The 2026 BET Awards Best Moments: Keke Palmer, Teyana Taylor, Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill & More Black Women Stayed Winning
The 26th edition of the BET Awards included powerful tributes, massive wins, some hilarious segments and plenty of culture! The post The 2026 BET Awards Best Moments: Keke Palmer, Teyana Taylor, Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill & More Black Women Stayed Winning appeared first on MadameNoire.
Black News 
The BET Awards returned Sunday night with its 26th annual show, bringing “Culture’s Biggest Night” back to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Hosted by Druski, the 2026 ceremony celebrated the biggest names in Black music, film, TV, sports, fashion and culture, while also making room for the kind of tributes, viral jokes and live performance moments that have always separated BET from every other awards show.
This year’s show had a little bit of everything. Cardi B came in as the most-nominated artist of the night, Teyana Taylor left as one of the biggest winners, and legends like Ms. Lauryn Hill and Sylvia Rhone got the kind of flowers that felt bigger than a trophy. The night also featured performances from the aforementioned Cardi B, RAYE, Kehlani, Tems, T.I., Don Toliver, Baby Keem, French Montana, Rick Ross, Max B, and more.
As usual, the BET Awards were at their best when the show felt unpredictable. Some moments were emotional. Some were hilarious. Some were just reminders that when Black artists get a stage built for them, the night can turn into a concert, a family reunion, a roast session, and a history lesson all at once.
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Teyana Taylor Gets Surprised By Janet Jackson
Teyana Taylor’s Icon of the Year Award already felt like one of the night’s biggest moments, but BET took it up a level by having Janet Jackson present it to her. Taylor was visibly emotional as Jackson walked out, and the moment felt like a real passing of love from one multi-hyphenate icon to another. In her speech, Taylor reflected on working for 20 years, building her own dream while helping others build theirs, and finally accepting that “icon” title with gratitude.
The post The 2026 BET Awards Best Moments: Keke Palmer, Teyana Taylor, Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill & More Black Women Stayed Winning appeared first on MadameNoire.
