{{short description|American television personality|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{distinguish|Brandon Scott (actor)}} {{Infobox person | name = B. Scott | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|03|21}} | birth_place = Franklin, Virginia, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | body_discovered = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | monuments = | nationality = | citizenship = | other_names = | known_for = {{hlist|Internet|radio|television|entertainment}} | television = | education = University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA) | employer = | organization = | notable works = | style = | agent = | occupation = | years_active = 2007–present | height = | title = | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = | movement = | opponents = | boards = | criminal_charge = | criminal_penalty = | criminal_status = | spouse = | partner = | children = | parents = | relations = | callsign = | awards = | signature = | signature_alt = | website = {{Official URL}} | footnotes = | misc = }} '''Brandon Scott Sessoms''', best known as '''B. Scott''' (born March 21, 1981), is an American television personality, radio show host and internet celebrity who is known for their YouTube videoblogs and their website, LoveBScott.com.<ref name="Daily Tarheel">Woods, Meghan E. (March 5, 2007) Daily Tar Heel ''[http://www.dailytarheel.com/2.1525/1.164622 UNC alum becomes Internet celebrity]''</ref> They are also a contributing editor to The Glam Network, and an ''Ebony Magazine'' advice columnist.<ref name=autogenerated5>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/01/bscott-bet-awards_n_3528431.html B. Scott, Host Of BET Awards Pre-Show, Allegedly Told To Remove Makeup, Heels By Network (UPDATE)]</ref>
Scott, who is transgender and non-binary,<ref name="lgbtqn-13mar2021">{{cite web |last1=Holmes |first1=Juwan J. |title=B. Scott is becoming the first trans non-binary person to host & produce a show on BET |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/03/b-scott-becoming-first-trans-non-binary-person-host-produce-show-bet/ |website=LGBTQ Nation |access-date=March 14, 2021 |date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> has become a popular internet personality through their video blogging and their website.<ref name="The Baltimore Times">Broadway, Donna (August 10, 2009) The Baltimore Times ''[http://baltimoretimes-online.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=668&Itemid=61 The Man Behind the Media Empire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912060713/http://baltimoretimes-online.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=668&Itemid=61 |date=2009-09-12 }}''</ref> Scott has interviewed celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Ne-Yo, Chaka Khan, Aubrey O'Day and Ashanti. They have appeared in the mainstream media, making appearances on ''The Tyra Banks Show''<ref name="Queerty">[http://www.queerty.com/wherein-b-scott-goes-on-tyra-to-tell-new-yorkers-they-dress-like-crap-20100222/ "Queerty: Wherein B. Scott Goes On Tyra To Tell New Yorkers They Dress Like Crap"]</ref> and shows on Oxygen and BET.<ref name=autogenerated5 /><ref name="Hair Battle Spectacular">[http://hair-battle-spectacular.oxygen.com/hbs/photos/episode-7-bright-lights-big-city#2] "B. Scott Joins Hair Battle Spectacular as a Guest Judge"</ref>
==Early life== Scott was born in Franklin, Virginia, and was raised in Hertford County, North Carolina, by parents of African-American, Irish, Jewish and Meherrin ancestry.<ref name="Chen 2008">{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Sophia |title=B. Scott: Ostracized, pressured, inspired |url=https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2008/04/07/b-scott-ostracized-pressured-inspired/ |access-date=26 August 2019 |work=Yale Daily News |date=7 April 2008 |language=en}}</ref> As a teenager, Scott was selected to attend the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), a two-year public residential high school for students with a strong aptitude and interest in mathematics and science, located in Durham, North Carolina.<ref name="Chen 2008"/> After graduating from NCSSM in 1999, they attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and came out as gay in their sophomore year.<ref name=autogenerated3>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyaqyl4Mh6k#at=142 My Coming Out Story] by B. Scott</ref> They said in a video blog that they had feelings and were questioning previously but when they were a sophomore pre-med, they got their first romantic kiss from a man and realized they were attracted to men, and that they were using the intense pre-med education to distract themself from their sexuality.<ref name=autogenerated3 /> They stopped efforts to become a physician from the realization that it was a self-created distraction.<ref name=autogenerated3 /> Scott graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in Psychology.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://regweb.unc.edu/stats/deans/deanlistweb009.html |title=UNC Dean's List Fall 2000 |access-date=2008-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207192146/http://regweb.unc.edu/stats/deans/deanlistweb009.html |archive-date=2008-12-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Scott moved to Washington, D.C., where they briefly practiced as a licensed realtor in the Capitol Hill area.
