Teyana Taylor delivered one of the most emotional moments of the 2026 BET Awards after bursting into tears when music icon Janet Jackson surprised her by presenting her with the prestigious Icon of the Year award.
The actress, singer and creative powerhouse was visibly overwhelmed as Jackson walked onto the stage to announce her honor.”Oh my God… I’m gagging, they did not tell me Janet was coming,” Taylor exclaimed as she embraced one of her biggest inspirations.
The unforgettable moment capped off a remarkable night for the 35-year-old star, who also won Best Actress, Video Director of the Year, and the Fashion Vanguard Award, making her one of the ceremony’s biggest winners.
During her emotional acceptance speech, Taylor reflected on her two-decade journey in the entertainment industry.”I worked my ass off for 20 years for this,” she told the audience while wiping away tears and clearing the fog from her glasses.
She added that she accepted the honor not with pride, but with gratitude, celebrating the many roles she has embraced throughout her career as an artist, actress, director, choreographer, producer, writer, stylist, designer and entrepreneur. Taylor also proudly revealed that she recently graduated from culinary school, adding another achievement to her growing list of accomplishments.
Her incredible year has included a Golden Globe win, an Academy Award nomination for her role in One Battle After Another, and a Grammy nomination for her album Escape Room.Taylor used the moment to encourage unity within the entertainment industry, saying true greatness is measured by lifting others up rather than competing against them.
Another unforgettable highlight of the evening came when legendary singer Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award. The tribute featured performances by several major artists before Hill herself surprised the audience with a powerful live performance.
Addressing the crowd, Hill encouraged people to embrace their unique talents and never underestimate the value of their gifts, reminding everyone that their abilities could make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life.The 2026 BET Awards celebrated excellence across music, film and culture, but it was Teyana Taylor’s heartfelt speech and Lauryn Hill’s inspiring tribute that left the strongest impression on viewers.
