Taraji P. Henson sizzles in sheer Versace gown with a thigh slit at the BET Awards
Empire star Taraji P. Henson was tapped to host this year's 21st annual BET Awards held at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles.
The 50-year-old multi-nominated actress made her red carpet debut on Sunday evening in a stunning Versace gown with a high slit.
Speaking to PEOPLE about her grand entrance for the evening she teased: 'I'm going to get my Beyoncé on! God, I have chills.'
![Leggy: BET Award show host Taraji P Henson, 50, flashes leg in a Versace gown at Los Angeles' Microsoft Theatre while teasing a very grand entrance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/01/44750053-9731445-Leggy_BET_Award_show_host_Taraji_P_Henson_50_flashes_leg_in_a_Ve-a-9_1624841384648.jpg)
Leggy: BET Award show host Taraji P Henson, 50, flashes leg in a Versace gown at Los Angeles' Microsoft Theatre while teasing a very grand entrance
Taraji went all out for the evening and commanded the red carpet ahead of her hosting gig.
She looked incredible in a Versace gown that featured a black sheer corset adorned with sequins on the bodice and a very high slit exposing her left leg.
The dress featured a high neck with sparkle detailing and the train and bust were draped with the Italian brand's signature print in shades of black, gold, and hot pink.
Henson went head to toe Versace as she showed off black platform heels with an ankle strap. Her hair was styled straight and it cascaded past her hips.
![Show stopping: She offset the glamorous Versace look with straight tresses and delicate pearl drop earrings](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/01/44750331-9731445-image-a-52_1624838832726.jpg)
Show stopping: She offset the glamorous Versace look with straight tresses and delicate pearl drop earrings
![Big night: The Empire star was tapped to host the 21st annual award show and teased a 'Beyonce' like performance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/01/44750361-9731445-image-a-54_1624838924774.jpg)
![Smiling: Though she had spoken about being a bit nervous she seemed to smile through it while on the red carpet](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/08/44750345-9731445-Smiling_Though_she_had_spoken_about_being_a_bit_nervous_she_seem-a-7_1624864222737.jpg)
Big night: The Empire star was tapped to host the 21st annual award show and teased a 'Beyonce' like performance
![Iconic: 'I'm going to get my Beyoncé on! God, I have chills' she told PEOPLE of her hosting entrance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/01/44750355-9731445-Iconic_I_m_going_to_get_my_Beyonc_on_God_I_have_chills_she_told_-a-10_1624841384861.jpg)
Iconic: 'I'm going to get my Beyoncé on! God, I have chills' she told PEOPLE of her hosting entrance
Other details of her event look included pearl drop earrings and matching rings from UK based designer Nadine Aysoy, and she flashed a custom manicure that featured dazzling crystals.
Speaking to PEOPLE about her entrance she teased big things to come. 'I am looking forward to my entrance! It is a check off of my life's bucket list. That's all I'm going to say ... I'm going to get my Beyoncé on!'
She continued to express nerves about it all. 'God, I have chills. Check this off the bucket list! And I'm getting ready to do it on national TV, live! I have to calm myself down.'
![Details: She flashed a custom manicure that featured dazzling crystals](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/01/44750349-9731445-Details_She_flashed_a_custom_manicure_that_featured_dazzling_cry-a-6_1624841384602.jpg)
Details: She flashed a custom manicure that featured dazzling crystals
![Dazzling: A snap shared to her Instagram gave a close up look at her nails which she flashed on the carpet](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/01/44750657-9731445-image-a-60_1624839316093.jpg)
Dazzling: A snap shared to her Instagram gave a close up look at her nails which she flashed on the carpet
![Pearls: The couture look was accessorized with pearl drop earrings and matching rings from Nadine Aysoy](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/01/44750337-9731445-Pearls_The_couture_look_was_accessorized_with_pearl_drop_earring-a-8_1624841384640.jpg)
Pearls: The couture look was accessorized with pearl drop earrings and matching rings from Nadine Aysoy
![Take a village: In more behind the scene snaps she was seen preparing with a full team around her](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/08/44750649-9731445-Take_a_village_In_more_behind_the_scene_snaps_she_was_seen_prepa-a-8_1624864222738.jpg)
Take a village: In more behind the scene snaps she was seen preparing with a full team around her
The Oscar-nominated actress also shared that she would be making a few outfit changes throughout the night, teasing that each one would 'make you gag.'
In preparation for her hosting appearance she had confessed: 'I'm watching what I eat so I can fit in all of these fabulous costumes,' which were selected and styled in part with stylist Jason Bolden.
'So, I have to stick to the numbers that he [Jason] turned in for all of these designers. I am working out. That's good for the body and for the mental, and just taking it easy, getting a lot of rest, drinking a lot of water, staying moisturized and out the way.'
The award show celebrates Black excellence in music and the theme for this year's show is 'Year of the Black Woman.'
![First outfit: She also shared that she would be making a few wardrobe changes, teasing that each one will 'make you gag'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/01/44750321-9731445-First_outfit_She_also_shared_that_she_would_be_making_a_few_ward-a-11_1624841384904.jpg)
First outfit: She also shared that she would be making a few wardrobe changes, teasing that each one will 'make you gag'
![Preparation: 'I'm watching what I eat so I can fit in all of these fabulous costumes,' she had teased of her various event looks](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/28/08/44750351-9731445-Preparation_I_m_watching_what_I_eat_so_I_can_fit_in_all_of_these-a-9_1624864222739.jpg)
Preparation: 'I'm watching what I eat so I can fit in all of these fabulous costumes,' she had teased of her various event looks
Queen Latifah will be receiving this year's Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades-long success in film and music.
During her red carpet interview, Taraji raved over the Beauty Shop star, and said she 'taught' her a thing or two about acting.
'I'm grateful that we're giving Queen Latifah her flowers while she's still alive. This is an award that is long overdue for her. She taught me that it's more to acting than just being in front of the camera.'
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