Teyana Taylor had a night she will never forget at the 2026 BET Awards. The multi-talented star received the Icon of the Year award from her biggest inspiration, Janet Jackson, and the moment moved her to tears. The ceremony took place on Sunday, June 28, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Taylor was visibly shocked when Jackson walked onto the stage. She had no idea the music legend would be presenting her with the honor. “Oh my God. B-tch, I’m gagging,” Taylor said as she took the stage. She later explained that she got a hint from singer Kehlani that Jackson was at the venue, but she still did not believe it would happen. “They did not tell me Janet was coming,” Taylor said through tears.
Janet Jackson’s Emotional Tribute
Jackson delivered a moving speech before presenting the award. She praised Taylor’s journey from Harlem to becoming one of the most versatile artists in entertainment. “It seems like only yesterday, our rose from Harlem grew out of the concrete and blossomed into our Icon of the Year,” Jackson said.
The five-time Grammy winner spoke about Taylor’s hard work and dedication. “I’ve enjoyed watching you over the years. Watching you defy expectations, rewrite the rules and lead with an unstoppable work ethic,” Jackson shared. She also noted Taylor’s recent achievements, including her Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination for her role in One Battle After Another.
Jackson added, “The world is made more luminous with the art that you have given it. This year, it belongs to you.”
Teyana Taylor’s Tearful Acceptance Speech
Taylor could not hold back her emotions as she accepted the honor. Before talking about herself, she made sure to thank Jackson for being a guiding light in her life. “I love you so much. Thank you for always seeing me. Thank you for every text, every hug, every talk. You are my biggest inspiration,” Taylor said. She then spoke the words that captured the moment perfectly: “There would be no me without you.”
The 35-year-old artist then reflected on her 20-year career. She admitted that she wondered if she should feel uncomfortable being called an “icon.” “Tonight they handed me a title and that title is Icon of the Year. For a little minute, I wondered if I was supposed to feel uncomfortable saying that title out loud,” she said. But she quickly pushed that doubt aside. “But nah, I worked my ass off 20 years for this. So I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with arrogance, I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude.”
Taylor also talked about the importance of helping others succeed. She described the entertainment business as “very wicked” because it teaches people to compete. But she shared that she has never believed her success had to cost someone else 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,” she said. “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.”
She ended her speech by dedicating the award to her daughters, Iman “Junie” Tayla, 10, and Rue Rose, 5. “If one day people remember me as an icon, I pray the two of you always remember me simply as home,” Taylor said.
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A Night of Multiple Wins
The Icon of the Year award was not the only win for Taylor at the 2026 BET Awards. She also took home three other trophies during the night. She won Video Director of the Year, the Fashion Vanguard Award, and Best Actress. These wins made her one of the top winners of the evening.
Taylor has had a massive year. She starred in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another, which won an Oscar. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and an Academy Award nomination. She also released her album Escape Room, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.
Comedian Druski hosted the ceremony, making history as the youngest host ever for the BET Awards. The show featured performances from artists like Cardi B, Raye, Kehlani, Doechii, and Don Toliver.
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