In June 2005, Scott moved to Los Angeles, California, where they continued their work in real estate and as an interior designer. It was during this time that they began their interest in the entertainment industry, while briefly working in print ads as a fashion model.
==Video blogging and LoveBScott.com== On January 1, 2007, Scott launched LoveBScott.com which primarily focuses on five pillars in pop culture: celebrity news, fashion, music, nightlife, and miscellaneous entertainment. The intent is to approach entertainment and celebrity news with a positive spin. The name lovebscott.com was selected in an effort to give their website a readily-identifiable personality with the mission of conveying a positive outlook.<ref name="Advocate">Ochalla, Bryan (October 20, 2009) The Advocate ''[http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Media/Don__39;t_Call_Him_The_Next_RuPaul/ Don't Call Him The Next RuPaul]''</ref> In May 2007, B. Scott started incorporating YouTube videos into their website to personally connect with readers. The videos include personal observations, celebrity news, musical performances, political commentary, interviews and messages of encouragement to the audience. The videos are produced out of their Los Angeles residence. Their YouTube channel has over 90,000 subscribers, and has won numerous awards for viewership and subscriptions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/TeenAge/html/20080107T210000-0500_131142_OBS_IN_CASE_U_MISSED_IT_.asp |title=A New Internet Celebrity has Risen |access-date=2008-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225141504/http://jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/TeenAge/html/20080107T210000-0500_131142_OBS_IN_CASE_U_MISSED_IT_.asp |archive-date=2008-12-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Scott has won the Best Video Blog by The Black Weblog Awards<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.blackweblogawards.com/blog/2008/09/04/and-the-award-goes-to-2/ |title="Best Video Blog" |access-date=2009-03-17 |archive-date=2009-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106143227/http://www.blackweblogawards.com/blog/2008/09/04/and-the-award-goes-to-2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> in 2007 and 2008. In January 2008 Scott became a YouTube company partner.
In 2009, they created ''The B. Scott Show'', a talk/variety-style internet show that ran concurrent to the original videoblog. Interview subjects included celebrities and important figures in the LGBT community. Interviews are conducted in Scott's home and broadcast on both the YouTube channel and the website.<ref name="Advocate"/> Celebrities interviewed have included Ne-Yo, Ashanti, Eva Marcille, LeToya Luckett of Destiny's Child, Mariah Carey, Jordin Sparks, and Chilli (of TLC). Scott's YouTube channel has led to recognition from numerous celebrities. Popular blogger Perez Hilton in 2007 named Scott his "Favorite New YouTuber".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lovebscott.com/2007/11/05/in-case-you-guys-thought-i-was-crazy |title=Perez Hilton's Favorite New YouTuber |access-date=2008-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225132054/http://www.lovebscott.com/2007/11/05/in-case-you-guys-thought-i-was-crazy/ |archive-date=2008-12-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition, on June 19, 2009, Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx declared on his Sirius Satellite Radio channel "The Foxxhole", "I love B. Scott. [They're] very attractive. [They look] like a cross between Prince, Rosario Dawson and Lenny Kravitz." This unsolicited acclaim helped open B. Scott to a new level of recognition.<ref name="The Root">Arceneaux, Michael (August 27, 2009) The Root ''[http://www.theroot.com/views/love-b-scott Loving Gender Bending Internet Personality B. Scott]''</ref>
==Radio== In April 2010, they premiered ''The B. Scott Show'' on Jamie Foxx's channel, The Foxxhole, on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. The premiere guest was former Destiny's Child member, Michelle Williams.<ref name="All Radio News">All Radio News''[http://allradionews.com/2010/04/20/cross-dressing-celeb-blogger-b-scott-premieres-radio-show-on-jamie-foxxs-foxxhole-radio/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425055155/http://allradionews.com/2010/04/20/cross-dressing-celeb-blogger-b-scott-premieres-radio-show-on-jamie-foxxs-foxxhole-radio/|date=2010-04-25}}''</ref> The show was broadcast on Monday nights at 9 pm ET on Sirius 106 and XM 149.<ref name="B. Scott Radio Show">B. Scott''[http://lovebscott.com/radio/]''</ref> It was announced via Twitter that Scott would be discontinuing the radio show for personal reasons.
