The iconic, inimitable, ELLE cover starring Pharrell Williams was honoured at the Black Entertainment Television Awards in LA yesterday. He scooped two awards for best male R&B/pop artist and video of the year for Happy.

Pharrell also had the task of opening the show. His performance of Come Get It Bae was the highlight of the evening not least because Missy Elliott surprised the audience by storming on stage to rap Pass That Dutch with the Happy singer.

Post show Pharrell tweeted his Missy appreciation: ‘Love you @MissyElliott. Thank you for performing with me. #TheEmpress #Virginia #BaeUniversity #BETAwards @BET’

John Legend, Iggy Azalea and Nicki Minaj also performed at the awards ceremony held at the Nokia Theatre in LA (and Nicki bagged her fifth consecutive win for best female hip-hop artist). Lionel Richie won the lifetime achievement award and a tribute was paid to late author Maya Angelou.

A pre-recorded performance of Partition by Beyoncé and Jay Z closed the show.

Download the digital edition of ELLE featuring Pharrell