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*Beyonce will debut her new single “Déjà Vu” to open the 2006 BET Awards on June 27, while her boy Prince is scheduled to close the show in what organizers are billing as a “Grand Opening, Grand Closing” event in Los Angeles.
“Prince’s song selection is a closely guarded secret…even to the show producers…at this point,” BET said in a statement. Other confirmed performers include nominee Jamie Foxx, Busta Rhymes, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole, Lil Wayne and Mary Mary. Previously announced show talent Mary J. Blige and T.I. will round out the set list, “along with a few surprises,” the network promises.
Others confirmed to attend BET Awards ’06 include Lifetime Achievement Award winner Chaka Khan, Humanitarian Award recipient Harry Belafonte and presenters Vivica A. Fox, Outkast, NFL first-round draft pick Vince Young, Rihanna, Shawn and Marlon Wayans, “Good Times” stars Bernadette Stanis and Jimmy Walker, and former BET Awards host Steve Harvey.
Damon Wayans will host this year’s three-hour telecast, which will broadcast live from the Shrine auditorium beginning at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CT; tape-delayed in the Mountain and Pacific zones).
In addition, BET viewers can cast their votes for Favorite Performer in the BET.com Viewer’s Choice poll at www.bet.com, which takes place in “real-time” during the course of the telecast. Viewers can tune in to the ceremony to see if their chosen performer won the Viewer’s Choice award, and also check out other interactive features.