Teyana Taylor continues to cement her standing as one of many leisure’s most versatile abilities. The singer, actress, and director earned recognition throughout a number of classes on the BET Awards, topping off an unforgettable night when she acquired the Icon of the 12 months Award from considered one of her largest inspirations, Janet Jackson.
On the BET Awards on June 28, multihyphenate Teyana Taylor acquired one of many evening’s largest honors, the Icon of the 12 months Award. Though the announcement was made weeks prematurely, the actress was unaware that Janet Jackson can be presenting the particular honorary award.
Taylor was in tears as Jackson spoke about her decades-long profession achievements. “You possess an unflinching perfectionism, a devotion woven into all the things you contact. Your focus and imaginative and prescient summon into being what most would name unimaginable,” mentioned Jackson, emphasizing what Taylor has achieved whereas elevating two youngsters. “A testomony to the best superhero the world will ever know, the Black girl,” Jackson continued.
Taylor was nonetheless wiping tears as she accepted the respect. “Oh my god, b-tch. I’m gagging… They didn’t inform me Janet was coming, b-tch. It’s so loopy,” she mentioned, leaping up and down on the stage.
The Singer Accepted The Award ‘With Gratitude’
In early June, BET revealed Taylor can be the recipient of the Icon of the 12 months Award, stating the popularity “belongs to the artistic power whose work, presence, and imaginative and prescient are setting the tone proper now.”
Throughout her acceptance speech, Teyana mentioned she initially felt “uncomfortable” with the title, however later embraced the respect. “I labored my a-s off 20 years for this. So I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with vanity, I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude,” she mentioned.
The singer then mirrored on her profession, explaining that she centered on fulfilling her desires whereas serving to others construct theirs. “I consider there’s room for all of us to win, even when which means pouring from my very own cup into another person’s, to allow them to overflow,” Taylor shared.
She informed the viewers how proud she was of the respect, promising she would “proceed to earn it.”
Teyana Taylor Acknowledged Her Mother and father And Kids
Taylor expressed gratitude to her dad and mom for educating her the “worth of greatness.” She additionally acknowledged her “best masterpiece,” her two daughters, 10-year-old Junie and 5-year-old Rue, whom she shares together with her ex-husband, Iman Shumpert.
“If at some point folks bear in mind me as an icon. I pray the 2 of you all the time bear in mind me merely as dwelling. Mommy loves you so, a lot,” Taylor mentioned, addressing her youngsters.
Taylor is extremely near her youngsters, typically bringing them to crimson carpets and high-profile occasions all through the years. She additionally has a detailed bond together with her mom, Nikki Taylor, who raised her as a single mom and serves as her supervisor.
The Acclaimed Actress Took Dwelling The Most Wins
Aside from taking dwelling the Icon of the 12 months Award, Taylor additionally earned aggressive wins, making her the most-awarded artist of the evening.
Taylor received Greatest Actress for her portrayal of Perfidia Beverly Hills within the motion thriller “One Battle After One other,” a efficiency that additionally earned her a Golden Globe in January.
Moreover, she took dwelling Video Director of the 12 months for the quick movie/visible album “Escape Room,” which she helmed beneath the pseudonym Spike Tey.
The 2026 BET Awards additionally launched a brand new class this 12 months, the Style Vanguard Award, to honor the determine whose fashion has made a cultural impression. Amongst these nominated are A$AP Rocky, Dangerous Bunny, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Colman Domingo, Doechii, Rihanna, and Zendaya, with Taylor taking dwelling the respect.
Teyana Taylor Provides One other Talent To Her Arsenal
Few entertainers have worn as many hats as Taylor. She first made her mark in leisure as a recording artist earlier than branching into performing, the place she delivered acclaimed performances in each movie and TV.
Past performing, Taylor has develop into an completed producer, director, choreographer, and inventive director. Her willingness to discover completely different artistic disciplines establishes her as one of the vital versatile artists.
In 2025, Taylor delved into a brand new specialty, sharing that she began coaching to develop into a chef. In Selection’s “Actors on Actors” collection, she informed Oscar Isaac that cooking retains her grounded amid her busy life. “It’s really the factor that provides me a couple of, to simply be quiet and prepare dinner,” she mentioned.
Throughout her speech on the BET Awards, she revealed that she’s going to graduate from culinary college in September, including yet one more accomplishment to her already spectacular resume.
