Teyana Taylor fought back tears at the BET Awards on Sunday night as Janet Jackson made a surprise appearance to present her with the Icon of the Year Award.
The singer, actor and director was overcome with emotion as Jackson praised her “unstoppable” work ethic and “God-given” talents before handing her the honor. “They did not tell me Janet was coming,” Taylor said. “There will be no me without you.”
The One Battle After Another star was one of the night’s big winners, also taking home Best Actress, Video Director of the Year and the new Fashion Vanguard Award. ” I worked my a** off 20 years,” she said. “So I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with arrogance. I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude.”
Meanwhile, Lauryn Hill won the Living Legend Icon Award and performed two tracks, “Ex-Factor” and “Everything Is Everything.” She also received a 20-minute tribute from artists including SZA, Doechii, Lizzo, Queen Latifah and Common.
Hill told the audience: “Thank you all the legends and all the greats who paved the road for all of us. Let’s celebrate each other. Let’s honor each other. Let’s respect each other.”
Other winners included Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, Michael B. Jordan and Olivia Dean. See the full list of winners in bold below.
And the 2026 BET Award winners are…
Viewers’ Choice Award Voting
“Burning Blue”: Mariah the Scientist — winner
“Chains & Whips”: Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar
“I Just Might”: Bruno Mars
“It Depends”: Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller
“Man I Need”: Olivia Dean
“Raindance”: Dave and Tems
“Take Me Thru Dere”: Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece and DJ Spinz
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Best Group
Metro Boomin and DJ Spinz
Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon
Best Collaboration
“Chains & Whips”: Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar — winner
“Errtime Remix”: Cardi B feat. Jeezy and Latto
“Go Girl”: Summer Walker feat. Latto and Doja Cat
“Good Flirts”: Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar and Momo Boyd
“Is It a Crime”: Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis
“It Depends (The Remix)”: Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller and Usher
“Take Me Thru Dere”: Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece and DJ Spinz
“wgft”: Gunna feat. Burna Boy
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Kendrick Lamar — winner
Video of the Year
“Folded”: Kehlani — winner
“Burning Blue”: Mariah the Scientist
“Escape Room (Short Film)”: Teyana Taylor
“Luther”: Kendrick Lamar and SZA
Video Director of the Year
Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor — winner
A$AP Rocky and Dan Streit
Cardi B and Patientce Foster
Best New Artist
Album of the Year
Let God Sort Em Out: Clipse — winner
Don’t Tap the Glass: Tyler, The Creator
Everything Is A Lot.: Wale
Hearts Sold Separately: Mariah the Scientist
Mutt Deluxe: Heel: Leon Thomas
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“Headphones”: Lecrae, Killer Mike and T.I. — winner
“Able (Remix)”: Darrel Walls, PJ Morton and Kim Burrell
“All to Thee”: BeBe Winans
“Already Good (Tasha Slide)”: Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“At the Cross”: CeCe Winans
“Church”: Tasha Cobbs Leonard and John Legend
“Do It Again”: Kirk Franklin
Best Actress
Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan — winner
YoungStars Award
Jazzy’s World TV — winner
Graceyn “Gracie” Hollingsworth
Best Movie
Number One on the Call Sheet
Sportswoman of the Year
A’ja Wilson (Basketball) — winner
Claressa Shields (Boxing)
Flau’jae Johnson (Basketball)
Gabby Thomas (Track & Field)
Jordan Chiles (Gymnastics)
Sha’Carri Richardson (Track and Field)
Sportsman of the Year
Jalen Brunson (Basketball) — winner
Anthony Edwards (Basketball)
Caleb Williams (Football)
LeBron James (Basketball)
Shedeur Sanders (Football)
Stephen Curry (Basketball)
BET Her Award
“Girl, Get Up”: Doechii feat. Sza — winner
“Already Good (Tasha Slide)”: Tasha Cobbs Leonard
“Be Great”: Jill Scott feat. Trombone Shorty
“Beautiful People”: Jill Scott
“Go Girl”: Summer Walker feat. Latto and Doja Cat
Fashion Vanguard Award
Pulse Award
Baby, This is Keke Palmer