Beyonce [ tickets ] set the pace as nominations for the BET Awards '07 were announced Wednesday (5/16), with the singer and "Dreamgirls" star scooping up six nods.

The R&B songstress collected twice as many bids as the closest hopefuls, a group that included Jay-Z [ tickets ], Jennifer Hudson [ tickets ], Ciara [ tickets ], Akon and Gnarls Barkley, all of whom received three nominations apiece.

Beyonce [ tickets ]'s haul guarantees her plenty of face time on the June 26 awards show, which will air live on the cable network from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The singer was tabbed for Best Female R&B Artist, Best Collaboration (for her duets with Jay-Z [ tickets ] on "Deja Vu" and "Upgrade U"), Video of the Year (for "Irreplaceable"and "Beautiful Liar," a duet with Shakira) and also in the Viewer's Choice Award category.

Newcomer Robin Thicke scored a pair of nominations: Best R&B Artist and Viewer's Choice Award, both for his hit "Lost Without You." Other performers receiving two nominations apiece included Ludacris, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, the late Gerald Levert, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Mary Mary and Corrine Bailey Rae.

Comedian/actor Mo'Nique will return to host the event for the third time.

BET will also bestow a pair of special honors. Diana Ross will appear during the broadcast to receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award, while actor Don Cheadle will be presented with BET's Humanitarian Award for his efforts to end the genocide in Darfur.

"Diana Ross' impact on the cultural landscape is almost impossible to measure," said Reginald Hudlin, BET's president of entertainment, in a statement. "Her achievements as an artist extend across the medium and decades. Don Cheadle is one of the best actors today--period. He uses the credibility he's built with the audiences to call attention to one of the most pressing global crisis in the world today. We're grateful for his art and his heart."

Viewers at home will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite performers in the Viewers Choice Award category by logging into the network's website or texting their choice through their cell phones. Additionally, viewers will also be able to upload and enter videos on BET.com, some of which will be used as introductions for categories in the awards show.

"The BET Awards ... [have] always belonged to the audience, but this year we're making it their show," said Stephen Hill, executive producer for the awards show, in a press release.