Bow Wow performs “Like You” solo at BET Awards as Ciara watches from the crowd [VIDEO]

The 2025 BET Awards delivered on nostalgia with a full-scale tribute to “106 & Park,” the iconic music countdown show that helped define an era. Among the artists tapped for the celebration was Bow Wow, once hailed as “Mr. 106 & Park.” He performed a medley of his hits to kick off the night. Yet it was one particular song—his 2005 chart-topper “Like You”—that got fans talking. Not for the performance itself, but because it was done without Ciara. After all she’s, his former girlfriend and the featured artist on the original track.

Adding fuel to the moment, Ciara was in attendance at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. While she didn’t join him on stage, she was later seen presenting an award during the ceremony. The absence sparked a wave of curiosity, memes, and emotional reactions across X (formerly Twitter), with many fans wondering why the two didn’t reunite, even if only for a brief onstage moment.

A Throwback Medley with a Missing Piece

The show, hosted by Kevin Hart and airing live across BET, MTV, and Paramount Network, opened with a lively segment revisiting the glory days of “106 & Park.” The tribute featured performances by Ashanti, T.I., Amerie, Jim Jones, Mya, Keyshia Cole, and Bow Wow. When Bow Wow launched into “Like You,” the absence of Ciara was immediately noticeable.

He powered through the performance with confidence, drawing energy from the crowd and even being joined by Jermaine Dupri for “Fresh Az I’m Iz.” But as the familiar melody of “Like You” rang out, audience members and viewers at home couldn’t help but notice that Ciara didn’t walk out beside him.

It was a moment that carried emotional weight. Released in 2005, “Like You” not only topped the charts but also captured the then-budding romance between Bow Wow and Ciara. Seeing the song performed solo two decades later, with Ciara present in the audience, stirred a lot. It was a unique blend of nostalgia, curiosity, and speculation.

Ciara in the Building, But Not On Stage

Ciara wasn’t a no-show for the event—far from it. She served as one of the night’s presenters, adding glamor and poise to the evening. Yet her limited role kept her away from any performance segments, especially the one that fans expected most.

It didn’t take long for users on X to begin chiming in:

• @loveRachel posted, “BET producers: ‘Hey, do you think you could perform Like You w/ Bow Wow?’ Ciara: [reaction image]” — a post that racked up over 84,000 views and nearly 3,000 favorites.
• @letroydavis added, “Ciara in the audience while Bow Wow performed ‘Like You’,” linking to a clip likely showing her real-time reaction.
• @TheMisterMarcus took a humorous approach: “Ciara is literally at the BET Awards and still won’t perform with Bow Wow.”

The engagement numbers on these posts reflected just how deeply this moment resonated. Fans were invested not just in the performance, but in the emotional subtext that accompanied it.

A Cultural Flashpoint: Bow Wow and Ciara’s Shared Legacy

Back in 2005, Bow Wow and Ciara were the music industry’s young power couple. Their relationship was widely publicized, and “Like You” was both a hit single and a symbol of their chemistry. Over the years, both artists have gone on to lead very different lives. Bow Wow has continued to evolve as a media personality, actor, and nostalgic figure in hip-hop. Ciara, now married to NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, has balanced her music career with family and business ventures.

Given this backdrop, fans speculated that a joint performance might have signaled not reconciliation, but a celebration of legacy. That it didn’t happen added to the intrigue. Was it scheduling? Creative direction? Or was the idea never on the table?

While neither artist publicly addressed the situation, the public’s reaction shows how deeply these cultural moments are felt. In many ways, “Like You” represents a snapshot of 2000s R&B that defined a generation.

Fans Wanted a Reunion—But Got a Trending Moment

The absence of a joint performance didn’t come off as shade, but rather as a quiet statement. Ciara remained composed, elegant, and focused on her duties as a presenter. Bow Wow gave a strong solo showing, proving that he can still command a stage. But together? That magic from 2005 was left as a memory. As a result, this lack of a moment began to trend on social media.

Some fans pointed out that the camera never panned to Ciara during the performance. Was this a deliberate move to avoid perceived awkwardness? Or simply a producer’s call to keep the focus on the performers? Either way, the choice didn’t go unnoticed.

Those who came into this looking for a moment wound up creating it on social media.

A Night of Nostalgia and Unspoken Moments

As the BET Awards 2025 continued to honor Black excellence and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the network’s signature event, the Bow Wow-Ciara dynamic became a subplot that captivated viewers. It was a reminder of how music, memories, and relationships intertwine—not just for the artists, but for the fans who grew up with them.

Though it may have been a missed opportunity for some, the night still succeeded in spotlighting legacy artists and igniting cultural conversations. And as social media buzzed with speculation, memes, and longing for what could have been, it was clear: the connection between Bow Wow and Ciara, musical or otherwise, still lingers in the collective imagination.

Primarily, this is the reason why the fans have been unable to let it go. Ultimately, the fans enjoyed the walk down memory lane that Bow Wow provided them. Not only was he a fixture on “106 & Park,” he also returned to host the show, alongside Keshia Chante, during the final years. So, Bow Wow performing his hits was something most expected, regardless of who was on stage with him.

Whether or not they ever share a stage again, the impact of “Like You” lives on—just this time, from opposite ends of the room.