Hosted by comedian Druski at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the 2026 BET Awards delivered exactly what fans have come to expect: unforgettable performances, emotional tributes, history-making wins and plenty of viral moments. Honouring Black excellence across music, film and culture.
These are some the moments that stole the show:
Janet Jackson's surprise appearance left Teyana Taylor in tears
One of the night's most emotional moments came when Janet Jackson made a surprise appearance to present Teyana Taylor with the first-ever BET Icon of the Year Award. Completely caught off guard, Taylor became visibly emotional as the music legend walked on stage to a standing ovation. Fighting back tears, she thanked Jackson for inspiring generations of artists, saying there "would be no me without you." The heartfelt exchange quickly became one of the ceremony's most shared moments.
Teyana Taylor had a career-defining night
The Icon of the Year award wasn't Teyana's only victory. She walked away as one of the evening's biggest winners, collecting four awards, including Fashion Vanguard, Best Actress and Video Director of the Year for her visual project Escape Room. After two decades in entertainment, the recognition felt like the culmination of years spent excelling as a singer, actress, choreographer and creative director.
Lauryn Hill received a hero's tribute
Lauryn Hill's legacy was celebrated in spectacular fashion. She was honoured with the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award following a star-studded tribute featuring performances from artists including Doja Cat, Queen Latifah, Nas, SZA, Lizzo and Rapsody. The celebration reached another level when she surprised the audience by joining the performers on stage herself, reminding everyone why her catalogue continues to influence generations.
Druski made history as the youngest BET Awards host
Comedian, Druski brought a fresh energy to the ceremony as the youngest person ever to host the BET Awards. His opening monologue blended comedy with heartfelt appreciation for Black culture, while celebrity cameos and playful interactions throughout the night kept audiences entertained both inside the venue and online.
RAYE's stellar performance
British singer-songwriter, RAYE earned one of the evening's loudest standing ovations with a stunning live performance of "Nightingale Lane." Known for her powerful vocals, she proved exactly why she's become one of music's most exciting performers, delivering a stripped-back performance that resonated with both fans and fellow artists.
The BET stage celebrated generations of Black music
From Cardi B's high-energy performance to appearances from Kehlani, Doechii, Don Toliver, Common and Queen Latifah, the show seamlessly blended today's chart-toppers with legendary performers. The ceremony also honoured the legacy of D'Angelo through a moving tribute led by his children and fellow artists, while music executive Sylvia Rhone received the Ultimate Icon Award for her decades-long impact on the industry.
The red carpet looks
The BET Awards red carpet once again proved that fashion is just as much a part of the celebration as the music. From Janet Jackson's timeless elegance to standout looks from Keke Palmer, Lizzo, Coco Jones, Queen Latifah, Kelly Rowland and Cardi B, celebrities embraced bold tailoring, dramatic silhouettes and statement glamour, making the arrivals almost as talked about as the awards themselves.
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