While the BET Awards had one heck of an interesting night (shots, stabs and all), the ceremony had another snag during Lionel Richie's Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech. They kind of, sort of, spelled his name wrong.
The singer-songwriter's name was misspelled as Ritchie as opposed to it's correct form, Richie. It was seen by not only the crowd but also the entire at-home audience, which totals up to millions of viewers.
Sure, it's a minute slip-up, but the fact remains that it is the legendary Lionel Richie ... and it is a televised event ... and it is a lifetime achievement award ... and it is, you get the point.
Mistakes aside, the awards should consider themselves lucky it was Richie on stage during the blunder. Rather than making matters worse, the soul legend merely laughed it off. Apparently, such a little error wouldn't stand in the way of him enjoying his Lifetime Achievement Award.
During his speech, Richie addressed the crowd, saying, "The funny thing about this award tonight is exactly 35, 40 years ago when I started writing these crazy songs, I must tell you the words tonight, these are all the songs they told me would ruin my career: 'Sail On', you're out of your mind. 'All Night Long', what the heck are you doing?" It appears safe to say the business was dead wrong.
Richie then paid homage to Motown's own Barry Gordy and ended his speech by thanking his loved ones. A number of covered Richie tunes followed with John Legend leading on the piano.
