American actress and singer, Teyana Taylor, and hip-hop duo, Clipse, emerged as the biggest winners at the 2026 BET Awards, taking home three awards each.
The ceremony was held on Sunday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and was hosted by comedian Druski. According to a post on Billboard, the event, which was broadcast live on BET, also saw Kendrick Lamar and Kehlani win two awards each.
Taylor capped a successful year by winning Best Actress, Video Director of the Year and the newly introduced Fashion Vanguard Award.
She was also honored with the prestigious Icon of the Year award, one of the three honorary recognitions presented during the ceremony.
Her wins further strengthened her growing reputation as a multi-talented entertainer with strong influence in music, film, fashion and visual storytelling. Clipse also had a memorable night, winning three major awards across the music categories.
The duo won Album of the Year for Let God Sort ‘Em Out, Best Group, and Best Collaboration for “Chains & Whips,” their hit collaboration with Kendrick Lamar.
Lamar also extended his impressive BET Awards record after winning Best Male Hip Hop Artist for the ninth time, making him the most decorated artiste in the category.
Kehlani won her first Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award, ending SZA’s three-year dominance in the category. She also won Video of the Year for her hit song, “Folded.” British singer, Olivia Dean, who had earlier won Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, repeated the feat at the BET Awards.
With the win, she became only the fifth artiste to claim the Best New Artist category at both ceremonies. Cardi B won Best Female Hip Hop Artist, marking her third career victory in the category and her first since winning back-to-back honors in 2018 and 2019.
Leon Thomas was named Best Male R&B/Pop Artist for the first time, beating former winners Chris Brown, Usher and Bruno Mars.
In the film categories, Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, won Best Movie. Michael B. Jordan also won Best Actor for his performance in the film, earning his fourth victory in the category.
Music legend, Ms. Lauryn Hill, received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, while veteran music executive, Sylvia Rhone, was honored with the Ultimate Icon Award.
Sixteen-year-old journalist Jazlyn Guerra, popularly known as Jazzy’s World TV, won the YoungStars Award for her celebrity interviews and rising influence in entertainment journalism.
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Below is the Full List of Winners at the 2026 BET Awards
Music Categories
Album of the Year – Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist – Kehlani
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist – Leon Thomas
Best Female Hip Hop Artist – Cardi B
Best Male Hip Hop Artist – Kendrick Lamar
Best Group – Clipse
Best Collaboration – “Chains & Whips” – Clipse & Kendrick Lamar
Best New Artist – Olivia Dean
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award – “Headphones” — Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
BET Her Award – “girl, get up.” — Doechii feat. SZA
Viewers’ Choice Award – “Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist
Video of the Year – “Folded” — Kehlani
Video Director of the Year – Teyana “Spike-Tey” Taylor
General Categories
Fashion Vanguard Award – Teyana Taylor
The Pulse Award – Druski
Film and Television
Best Movie – Sinners
Best Actress – Teyana Taylor
Best Actor – Michael B. Jordan
YoungStars Award – Jazzy’s World TV
Sports Categories
Sportswoman of the Year – A’ja Wilson, Basketball
Sportsman of the Year – Jalen Brunson, Basketball
Artists With the Most Wins
Clipse – 3 awards
Teyana Taylor – 3 awards
Kehlani – 2 awards
Kendrick Lamar – 2 awards
Most Nominated Without a Win
Doja Cat – 4 nominations
Latto – 4 nominations
A$AP Rocky – 3 nominations
Bruno Mars – 3 nominations
Bryson Tiller – 3 nominations
Chris Brown – 3 nominations
Jill Scott – 3 nominations
Metro Boomin – 3 nominations
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – 3 nominations
Tems – 3 nominations
YK Niece – 3 nominations.
