2007 BET Awards Nominations / LeToya

To:  BET (Black Entertainment Television)

Dear BET,

We are honestly shocked and disappointed to not see LeToya Luckett among the recently announced nominees for the 2007 BET Awards. While we do congratulate those who did receive nominations, we can't help but wonder why LeToya Luckett did not. The BET Awards have been touted as the awards show "celebrating yet another year of honoring extra ordinary achievement in music, entertainment and sports", but if this is truly the case, we would be celebrating at least one nomination for LeToya Luckett.

LeToya's debut solo video "Torn", debuted at #8 on 106 & Park, on May 8, 2006. Within 2 weeks the video became the program's #1 video for 25 consecutive days, making her the first artist since 2001 (and first female since 2003), to do so. During this time, the single quickly rose on the Billboard charts hitting #2 on the R&B singles chart, and #1 on Urban radio. On July 25, 2006, LeToya's self-titled debut album was released, and hit #1 on The Billboard 200, Billboard Comprehensive Albums, and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. It was certified gold in one month, and platinum soon after.

Your 2007 Best R&B Female Artist nominee, Mary J. Blige, was so impressed with LeToya's success she invited LeToya to join her on her "Breakthrough Experience" concert tour. Even you were impressed enough to invite her to 106 & Park multiple times to perform her singles, retire her #1 video, host a contest and show an exclusive extended version of "Torn" on BET.com, give her own her 3 part mini-series ("LeToya: The H-Town Chick"), an "Access Granted" for her second single "She Don't", and invited her to perform "Torn" on the red carpet on The 2006 BET Awards Pre-Show. With that said, surely you understand how perplexing and it is for us not to see her among your list of nominees.

We are fully aware everyone will not be satisfied with your list of nominees, but as we examine the list, we can't help but question if you are truly "honoring extra ordinary achievement in music, entertainment and sports", or slowly morphing the BET Awards into a televised popularity contest. If the recognition and success LeToya has garnered over the past year doesn't qualify as the "extra ordinary achievement" you say the BET Awards honor, we don't know what does. Although we are truly disappointed in the overall nominations for this year's BET Awards, we hope you will not only continue to support LeToya and other artists who are worthy, but recognize them as well.


A BRIEF list of LeToya's achievements and connection with BET

January 2006
27 - LeToya featured on BET Style

May 2006
8 - "Torn" debuts at #8 on BET's 106 & Park
11 - "Torn" reaches #2 on 106 & Park
18 - "Torn" hits #1 on 106 & Park; LeToya featured on BET Style
25 - LeToya drops by 106 & Park

June 2006
1 - LeToya featured on BET's "The Center"
2 - "Torn" receives "Greatest Gainer In Airplay" title from Billboard
14 - "Torn" become #1 song on Urban radio
27 - LeToya performs "Torn" at the 2006 BET Awards Pre-Show

July 2006
5 - BET's Access Granted goes behind the scenes of the "She Don't" video shoot
17 - 1st episode of "LeToya: The H-Town Chick" series premieres on BET
25 - "LeToya" is released; becomes #1 album in the country

August 2006
17 - "She Don't" debuts at #8 on 106 & Park; LeToya featured on BET Black Carpet
31 - "LeToya" officially certified GOLD

July 2006
14 - LeToya hits the road with Mary J. Blige on "The Breakthrough Experience Tour"

October 2006
24 - LeToya performs "She Don't" on 106 & Park

December 2006
7 - "LeToya" officially certified PLATINUM
18 - LeToya named one of the Best New Artists of 2006 (AOL)

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The 2007 BET Awards Nominations / LeToya Petition to BET (Black Entertainment Television) was created by and written by Dee Smith (d.smith26@hotmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.