Janet Jackson hit the scene at 2026 BET Awards on Sunday evening (June 28) to present a special award.
The 60-year-old entertainer “All For You” singer gave a speech in the honor Teyana Taylor with the award for icon of the year.
During her speech, Janet praised One match after another star as she cried as she watched.
“It seems like only yesterday a Harlem rose grew out of the concrete. and blossomed into our Icon of the Year. I’ve enjoyed watching you, as you know, over the years. Watching you defy expectations, rewrite the rules, and lead with an unstoppable work ethic,” she said. “You possess an unwavering perfectionism, a devotion that is woven into everything you touch. Your focus and vision conjure up what most would call impossible. You carry a calling from above, and the world is made brighter with the art you have given it. This year, it belongs to you.”
She also praised Teyana on all her achievements, all while being a mother.
“Grammy nomination for your latest album, Escape Rooms. A host of nominations for your layered performance in the Oscar-winning film, One match after another. You stood toe to toe with some of the great heavyweights, thespians in our industry, and you won a coveted Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. All while raising two beautiful girls, your greatest achievement.”
During her acceptance speech, Teyana fangirled over Janet presents her with the award.
“Oh my God. B-tch, I’m gagging,” she said. “They didn’t tell me Janet come on, b-tch, and it’s so crazy, for when Kehlani said, ‘Janet is here,” I said, b-tch, is that the surprise? I wasn’t sure!”
“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,” Teyana added. “Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about you, the fact that you even took the time to be here to celebrate with me, this is crazy. I love you so much. You don’t even understand.”
Teyana continued, looking back on his time in the industry and wondering “if I should feel uncomfortable saying that title out loud.”
“But no, I worked for 20 years for this,” she told me. “So I don’t accept what I’ve earned with arrogance; I accept what I’ve earned with gratitude. And this year alone, I continue to give the world the artist, actress, director, choreographer, creative director, stylist, designer, writer, producer and chef!”
“Most of my career has been 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 my own cup into someone else’s so they can overflow, not because I had to, but because it’s just who I am. It’s pretty damn iconic, if you ask me. Because this business can be very mean.”
“It teaches us to compete. But I never thought that my success should cause someone else’s. If I know something, I should learn it. If I open the door, I should keep it. If I have a platform, I should give room to another voice,” she added. “Thank you because I believe that greatness is not measured by how many people stand below you. It is measured by how many people stand beside you because you are willing to reach back. That is the only legacy I care about.”
Teyana also thanked his parents and his daughters, June and Ruecalling them “my greatest masterpiece”.
“If one day people remember me as an icon, I ask you two, always remember me as home,” she said. “Mommy loves you so, so much. I love you and you better watch me and off the damn phones, as usual.”
If you missed it, check pictures of Teyana on the carpet earlier in the night, as well pictures of Janet walk on the carpet.
See more photos of Teyana Taylor and Janet Jackson on stage at the BET Awards…
Sent to:2026 Bet Awards Event photos Janet Jackson Teyana Taylor
