Leslie Jones attends the 2017 Time 100 Gala in New York City, April 25, 2017.
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Comedian and Saturday Night Live cast member Leslie Jones has been announced as the host for the 2017 BET Awards. The ceremony, which takes place on June 25, will be Jones's first time hosting a major awards show.
"I am so excited to be hosting the BET Awards this year," Jones said in a statement on Wednesday. "BET was the first network and place where I was on TV – I am looking to turn this whole experience into a joyful homecoming."
"I am tired of everybody being sad and angry: I want people to just downright laugh," Jones told People about the outlook she's bringing to the hosting gig. "You can't do the event without touching on certain things, but I'm trying to make it all funny. It's really just about pulling the elephants out of the room and, actually, I'll make the elephant in the room laugh about it."
The BET Awards will air live on Sunday, June 25 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.