Celebrity Person Taraji P. Henson Taraji P. Henson Teases She'll Be 'Showcasing Yet Another' of Her Talents as 2024 BET Awards Host (Exclusive) The annual awards show will air live on BET from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 30 By Jack Irvin Jack Irvin Jack Irvin has over five years of experience working in digital journalism, and he’s worked at PEOPLE since 2022. Jack started in the industry with internships at Rolling Stone and Entertainment Tonight, and he worked as a freelance writer for publications including Bustle, MTV News, Shondaland, L’Officiel USA, Ladygunn, Flood and PopCrush before joining PEOPLE. In his current role, Jack covers daily music news and has interviewed both up-and-coming and established artists including Dolly Parton, Michelle Branch, Ashanti, Cyndi Lauper, Normani, Carly Rae Jepsen and Coco Jones. People Editorial Guidelines and Nathan Vinson Nathan Vinson Nathan Vinson is the Weekend Audience Editor for PEOPLE.com, where he oversees PEOPLE's social media channels, newsletters and notifications over the weekend. He has been working for the brand since 2022. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 29, 2024 03:37PM EDT Viewers may not be ready for what they're about to see from Taraji P. Henson. Before the 53-year-old Oscar-nominated actress takes the stage as host of the 2024 BET Awards for the third time on June 30, she's opening up about her plans for the annual ceremony — which include something unexpected. Taraji P. Henson in New York City on June 16, 2024. Nina Westervelt/CBS via Getty "I'm showcasing yet another talent that a lot of you don't know that I can do. Some of you know, but not all of you," Henson tells PEOPLE, adding that she's been wanting to display the talent for quite some time. "I just haven't had the stage. I have, actually, once. But everybody didn't see it. This is culture's biggest night. The world will know." Even after two times hosting the show, the Color Purple star still gets jitters before the event kicks off — but she likes it that way. Taraji P. Henson Praises Megan Thee Stallion for Withstanding 'All of the Adversity': 'Proud of You' (Exclusive) Taraji P. Henson hosting the BET Awards in Los Angeles in June 2022. Kevin Winter/Getty "I love nerves. I still get nervous. I get nervous on the first day of shooting. It's a live show. Anything can go right or wrong, you know, but that's what's so exciting," says Henson. "That's what I love about live theater. It keeps you on your toes." "It's the not knowing that drives my adrenaline through the roof, but nerves are good. It just means you're alive," she continues. "If I'm not nervous, I would be nervous." Taraji P. Henson Is 'Excited to See' What Will Smith 'Has Up His Sleeve' for 2024 BET Awards Performance (Exclusive) Taraji P. Henson in Los Angeles in June 2022. Momodu Mansaray/WireImage Henson hasn't been to the BET Awards since she last emceed in 2022, but she would've served as host last year if 2023 panned out differently for actors. "I was ready last year to host and then we had the [SAG and WGA] strike. So, I'm really excited this year. It's gonna be an incredible show," she says. "It's culture's biggest night. The performances are gonna blow us all away. We got Will Smith, guys. I am so excited to see what he has up his sleeve." In addition to Smith, whose new song "You Can Make It" is out now, performers at the 2024 BET Awards will also include GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Victoria Monét, Lauryn Hill, YG Marley, Ice Spice, Tanner Adell, Tyla, Megan Thee Stallion, Chlöe, Childish Gambino (a.k.a. Donald Glover), Keke Palmer, Summer Walker, Marsha Ambrosius and Coco Jones. Drake and Nicki Minaj Lead the 2024 BET Awards Nominations — See the Full List! Taraji P. Henson in Los Angeles in March 2024. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images Drake led this year's nominations with seven, followed by Nicki Minaj with six, while J. Cole, Sexyy Red, SZA, and Monét each earned five, and 21 Savage, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Megan, Tyla and Usher each received four. "Usher is getting his flowers, and I'm so honored to host the show where he's receiving his flowers. I'm just proud of him," continues Henson of the R&B icon, who will take home the lifetime achievement award at the show. "It's a proud moment for the culture." The 2024 BET Awards will air live on BET at 8 p.m. ET from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 30.