Dreamgirls stars Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson led the way at Tuesday's Black Entertainment Television Awards in Los Angeles.

People magazine reported that Hudson kicked off the three-hour ceremony with a duet of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" with Jennifer Holliday, who made the song famous on Broadway almost three decades ago.

The Oscar winner snagged the best actress trophy ("I can't believe I'm still winning awards!" she said) and best new artist award.

Knowles, who led the nominees with six nods, picked up awards for best female R&B artist and video of the year for "Irreplaceable."

She also performed a show-stopping rendition of her dance anthem "Get Me Bodied" – followed by her Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly Rowland singing "Like This" with cameos from Eve, Michelle Williams and Beyoncé's sister Solange Knowles.

Later in the evening Diana Ross was given the lifetime achievement award, and urged younger performers to "keep it classy." Introduced by Alicia Keys and Ross's five children, the former Supreme was feted with a multi-song tribute that kicked off with Erykah Badu's cover of "Love Hangover."

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.