The BET Awards 2026 winners were crowned on Sunday, 28 June 2026, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, with Teyana Taylor and Clipse leading the night and Kendrick Lamar making history.
Held at the Peacock Theatre, the ceremony was hosted by comedian Druski and turned into a night of firsts, as reported by Billboard.
Teyana Taylor and Clipse walked away as the biggest BET Awards 2026 winners, each taking home three competitive trophies across music, fashion and visuals.
Teyana Taylor leads the BET Awards 2026 winners
Taylor had a huge night. She won best actress, video director of the year and the fashion vanguard award, then collected the inaugural Icon of the Year honour from a surprise presenter, Janet Jackson.
The double-up easily made her the headline name among this year’s BET Awards 2026 winners.
Accepting the icon trophy, Taylor got emotional. “Tonight they handed me a title, and that title is Icon of the Year,” she said.
“And for a little minute I wondered if I was supposed to feel uncomfortable saying that title out loud.”
She kept it humble and bold at once. “I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with arrogance, I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude,” Taylor said, before adding that there is “room for all of us to win.” She closed with, “That’s pretty damn iconic, if you ask me.”
Clipse and Kendrick Lamar share the BET Awards 2026 spotlight
Clipse matched Taylor’s haul with three wins, including album of the year for Let God Sort ‘Em Out, best group and best collaboration for Chains & Whips with Kendrick Lamar.
The duo’s comeback project turned into one of the most decorated of the night.
Lamar added to his record books too. He won best male hip-hop artist for a ninth time, extending his grip on the category. Kehlani also broke through, taking best female R&B/pop artist for the first time and video of the year for Folded, ending SZA’s three-year run.
There were big honorary moments as well. Ms. Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, while music executive Sylvia Rhone was named the Ultimate Icon recipient.
Michael B. Jordan won best actor, and 16-year-old Jazlyn Guerra, known as Jazzy’s World TV, took the rising star award.
Attention now turns to how this year’s class builds on the momentum, with Clipse touring their album and Taylor carrying fresh awards-season buzz into film.
The next BET Awards cycle opens later in 2026, and Sunday’s results have set an early marker for who to watch.
