Teyana Taylor cried when Janet Jackson presented her with the Icon of the Year award at the 2026 BET Awards.
The fact that the “Control” singer was willing to present this honor to Taylor has remained a secret, even from the Golden Globe-winning actress herself.
“Oh my god, bitch, I’m disgusted,” Taylor said as she took to the stage to accept the recognition. “They didn’t tell me Janet was coming, bitch, and it’s so crazy because when Kehlani said, ‘Janet is here,’ I was like, bitch, is this the surprise? I wasn’t sure!”
Taylor began by thanking Jackson, whom she described as her “biggest inspiration.”
Taylor said of Jackson: “I love you so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you for always seeing me. Thank you for every text, every hug, every talk. You are my biggest inspiration.” “Everyone who knows me knows how I feel about you, and the fact that you took the time to be here to celebrate with me, it’s crazy. I love you so much. Like, you don’t even understand.”
The Golden Globe winner spoke about her time in the industry in her speech, noting that she “wondered if I was supposed to feel uncomfortable saying that title out loud,” referring to her Icon of the Year award.
“But no, I worked my ass off for 20 years for this,” Taylor said. “So I don’t accept what I’ve earned arrogantly; I accept what I’ve earned with gratitude. And this year alone, I will continue to introduce the world to the artist, actress, director, choreographer, creative director, designer, designer, writer, producer and chef!”
“I graduated in September,” she said, referring to her viral project as a culinary school student.
She continued: “I’ve spent most of my career building my own dream while helping someone else build theirs because I believe there’s room for all of us to win, even if it means pouring from my own cup into someone else’s cup so they can pass, not because I had to, but because that’s who I am. That’s pretty creative if you ask me. Because this business can be so vicious.”
“It teaches us competition,” she said. “But I’ve never believed that my success should cause someone else’s success. If I know something, I should teach it. If I open a door, I should grab it. If I have a platform, I should make room for another voice.” “Thank you, because I believe that greatness is not measured by the number of people standing under you. It is measured by the number of people standing next to you because you are willing to reach out. That is the only legacy I care about.”
Teyana Taylor receives the Icon of the Year award at the #BETAwards.
“I believe that greatness is not measured by the number of people under you, it is measured by the number of people who stand beside you because you are willing to reach out.” pic.twitter.com/f7U4Aip370
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 29, 2026
Taylor also thanked her mother, father, and two daughters. “To my greatest masterpiece, my two children, Johnny and Roo,” Taylor said. “If people ever remember me as an icon, I pray that you will always remember me as home.” “Your mother loves you so much. I love you, and you better watch me and turn off their damn phones, like usual.”
before Battle after battle The actress gave her acceptance speech, and was seen crying in the audience as Jackson took the Peacock Theater stage. The five-time Grammy Award winner praised Taylor’s accomplishments while introducing her and thanking her for their friendship.
“It seems like only yesterday that a Rose of Harlem emerged from the concrete. It blossomed into our Icon of the Year. I’ve enjoyed watching you, you know, over the years. Seeing you defy expectations, rewrite the rules, and lead with an unstoppable work ethic,” Jackson said. “You possess an unwavering perfectionism, a dedication woven into everything you touch. Your focus and vision call into existence what most would call the impossible. You carry a calling from above, and the world becomes brighter with the art you give it. This year, it belongs to you.”
After two decades in the industry, Taylor had a tremendous year, earning her first Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe award associated with her role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Oscar-winning film. Battle after battle. Aside from taking home the Icon of the Year award at the 2026 BET Awards, Taylor also won the Fashion Vanguard Award for Actress and Video Director of the Year.
Jackson praised Taylor’s accomplishments, noting her “Grammy nomination for your last album, Escape room. A collection of nominations for your multi-layered performance in the Oscar-winning film, Battle after battle. She stood head-to-head with some of our industry’s heavyweights, theatrical actors, and took home the coveted Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. All while raising two beautiful girls is your greatest accomplishment.
Taylor reflected on her busy year in a cover interview with Hollywood Reporter.
“You can see my patience in this game since I was 15, doing a little bit of everything,” she said. “This moment is much more difficult than if everything had gone my way when I wanted it to.”
The 2026 BET Awards aired live on Sunday, June 28 at 8pm from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on BET and other Paramount Networks.
See the full list of 2026 BET Awards winners here, and check out all the arrivals looks here.
