Janelle Monáe Gives Middle Finger to Supreme Court While Presenting At 2022 BET Awards

During the 2022 BET Awards, Janelle Monáe called out the Supreme Court for voting to overturn Roe v. Wade: “F--k you.”

By Tamantha Gunn Jun 27, 2022 12:53 PMTags
Watch: Stars Speak Out Against Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade Draft Leak

Janelle Monáe is letting everyone know where she stands when it comes to the Supreme Court.

As the Antebellum actress took the stage to present the award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist at the 2022 BET Awards June 26, she took a moment to send a big "f—k you" to the Supreme Court after they voted in a 5-4 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which established the constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. in 1973.

"I'd like to give a special, special shoutout to Black women, to Black queer artists, to Black nonbinary artists," Janelle began. "These artists making art on our own terms, owning our truth and expressing ourselves freely and unapologetically in a world that tries to control, and police our bodies, mind-body, our decisions, my decision." 

Janelle then blurted out "F--k you, Supreme Court" and held up her middle finger as the audience in the Microsoft Theater erupted in applause.

photos
Stars Arrested Fighting for a Cause

The same sentiments were shared throughout the ceremony by other stars, including 2022 BET Awards host Taraji P. Henson, rapper Latto, the cast of BET's Sistas and singer Jazmine Sullivan, who called for men to support women as she accepted the award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.

Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET

"As always, I do this for the women—for my sisters, especially," the Heaux Tales singer said. "It's a hard time right now for us. I want to speak directly to the men: We need you all. We need y'all to stand up. Stand up for us. Stand up with us." 

Jazmine continued, "If you have ever benefited from a woman making one of the toughest decisions of her life, to terminate a pregnancy, you need to be standing with us. This is not just a woman's issue. This is everybody's issue. We need your support more than ever."

Latest News