Teyana Taylor was honored with the Icon of the 12 months Award on the 2026 BET Awards on Sunday night time (June 28).
Janet Jackson, who’s Taylor’s major creative inspiration, made a shock look to current the Harlem-bred polymath with the award, which caught Taylor off guard and noticed her instantly break down in tears.
“It looks like solely yesterday, our rose from Harlem grew out of the concrete and blossomed into our Icon of the 12 months. I’ve loved watching you, as you understand, through the years,” Jackson gushed. “Watching you defy expectations, rewrite the foundations and lead with an unstoppable work ethic.”
Rocking a 2Pac T-shirt, the pop icon continued: “The world is made extra luminous with the artwork that you’ve got given it. This 12 months, it belongs to you.”
Overcome with emotion, Taylor wiped her tears and hit a Janet Jackson-esque strut throughout the stage in a blue gown to just accept the Icon of the 12 months Award, however made certain to present Jackson her flowers earlier than turning the highlight to herself.
“I like you a lot,” Taylor stated to Jackson. “Thanks for all the time seeing me. Thanks for each textual content, each hug, each speak. You’re my greatest inspiration. Everyone who I do know is aware of how I really feel about you. The very fact you even took out the time to be right here and have a good time with me, that is loopy. I like you a lot. There can be no me with out you.”
Taylor went on: “Tonight they handed me a title and that title is Icon of the 12 months. For slightly minute, I puzzled if I used to be presupposed to be really feel uncomfortable saying that title out loud. However nah, I labored my a– off 20 years for this. So I’m not what I’ve earned with vanity, I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude.”
Taylor urged the significance of pouring into others, as she believed that serving to others doesn’t imply she has to dim her personal gentle. “So tonight I’ll put on this title loud and proud as a result of I promise to proceed to earn it,” she added.
Teyana Taylor is coming off a banner 2025, which included her starring within the Oscar-winning One Battle After One other. For her efficiency as Perfidia, she picked up a Golden Globe Award and a nomination on the Academy Awards. The 34-year-old additionally launched her Escape Room album, which debuted at No. 67 on the Billboard 200.
Spike Tee additionally picked up an extra three BET Awards, for video director of the 12 months, the style vanguard award and finest actress.
Watch Taylor’s full speech under.
