Bow Wow Left Hanging at BET Awards as Ciara Snubs “Like You” Duet—He Blames BET, Not Her!

It was supposed to be a nostalgic reunion that lit up the 2025 BET Awards stage. Instead, fans got a dose of awkward solo energy—and the internet had a lot to say about it.

BET Awards Throwback Flop? Bow Wow Performs “Like You” Without Ciara

The 2025 BET Awards served up plenty of memorable moments, but one that stole the spotlight for all the wrong reasons was Bow Wow’s solo rendition of “Like You.” The early-2000s duet with Ciara was meant to be a fan-favorite throwback… but it quickly turned into a solo act.

Ciara, who many expected to appear for the surprise performance, was a complete no-show—leaving Bow Wow to sing both parts alone.

“Damn, where’s Ciara?” one fan tweeted during the live broadcast.
“This ‘Like You’ performance just turned into ‘Where Are You?’” another joked.

TMZ Catches Up with Bow Wow: “It Wasn’t My Call!”

Shortly after stepping off stage, TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Bow Wow outside the Peacock Theater to get the real story. And according to him—it wasn’t about drama. It was about logistics.

“I didn’t even know Ciara was in the building,” Bow Wow told reporters.
“If I’d known, we could’ve made it happen. But it wasn’t on me—BET dropped the ball.”

Bow Wow said between his red carpet hosting duties and rehearsals, he had zero downtime to coordinate a duet, and apparently, neither did the show’s producers.

“BET didn’t get their talent ducks in a row,” he claimed, shrugging off the mishap.

The Internet Had Jokes—And Theories

Social media lit up within minutes of the awkward performance. While some fans were disappointed, others couldn’t help but connect the dots between Ciara’s absence and her real-life romance.

Let’s not forget: Ciara and Bow Wow were once a hot couple in the mid-2000s before things fizzled out. Now, she’s happily married to NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, and fans speculated that jumping on stage with her ex just wasn’t in the cards.

“Ciara is Mrs. Wilson now,” one user commented. “That BET duet was never going to happen.”
“Performing with your ex while your husband is in the crowd? Yeah, no thanks,” another added.

Still, Ciara’s presence in the building left fans scratching their heads.

“You mean to tell me she was there—and didn’t even wave backstage?” one shocked viewer wrote.

Bow Wow Keeps It Moving: New Music & Tour Incoming

Despite the BET curveball, Bow Wow isn’t slowing down anytime soon. He told TMZ that he’s already back in grind mode—promoting his latest collaboration with Chris Brown titled “Use Me.”

“That track’s going crazy right now,” he said. “Streaming numbers are up, fans are vibing—I’m just enjoying the love.”

And for the 2000s kids who still bump Face Off and Unleashed, Bow Wow teased that he’s hitting the road soon with none other than B2K.

Yes, the Millennium Tour energy is coming back—and this time, Bow says it’ll be even bigger.

“Me and B2K got something real for the fans,” he teased. “The nostalgia’s coming strong.”

Ciara Stays Quiet—But Her Family Speaks Volumes

While Bow Wow did most of the talking post-show, Ciara remained silent on social media about the duet no-show. Instead, she shared sweet family content featuring Russell Wilson and their kids on Instagram, offering a stark contrast to the online gossip.

No BET performance recap. No comment on Bow Wow. Just love, light, and family life.

Fans took notice—and while some were disappointed, many applauded Ciara for choosing peace.

“Ciara’s energy is ‘I’m booked, blessed, and unbothered,’” one tweet read.
“She left that drama in 2006 where it belongs,” added another.

Industry Insiders Weigh In: “This Could’ve Been a Moment”

Music insiders are now debating whether BET missed an opportunity to deliver one of the night’s most viral moments.

“The nostalgia alone would’ve had Twitter in a chokehold,” one music producer told TMZ.
“Ciara and Bow Wow reuniting—even for 60 seconds—would’ve owned the night.”

But not everyone agrees. Others say it’s time to let old flames stay extinguished.

“This ain’t 2005,” a popular music blogger posted. “We’ve moved on. So has she.”

Final Thoughts: A Performance That Wasn’t Meant to Be

Whether it was a scheduling mix-up, producer oversight, or just a hard pass from Ciara, one thing is clear—Bow Wow gave his all on that stage. And even though fans didn’t get the full “Like You” magic they were hoping for, they did get a reminder of just how much nostalgia still lives in those early-2000s hits.

As for Ciara? She’s already trending in her own lane—dropping music, slaying red carpets, and building her brand alongside her superstar husband.

What Do You Think?

Should Ciara have joined Bow Wow for one last duet? Was BET to blame—or was this bound to flop? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

And don’t miss the next chapter in Bow Wow’s comeback—because whether it’s music, memes, or Millennium Tour madness, he’s not going anywhere.