Teyana Taylor Crowned BET Icon of the Year in Emotive Awards Moment

Teyana Taylor was crowned BET Awards 2026 Icon of the Year in Los Angeles, receiving the honor from Janet Jackson; after Jackson’s surprise appearance, Taylor cried and delivered an emotional speech thanking Jackson while reflecting on a 20-year, multi‑faceted career as dancer, choreographer, actress, director and more, with recent projects including the action film The Rip and the 2025 release One Battle After Another. The Icon of the Year honor recognizes culturally influential artists, and Taylor has previously won BET awards for Video Director of the Year (2020, 2023) and Fashion Vanguard in 2026, emphasizing she earned the title with gratitude rather than arrogance.