Jamie Foxx and his 17-year-old daughter, Anelise Bishop, turned the BET Awards into a family moment—joining Kehlani for a guitar-and-piano performance of “Folded” on June 28 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
The crowd at the BET Awards got the kind of surprise that feels scripted only in movies: Jamie Foxx walked out to play piano, then brought his 17-year-old daughter, Anelise Bishop, into the spotlight as Kehlani sang and the audience watched a family performance unfold live.
On June 28. at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Foxx introduced Bishop to the audience as he sat down at the keys. Bishop then accompanied Kehlani on guitar during the performance of “Folded. ” a song Foxx said he’d been “vibing out to all year.” Foxx also sang a few bars of the track alongside Kehlani—turning what was already a major moment into something personal and. for fans watching closely. quietly historic.
Kehlani had told Billboard ahead of the performance that this would be her final big “Folded” moment. “This is my final farewell ‘Folded’ performance. It’s not like I’m never singing the song again, but this is my last hoorah big ‘Folded’ moment and then we need to sing a new song,” they said.
“Folded” came with the kind of awards-season momentum that makes live appearances hit harder. The track earned nominations for Video of the Year and Viewer’s Choice. Kehlani also won Best Female R&B/Pop Artist at the BET Awards 2026. Foxx, meanwhile, had been previously honored with the Ultimate Icon Honor at the BET Awards 2025.
That night’s show wasn’t short on power names either. Performers included Cardi B, Common, Doechii, Don Toliver, French Montana, Queen Latifah, BJ the Chicago Kid and Alexia Jay.
The father-daughter partnership didn’t start at that stage, either. Foxx later revealed a hospital story about Bishop “snuck into” to play music for him—when his vitals were going down. she began playing the guitar beside his bed to lift his spirits. “The nurses at the nurses’ station were baffled. Like, ‘Wow, what did they give him?’ They rushed into the room and she said, ‘Ssh. I got him.’ … Do you know what I found out?. That God was in that guitar. That’s my spiritual defibrillator,” Foxx shared.
Music runs deep in the family. In a 2020 interview with Entertainment Tonight. Foxx described Bishop’s talent. saying. “My 11-year-old knows how to play the piano so well. she actually plays my songs while I listen to them. She said. ‘I am going on tour with you.’ I am blessed. we are blessed.” In a December 2024 Netflix Special. Jamie Foxx: What Happened Was…. he also linked Bishop’s love of music to his recovery from a brain stroke in April 2024.
Not every part of Bishop’s world is built on a stage. She’s also a sports enthusiast. In a 2019 interview with Good Morning America. Foxx praised her basketball skills. revealing. “Her last game before COVID. she was playing with the boys. she had 21 points. 17 rebounds. 5 blocks.” In a 2018 appearance on Live With Kelly and Ryan. he added that Bishop loves football too. saying. “She’s playing football with all the boys. She’s playing flag football and she’s the only girl in the league. When she got on the football field, at first, they didn’t want to throw it to her. But I said, ‘Anelise, when you’re out, do like this,’ Foxx said, waving his hands. ‘She waved her hand and they threw it to her and she hit for like a 60-yarder. It was crazy.’”.
The BET Awards performance also carried a personal aftertaste. After the show, a guest later told People, “Jamie is really a sweet father. He was by the girl the entire night and left the party to put her to bed.” The same guest said Bishop played Foxx’s song “In Love By Now.” Foxx and Bishop had performed together before as well—back in 2022. they played at a private concert in Dallas.
All of it helps explain why the moment on that Los Angeles stage landed so well: it wasn’t just a surprise appearance. It was a family story, in real time—piano to guitar, “Folded” to a final goodbye—wrapped in the kind of care Foxx has been describing for years.
Jamie Foxx Anelise Bishop Kehlani BET Awards 2026 Folded Peacock Theater Los Angeles father daughter performance music
Jamie Foxx really be everywhere lol
So he played piano and then brought his daughter like… that’s actually kinda sweet. But also why does it feel like a publicity stunt? Like I’m happy, I’m just confused.
Folded being Kehlani’s “final” moment like she’s never doing it again?? I swear I heard this song at another award show last year though. And BET Awards 2026 already?? time travel vibes. Also the guitar and piano part sounds fake cinematic like the article says.
Anelise Bishop has to be older than 17 right? I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere. Jamie Foxx singing a few bars is cool but I can’t get over the fact they dropped the whole “farewell” thing like it’s a season finale. If it’s really a goodbye, then why are they still hyping it with nominations like that makes no sense to me.