Last year, popular transgender fashion personality B. Scott and BET found themselves embroiled in a public spat last year over an incident at the 2013 BET Awards. Scott responded to recently leaked emails reportedly from BET staff that stated that they didn’t want the flamboyant star appearing as a woman on the red carpet.
TMZ got hold of the internal BET emails, which reveal that the network’s brass ordered Scott to change his womanly look even though they knew going in he was transgender. While Scott obliged BET’s request to look more like a man after being seen in his original getup, he was not allowed back on the carpet. Currently involved in a lawsuit against the network, Scott spoke directly about the emails coming to light.
From B. Scott’s website:
The leaked email exchange between BET/Viacom personnel is both shocking, and hurtful. While I’m disheartened by the blatant and intentional attempt to stifle my gender identity/expression way before the day of the event, I’m also thankful that the truth is starting to surface.
This email exchange not only corroborates everything I said to be true, but it shows that BET/Viacom tried to cover-up and spin that truth with lies.
The Huffington Post obtained the same emails and a spokesperson from BET responded that Scott’s claims are flat at best.
“This claim has no merit and we are confident in our case,” said the spokesperson to The Huffington Post. “We provided direction [to B. Scott] no different than other talent in similar circumstances.”
According to the emails, the BET execs mentioned that Scott was intoxicated, was late arriving to his post and did not approve his outfit with the production staff. Scott contends that BET is falsely representing the truth.
Hit the jump to see the BET emails discussing transgender media personality B. Scott at the 2013 BET Awards.
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Photo: B. Scott
