Media personality B. Scott is breaking barriers as the network's first trans non-binary person to hold a position as a star and executive producer.
Scott's history-making position comes as they were named host of the official after-show for Lena Waithe’s Twenties on BET. The after-show will soon begin production and air as a companion to the second season of Twenties, will touch on key topics in queer Black communities, Variety reported.
BET President Scott Mills said the network aims to be a "home for all Black people" and ensure "everyone is able to see themselves fully reflected in quality content.”
“The success of Twenties is part of our evolution of inclusivity on all of our platforms and productions, and we are always seeking to do more," Mills said in a statement. "In that spirit, we’re excited to continue our partnership with Lena Waithe and work with B. Scott to continue creating spaces for diverse voices to be seen, heard, and celebrated. We look forward to doing more and are thrilled for B. Scott’s captivating voice to be back home at BET.”
This isn't the trailblazer's first time making history within the network. In 2012, they became the first trans non-binary person to appear on 106 and Park and judge the “Rip the Runway” competition. B. Scott also held another pivotal role as the host of the “Style Stage Red Carpet” at the annual BET Awards.
They said they have "never really been into using labels" to describe themself, but that perspective has been changing throughout the years.
"As the world around me has grown and expanded its vocabulary, I understand how important it can be to use labels as a means of seeing ourselves, expanding our worlds, and finding community,” the star said in a statement. “The generations of people who find themselves reflected in my image or simply have gotten to know me over the years, I feel compelled to say this: I am a trans non-binary person and I use them/they pronouns. My gender identity, who I am on the inside, doesn’t fit the binary labels of 'man' or 'woman.'"
The media personality, who moved to Los Angeles in 2005 with only three red suitcases, said agents would repeatedly tell them they were too feminine.
"It seemed like they didn’t know what to do with me because the way I showed up in the world was somewhere between their expectations of what a man or a woman should be," the producer said in a guest post on GLAAD. "I wasn’t clearly one or the other. Hearing this over and over, I decided to take my identity and lived experience into my own hands."
But circumstances started to change when B. Scott began using YouTube.
"I started a YouTube channel and went viral too many times to count, before going viral was even really a thing. It was on YouTube that the world truly was introduced to me," they said. "As has been the case with social media, the platform allowed people of all backgrounds to fall in love with my unique personality and perspective. I was able to build a community of fans and admirers, who, to this day, are my 'love muffins.'"
In an Instagram post, B. Scott said they're ready to embark on a new path.
"I am proud to make history as the first trans non-binary person to host and executive produce a show at BET," they wrote on Instagram. "I am in a place of forgiveness and I am honored to help turn the page on the past and be a part of the network’s move toward a more inclusive future for everyone."
Waithe described the executive as someone who is "much more than a personality" and a "lifeline for those that feel invisible."
"They brought me joy when I was a struggling writer trying to find my way in L.A., in a word — they’re legendary. I’ve always known there should be a space for B. Scott on BET, and now the time has come for us to make that space," Waithe said. "Not only are we excited to announce season two of Twenties will now have an after show, but we are so grateful that B. Scott has agreed to be our host. I’m honored I get to be a part of B. Scott’s return to BET.”
Twenties, which is the first BET original to be nominated for a GLAAD award, stars Jonica T. Gibbs as Hattie, who plays a queer Black girl chasing her dreams of being a screenwriter in Los Angeles. Hattie and her two best friends, Marie, played by Christina Elmore and Nia, played Gabrielle Graham, count on each other while trying to survive their twenties, with their stories revolving around diversity, love and inclusion.
The show features guest stars such as Jenifer Lewis, Sean “Big Sean” Anderson, Rick Fox, Vanessa Williams, Seth Green, Iman Shumpert, Kym Whitley, Chuey Martinez, Marsha Thomason and Nazanin Mandi.
