That is Tiera Kennedy’s world, and we’re simply residing in it.

An Alabama native taking nation music by storm because of her options on Beyoncé s Cowboy Carter and her not too long ago launched debut, Rooted, Kennedy is far more than only a lady residing out her wildest goals; she embodies the function of all-American woman with ease.

“I think for me, an all-American girl, for some reason, brings me back to when I was younger, and just like playing at my grandma’s house and just being outside,” Kennedy informed xoNecole forward of her attendance on the 2025 BET Awards.

“I just feel like when I was younger, you know, you don’t have as many responsibilities. There’s not as much weighing you down, and so I kind of go back to that mindset. Like, even now, being 27, I’m trying to get back to that younger girl.”

See on Instagram

The 2025 BET Awards, hosted by Kevin Hart, passed off in Los Angeles on the Peacock Theater on Monday night time (June 9). The star-studded occasion was full of tons of surprises, together with a visit down reminiscence lane with a 106 & Park reunion, coupled with performances by artists that dominated the highest spots throughout the music video countdown present’s reign from 2000 to 2014.

Kennedy, who acquired her first nomination alongside Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, and Beyoncè within the BET Her class for “Blackbiird,” the reimagination of the unique The Beatles of the identical title (minus the additional i), invited xoNecole to prepare together with her as she ready for her first-ever BET Awards.

Magnificence Rituals Inherited From Her Mom.

Fairly than reserving her make-up artist forward of the massive night time, Kennedy determined to go on a price range and do the duty herself, one thing that isn’t too out of her norm. She famous how she incorporates a number of the issues she witnessed her mom do whereas rising up in her routine.

“I remember being younger and seeing all the makeup laid out on my mom’s counter,” the “I Look Good In That Truck” singer recalled. “I don’t even think she knows this, but there were moments where I would like to go and steal her makeup. She would have Mac. I think it was some kind of foundation powder, and I would go in there and I would put it on, and I’m like I hope she doesn’t see.”

She added, “My mom is very natural with her makeup, so even though I’ve got these big lashes on, I always gravitate towards just neutral looks… I don’t do anything too fancy.”

Tiera Kennedy’s Holy Grail of Merchandise.

Kennedy took it upon herself to take a category to make sure that she’s ready for nights like these, the place she’s the one accountable for bringing her glam look to life.

“We are independent,” she mentioned, reminding us that she is not tied to an enormous machine in the case of her work as an artist. “We ball on a budget. I have to do my makeup for award shows, events, all the things, and so my makeup artist that taught me how to do all of this, Hailee Clark, she put me on to Nars, the foundation. I don’t know exactly what the name of it is, but I love it.”

“I don’t know all the fancy technicals, but I know that it makes me just look kind of airbrushed, and so I love it. Then, I always use this Laura Mercier [setting] powder because I get real shiny, so I’ve gotta reapply that quite often.”

“We’re impartial. We ball on a price range. I’ve to do my make-up for award reveals, occasions, all of the issues, and so my make-up artist that taught me find out how to do all of this, Hailee Clark, she put me on.”Her Decision To Wear Hanifa For The Big Night.

Intentionality is essential for Kennedy, which is why she jumped at the opportunity to support Black designer Anifa Mvuemba with a dress from her fashion brand, Hanifa.

“Takirra on my team helped me pick out the dress. I really like to represent in country music, and being in Nashville, I like to represent Black culture through the things that I wear, and I was excited to get to wear a Black brand to the BET Awards,” said Kennedy.

“She was telling me about this brand, Hanifa, and we were on FaceTime just scrolling through the website, and she was like this looks like you. This feels very rooted, like fits those natural tones, and so she bought the dress and was like, ‘This is what you’re wearing.’”

The look was a Raven Knit Dress in Eggplant/Dark Brown Mesh from Hanifa.

Kennedy additionally nurtured her internal baby for the look, taking it again to her roots with one small element in her hair that she had her mom perform earlier than she hopped on the flight to LA.

“I had this vision of wearing beads in my hair because when I was younger, my mom would always do that, and I didn’t love it, but now I’m like, it would be really beautiful to tie all of that together, and the Hanifa dress just fit perfectly.”

“Just even in the past couple of days, I’ve had to take a second, and just look back at all of the awesome things we’ve gotten to do,” mentioned Kennedy when requested what child Tiera is feeling on this second.

“I had this vision of wearing beads in my hair, because when I was younger, my mom would always do that, and I didn’t love it, but now I’m like, it would be really beautiful to tie all of that together, and the Hanifa dress just fit perfectly.”

“I dreamed of having a record and having this team that was doing all of these things for me, and now, being an independent artist, and being in control of my career, I’ve gotten to build an awesome team behind me that helps me get to where I am. It’s been a lot of hard work, and I think when I was younger, I would have never imagined that I could do all of these things, and so, yeah, to be here, I don’t even think I would believe it.”

Though “Blackbiird” didn’t win within the BET Her class throughout Monday night time’s present, Kennedy’s future is brighter than ever, which she attests to her religion enjoying an enormous function in guiding her subsequent steps as she continues to rise to stardom.

“Thinking about the next thing, I think that can be really daunting when you’re an independent artist. It’s like you have to be thinking of what’s coming next, to prepare for that, but I think the way that I like to walk through life in general is letting the Lord lead,” Kennedy mentioned.

“I know that a lot of time when I have a vision of what I want things to look like in my head, He always exceed my expectations. So, I think the plan is to continue to release music, and continue to show up as my authentic self. Getting to have these moments like the BET Awards is so awesome, but also, at the same time, that’s not what I do this for. I do it for the humans that are listening to my music, that are [having] fun and healing through my music, so I hope that I can just continue to do that.”

Let’s make issues inbox official! Join the xoNecole publication for love, wellness, profession, and unique content material delivered straight to your inbox.

Characteristic picture by Rob Latour/Shutterstock