Janet Jackson Honors Teyana Taylor as Icon of the Year

Janet Jackson took the stage at the 2026 BET Awards on June 28 and presented Teyana Taylor with the Icon of the Year honor, delivering a tearful speech while praising her work ethic, onscreen success, and life as a mom. Taylor, surprised by Janet’s appearance,

Janet Jackson didn’t just walk onstage at the 2026 BET Awards on Sunday evening (June 28) to present an award—she brought a moment that landed hard. The 60-year-old entertainer. known for “All For You. ” took her place to honor Teyana Taylor with the Icon of the Year award. and she got emotional as she spoke.

Jackson described Teyana’s rise by saying it “seems like only yesterday a rose from Harlem grew out of the concrete. and blossomed into our Icon of the Year.” She praised the way Taylor has “defy[ed] expectations. rewrite[n] the rules and lead[ed] with an unstoppable work ethic. ” adding that Taylor’s “unflinching perfectionism” and “devotion” shine in everything she touches. The tribute continued with Jackson telling the audience. “You carry a calling from above. and the world is made more luminous with the art that you have given it. This year, it belongs to you.”.

She also made it clear she wasn’t just recognizing a single milestone. Jackson commended Taylor “on all of her accomplishments. all while being a mom. ” naming a Grammy nomination for her latest album. Escape Room. She pointed to “a host of nominations for your layered performance in the Oscar-winning film. One Battle After Another. ” and said Taylor “stood toe to toe with some of major heavyweights. thespians in our industry. ” before highlighting that Taylor “picked up a coveted Golden Globe for best supporting actress.”.

While Jackson spoke, Teyana’s response was all joy and disbelief. During her acceptance speech, she fangirled over Janet presenting her with the award. “Oh my God. B-tch, I’m gagging,” Taylor said. She added that she “did not tell me Janet was coming. b-tch. ” and she explained how the surprise came together after Kehlani said. “Janet is here.” Taylor said she responded. “b-tch. is that the surprise?. I wasn’t sure!”.

Taylor then used the microphone to thank Jackson for seeing her over the years. “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,” she said. She also underlined how meaningful it was that Jackson took the time “to be here to celebrate with me. ” calling it “crazy” and adding. “I love you so much. Like, you don’t even understand.”.

As she looked back on her career, Taylor questioned what it might feel like to say the title out loud. “Teyana continued. looking back at her time in the industry and wondering ‘if I was supposed to feel uncomfortable saying that title out loud.’” Then she answered herself with intention: “But no. I worked my ass off 20 years for this.”.

She made clear what the award meant in the way she sees her own momentum. “So I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with arrogance; I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude.” Taylor also laid out the range of roles she’s taken on. saying that this year alone she continues to give the world “the artist. actress. director. choreographer. creative director. stylist. designer. writer. producer and chef!”.

Taylor’s acceptance stayed personal, but it also came with a philosophy about success. She said “Most of my career has been spent building my own dream while helping somebody else build theirs because I believe there’s room for all of us to win. ” explaining that it can mean “pouring from my own cup into someone else’s so they can overflow.” She added. “not because I had to. but because that’s just who I am. That’s pretty damn iconic if you ask me. Because this business can be very wicked.”.

She addressed competition directly too, saying, “It teaches us to compete. But I’ve never believed that my success had to cause someone else’s theirs. If I know something, I should teach it. If I open the door, I should hold it. If I have a platform, I should make room for another voice.”

In the closing beats of her remarks. Taylor reframed legacy in a way that felt like a challenge and an invitation. “Thank you, because I believe greatness isn’t measured by how many people stand beneath you. It’s measured by how many people stand beside you because you’re willing to reach back. That’s the only legacy I care about.”.

Taylor also thanked her parents and her daughters. Junie and Rue. calling them “my greatest masterpiece.” “If one day people remember me as an icon. I pray the two of you. always remember me simply as home. ” she said. “Mommy loves you so, so much. I love you, and you better be watching me and off them goddamn phones, per usual.”.

If you missed the night’s moment, photos show Teyana Taylor on the carpet earlier in the evening, along with pictures of Janet Jackson walking the carpet, and more images of both stars on stage at the BET Awards.

BET Awards 2026 Janet Jackson Teyana Taylor Icon of the Year Escape Room One Battle After Another Golden Globe Grammy nomination Junie and Rue