice awards, to be decided by voting at www.bet.com. The star said that even with its many awards, the show isn’t one of those windy galas that seem like slow-motion marathons.

“They keep a pace, the show really moves and it’s a lot of fun. This is the show where you know it’s important, but also people don’t take it all so serious. They have fun and that makes it fun to watch.”

The BET Awards will air live on the East Coast. The taped-delay broadcast will be shown locally at 8 p.m.

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-- Geoff Boucher