Ahead of Martin: The Reunion, the special celebrating the 30th anniversary of the beloved sitcom, BET+ hosted a private screening at Hudson Lofts in Downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday (June 15) with the cast, crew, and a host of key players in Black Hollywood.
Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Carl Anthony Payne II, along with executive producers Stan Lathan, Bentley Evans, Robert Lawrence, Rae Proctor, and Stacy Lyles, were among those in attendance. Opening remarks were given by BET CEO Scott Mills.
As VIBE shuffled our way to any available seat, we spotted reunion host Affion Crockett, comedian DeRay Davis, actress Kym Whitley, actress Garcelle Beauvais, Flex and Shanice Alexander, renowned model Beverly Johnson, legendary actress Marla Gibbs, and more. Not to mention, the countless nods to iconic Martin episodes, scenes, and characters displayed were truly a work of art curated by Philly-bred artist Chuck Styles. The cast, along with the children of the late Thomas Mikal Ford, also hosted a “WZUP” Booth where they flipped the script and interviewed guests about what the series and reunion meant to them.
Later, we all sat to watch the 90-minute special in full before DJ Brian “B-Hen” Henry took over the turntables, guests indulged in special Martin-related cocktails, were well-fed by various local restaurants, and partied the night away.
Martin: The Reunion, plus all five seasons of Martin, are now streaming on BET+. Flip through photos from the show’s premiere event below.
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Martin Lawrence
Image Credit: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BET Martin Lawrence speaks onstage during the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell
Image Credit: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BET Martin and Gina reunite at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Porscha Coleman
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Actress Porscha Coleman attends the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Bruh Man And Cole
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Reginald Ballard and Carl Anthony Payne II attend the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Tommy Davidson
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images Tommy Davidson smirks for the camera during the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Portrait dedicated to Thomas Mikal Ford
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Portrait dedicated to the late Thomas Mikal Ford at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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“Martin: The Reunion” Private Screening And Experience
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Atmosphere at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Carl Anthony Payne II
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images Carl Anthony Payne II attends the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ celebration, hosted by BET+, on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Reginald Ballard
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images Reginald Ballard attends the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience hosted by BET+ on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Affion Crockett and DeRay Davis
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images (L-R) Affion Crockett and DeRay Davis attend the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience hosted by BET+ on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Russell Peters and Marla Gibbs
Image Credit: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BET (L-R) Comedian Russell Peters and legendary actress Marla Gibbs attend the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Martin Lawrence and Marla Gibbs
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Martin Lawrence greets Marla Gibbs during the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Tisha Campbell
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Tisha Campbell poses in front of artwork at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Tisha Campbell and A.J. Johnson
Image Credit: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BET (L-R) Tisha Campbell and A.J. Johnson pose on ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening red carpet on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Stan Lathan
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images Stan Lathan, director of ‘Martin: The Reunion’ attends the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Christopher “Kid” Reed
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Christopher “Kid” Reid attends the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Kym Whitley
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Comedian Kym Whitley attends the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Flex And Shanice Alexander
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images (L-R) Elijah Alexander, Flex Alexander, Shanice Alexander, and Imani Shekinah Knox attend the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Sheneneh Jenkins
Image Credit: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BET Artwork dedicated to the beloved character, Sheneneh Jenkins, on display at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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“Martin: The Reunion” Private Screening And Experience
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Atmosphere at ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience with limited collectible ‘Martin’ pillows on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Anansa Sims and Matt Barnes
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Anansa Sims and former NBA player Matt Barnes pose in experiental replica of ‘Martin’ living room at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Anansa Sims and Beverly Johnson
Image Credit: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BET Anansa Sims and Beverly Johnson attend the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Brian ‘B-Hen’ Henry
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET DJ Brian Henry behind the booth at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Jennifer Freeman
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Actress Jennifer Freeman interacts with guests at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Martin Lawrence and A.J. Johnson
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Martin Lawrence and A.J. Johnson pose together at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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‘Martin’ Artwork
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Artwork from ‘Martin’ the series on display at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Artwork dedicated to Martin Lawrence
Image Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Portrait of Martin Lawrence on display at the ‘Martin: The Reunion’ private screening and experience on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.