==Television== {{expand section|date=January 2014}} In 2010, Scott appeared on The Tyra Banks Show<ref name="Queerty"/> as part of the "Ambush Stranger Makeovers" segment and Oxygen's Hair Battle Spectacular<ref name="Hair Battle Spectacular"/> as a guest judge. Prior to these appearances, Scott was a featured contributor to *Extra*. Scott was also featured in "Too Hot to Handle," a 2013 season 2 episode of *Chef Roblé & Co.* on Bravo.
===2013 BET Awards: 106 & Park Pre-Show Controversy=== In 2013, Scott served as a red carpet correspondent for *Style Stage* at the *2013 BET Awards: 106 & Park Pre-Show*.<ref name="lovebscott.com">[http://www.lovebscott.com/news/b-scott-files-multi-million-dollar-gender-identity-discrimination-lawsuit-against-bet-and-viacom-court-documents-personal-statement B. Scott Files Multi-Million Dollar Gender Identity Discrimination Lawsuit against BET and Viacom (Court Documents + Personal Statement)]</ref> They were aired live at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on June 30.<ref name="autogenerated5" /> Prior to the awards show, Black Entertainment Television (BET) aired a pre-show with Scott as the sole style correspondent.<ref name="autogenerated5" /><ref>[http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/01/09/leaked-emails-support-b-scotts-claims-bet-discrimination Leaked Emails Support B. Scott's Claims of BET Discrimination]</ref> They were scheduled to conduct at least 12 one-on-one interviews but only completed the first one, before being pulled from the stage during the second.<ref>[http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2013/09/19/breaking-binaries-b-scott Breaking Binaries With B. Scott: The TV, radio, and Web personality opens up about the BET Awards they were pulled from for dressing too femme, and explains how they came to terms with his recently claimed transgender identity.]</ref>
Scott, known for openly sharing personal experiences, alleged that after the first segment, they were pulled backstage and forced "to pull my hair back, asked me to take off my makeup, made me change my clothes and prevented me from wearing a heel."<ref name="autogenerated5" /><ref name="autogenerated2">[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/07/b-scott-sues-bet_n_3721093.html B. Scott, Gender-Nonconforming Host, Sues BET After Being 'Forced' To Wear Men's Clothes]</ref> The outfit had been pre-approved, but they were told it was unacceptable. Scott agreed to change into men's clothes but was never put back on air, instead being replaced by singer Adrienne Bailon.<ref name="autogenerated5" /><ref name="autogenerated2" /> BET issued a statement calling it a matter of miscommunication and expressing regret for any offense caused.<ref name=autogenerated6>[http://newsone.com/2624114/b-scott-bet-awards-2013/ BET ‘Regrets’ B. Scott ‘Miscommunication’: ‘We Embrace All Gender Expressions’]</ref><ref>[http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-speaks-b-scott-and-bet-regarding-bet-awards-incident-network-issues-statement GLAAD speaks with B. Scott and BET regarding BET Awards incident, network issues statement]</ref> Scott dismissed the BET statement as a non-apology.<ref name="autogenerated2" /><ref>[https://twitter.com/lovebscott/statuses/352152195703128064 "BET's non-apology statement has added more insult to injury. It was not a 'miscommunication' and what they did to me was intentional."]</ref>
In August 2013, Scott filed a lawsuit against BET and its parent company Viacom for discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.<ref name="lovebscott.com" /><ref name="autogenerated2" /> They sought $2.5 million in damages.<ref name="autogenerated2" /> In January 2014, *TMZ* obtained and released internal emails indicating that BET executives had discussed their desire to prevent Scott from appearing "too feminine" on air.<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.tmz.com/2014/01/09/bet-b-scott-transgender-awards-preshow-lawsuit-emails-texts-gay/ BET: We Don't Want Male Host B. Scott Looking Like a Girl] 1/9/2014</ref><ref name="autogenerated4">[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/09/bet-emails-b-scott_n_4569432.html BET Emails About Host B. Scott Suggest Network Didn't Want Him 'Looking Like A Woman']</ref> Network Vice President Rhonda Cowen responded, suggesting Scott be "less 'womanly.'"<ref name="autogenerated1" /><ref name="autogenerated4" /> Another BET executive, Monica Ware, advised avoiding public disclosure of the reasons for the dress code change.<ref name="autogenerated1" /><ref name="autogenerated4" /> *Huffington Post* also confirmed *TMZ*'s reporting on the internal emails.<ref name="autogenerated4" />
