Teyana Taylor emerged as the biggest winner at the 2026 BET Awards after taking home multiple honours, while Cardi B, Leon Thomas, Kehlani and NBA star Jalen Brunson also secured top prizes during the ceremony celebrating achievements across music, film and sports.
Hosted by comedian Druski, this year’s ceremony also recognised industry icons, with Taylor receiving the Icon of the Year Award, music executive Sylvia Rhone honoured with the Ultimate Icon Award, and Ms. Lauryn Hill presented with the Living Legend Icon Award.
Accepting her Icon of the Year Award, Taylor urged unity and collaboration within the entertainment industry.
“There’s room for all of us to win. This business is wicked, you know. It teaches us to compete, but I’ve never believed that my success had to call someone else’s theirs. If I know something, I should teach it. If I open a door, I should hold it. If I have a platform, I should make room for another voice.”
Taylor, who also won Best Actress, Fashion Vanguard and Video Director of the Year, said true greatness is measured by uplifting others rather than standing above them.
“Because I believe greatness isn’t measured by how many people stand beneath you, it’s measured by how many people stand beside you because you’re willing to reach back, that’s the only legacy I care about. So tonight I will wear this title loud and proud because I promise to continue to earn it.”
Music executive Sylvia Rhone used her acceptance speech to warn that rapid technological change poses fresh challenges to the music industry, urging creatives to remain actively involved in shaping its future.
“Music needs us to stand up for it like never before, because we are living through a time of massive technological change. The possibilities are super exciting, but we must stay as active on the tech side of music as we are on the soulful side. We make the algorithm, the algorithm doesn’t make us.”
LIST OF ALL WINNERS AT THE 2026 BET AWARDS
Best Male R&B / Pop Artist: Leon Thomas
Best Female R&B / Pop Artist: Kehlani
BET Her Award: “Girl, Get Up,” Doechii and SZA
Album of the Year: Let God Sort Them Out, Clipse
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Cardi B
Fashion Vanguard: Teyana Taylor
Pulse Award: Druski
Video Director of the Year: Teyana Taylor
Best Actress: Teyana Taylor
Sportswoman of the Year: A’ja Wilson
Sportsman of the Year: Jalen Brunson
Erizia Rubyjeana
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