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BET’s First Social Awards Hosted by Michael Blackson Spotlights Power of Going Viral

Posted byBy Kiersten Willis | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

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The days of needing an agent to make it big are gone as social media has generated huge stars in the last few years. Here to honor such celebs is BET. For it’s “BET Social Awards”, the network has tapped comedian Michael Blackson to host the first-ever awards show dedicated to social media influencers.

Executive produced by Mike Epps, the show will go on live in Atlanta and will feature the best and worst of social media from the last year. From the best memes to celebrity follows, the one-hour event is celebrating all things Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and beyond.

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Much like social media,  the ceremony puts the power in viewers’ hands. Mobile voting among categories for five nominees kicks off here with round one, which closes at 10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21. Then, the second round opens two days later at noon.

Categories include BaeWatch for celeb power couples who epitomize #relationshipgoals, Clapback for the best celeb response to a troll and LMAO! for the best social media comedian.

That last category is especially poignant as it could ultimately include some of the biggest stars to break out from social media and spawn mainstream careers.

After becoming the most-followed person on now-defunct video app Vine, King Bach parlayed that success into a TV and movie career, which has included appearances on “The Mindy Project” and “Black Jesus.” And former football player-turned comedian HaHa Davis has forged a bond with Chance The Rapper and is now working with Adult Swim and Kevin Hart’s LOL Productions, according to Forbes.

The “BET Social Awards” airs live on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 10 p.m.

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