In April 2014, BET won the lawsuit when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos ruled that BET's right to control its creative expression, including managing on-screen talent attire, was protected by the First Amendment, ultimately overruling Scott's claims of discrimination.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.advocate.com/transgender/2014/04/18/b-scott-appeal-ruling-finding-bet-didnt-discriminate | title=B. Scott to Appeal Ruling Finding BET Didn't Discriminate | date=2014-04-18}}</ref>
Scott appealed and settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount with BET in February 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.advocate.com/politics/2015/02/20/b-scott-settles-discrimination-lawsuit-bet-viacom | title=B. Scott Settles Discrimination Lawsuit with BET, Viacom | date=2015-02-21}}</ref>
In March 2021, BET announced that Scott would produce and host a new show on their network, *Twenties: The After Show*. Scott expressed pride in making history as the first trans non-binary person to host and executive produce a show at BET, stating, "I am in a place of forgiveness and I am honored to help turn the page on the past and be a part of the network's move toward a more inclusive future for everyone."<ref name="lgbtqn-13mar2021" /><ref name="bet-11mar2021">{{cite web |title=BET Announces B. Scott Will Host And Executive Produce New After Show For Groundbreaking Hit Series 'Twenties' |url=https://www.bet.com/article/e1x2oh/b-scott-to-host-new-after-show-for-hit-series-twenties |website=BET |access-date=March 14, 2021 |date=March 11, 2021}}</ref>
==Podcast== In 2015, Scott launched 'The B. Scott Show' podcast as a successor to their YouTube series of the same name. According to the show's [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-scott-show/id1195238167 description], "B. Scott, the ‘Queen of Tea,' serves up the hottest tea in pop culture with lovebscott.com's editor Denver Sean, signature one-on-one interviews and ‘Ask B. Scott' advice."
==Other appearances== Since March 2007, Scott has been hired as a celebrity talent; contributing to several publications<ref name="Honey Magazine">Honey ''[http://www.honeymag.com/group/blogs/view.castle?g=918335 Ask B. Scott] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817065115/http://www.honeymag.com/group/blogs/view.castle?g=918335 |date=2009-08-17 }}''</ref> and hosting events.
On June 7, 2007, Scott hosted the "White Party" at the Hollywood Black Film Festival<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hbff.org/parties.htm |title=The Hollywood Black Film Festival - White Party |access-date=2008-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225160200/http://hbff.org/parties.htm |archive-date=2008-12-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in Los Angeles. They also hosted this event in Summer 2008.
On April 4, 2008, Scott kicked off gay Pride month at Yale University.<ref name="Yale Daily News">Chen, Sophia (April 7, 2008) Yale Daily News ''[http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/24273 B. Scott: Ostracized, Pressured, Inspired] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222073011/http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/24273 |date=2008-12-22 }}''</ref> During the festivities they were at the forefront of three events. Scott hosted a Master's Tea at Yale University's Silliman College, a "Pride Meet and Greet" at Bespoke Restaurant and "After-party" at the Center Street Lounge in New Haven, CT.
On October 19, 2008, Scott led a team for the AIDS Walk Los Angeles and hosted the official AIDS Walk Los Angeles afterparty<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wireimage.com/SearchResults.aspx?navtyp=SRH&sfld=C&logsrch=1&s=b.%20scott |title="Wireimage Coverage at the 24th Annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles After Party hosted by B. Scott" |access-date=2008-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225133839/http://wireimage.com/SearchResults.aspx?navtyp=SRH&sfld=C&logsrch=1&s=b.%20scott |archive-date=2008-12-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> at Eleven Restaurant & Nightclub in West Hollywood. CA.
On February 28, 2009, Scott attended the 14th Annual Black Solidarity Conference at Yale University as a featured panelists on the "Disrobed: An Exposé of Black Sexuality" panel.<ref name="The Dartmouth Free Press">Domingue, Michelle T. (March 13, 2009) Dartmouth Free Press ''[http://www.dartmouth.edu/~thepress/read.php?id=1758 Black Sexuality: Overcoming Homophobia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329050534/http://www.dartmouth.edu/~thepress/read.php?id=1758 |date=2009-03-29 }}''</ref>
In early 2010, following their interview with Mariah Carey, Scott appeared in their video for "Up Out My Face" featuring Nicki Minaj.<ref name="Up Out My Face">Carey, Mariah-Up Out My Face ''[http://www.downelink.com/downetv/video.aspx?url=74933-Mariah-Carey--Up-Out-My-Face-feat-Nicki-Minaj] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716084959/http://www.downelink.com/downetv/video.aspx?url=74933-Mariah-Carey--Up-Out-My-Face-feat-Nicki-Minaj|date=2011-07-16}}''</ref>
In March 2010, Scott was the featured panelist for the first "Out in the Spotlight" panel discussion at Morehouse College. This appearance, hosted by Morehouse's Safe Space LGBT Organization, was the college's first step at creating a bridge to the LGBTQ community.<ref name="HBCU Digest">HBCUdigest.com ''{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100330090855/http://www.hbcudigest.com/2010/03/morehouse-to-host-first-gay-pride-week/]}}''</ref><ref name="Bossip.com">Bossip.com ''[http://bossip.com/230416/morehouse-college-hoste-its-1st-gay-pride-week-but-still-bans-cross-dressing/]''</ref>
==Personal life== In March 2021, Scott stated "I am a trans non-binary person and I use ''they/them'' pronouns. My gender identity, who I am on the inside, doesn't fit the binary labels of 'man' or 'woman'."<ref name="lgbtqn-13mar2021" /><ref name="glaad-9mar2021">{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=B |title=Guest Post from B. Scott: "This is not a coming out letter." |url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/guest-post-b-scott-not-coming-out-letter |website=GLAAD |access-date=March 14, 2021 |date=March 9, 2021}}</ref>
==Awards== In 2014 Scott was included as part of the Advocate's annual "40 under 40" list.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.advocate.com/40-under-40-emerging-voices/2014/08/21/40-under-40-b-scott-cares-about-making-best-version-yourself | title=40 Under 40: B. Scott Cares About Making the Best Version of Yourself| date=2014-08-21}}</ref> In 2016, Scott was included in OUT Magazine's OUT 100. The publication wrote, "Multimedia maven and androsexual B. Scott has come into his own in the past year, his cross-platform presence stronger than ever. At the 2013 BET Awards, he was instructed to dress more gender-normative, then plucked from his red-carpet-covering post. It was a slap in the face for the gender-nonconforming pop culture blogger, who was wearing a tunic, heels, and full makeup. But in 2015, he emerged from the subsequent discrimination lawsuit on a higher plane, with his own successful celebrity news and entertainment website, video opportunities, and an undisclosed settlement sum in the bank. Says Scott, 'I am triumphing.'"{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website}} * {{YouTube|u=LoveBScott}} * {{IMDb name}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scott, B.}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:People from Franklin, Virginia Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni Category:American gossip columnists Category:Transgender non-binary people Category:People from Hertford County, North Carolina Category:African-American LGBTQ people Category:African-American radio personalities Category:American bloggers Category:African-American bloggers Category:American infotainers Category:LGBTQ people from North Carolina Category:LGBTQ people from Virginia Category:North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics alumni Category:Journalists from Virginia Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers Category:21st-century African-American writers Category:20th-century African-American people Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people