Multi-threat entertainer Teyana Taylor is about to take home a major award. Taylor has been announced as the recipient of the Icon of the Year award at the upcoming 2026 BET Awards. The honor will recognize Taylor as one of entertainment’s most impactful artists of her generation.
Taylor will join the ranks of other prestigious winners like Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and Usher. Quite the company for the 35-year-old singer, actor, director, and creative juggernaut.
Teyana Taylor Award Winning Music Career
Taylor has always done more than just music. For years, she has excelled across music, acting, directing, and fashion. She’s consistently demonstrated versatility that most artists can only dream of.
In recent years, Taylor scored a Golden Globe for Best Actress, was nominated for an Oscar for her role in One Battle After Another, and received a Grammy nomination for her R&B album Escape Room.
Taylor also picked up acting roles in films like All’ s Fair and The Rip.
BET executive Connie Orlando called Taylor “the type of artist that builds the table instead of waiting for an invitation to one.”
Rising To Fame
Taylor began her rise to fame with her debut studio album VII back in 2014. She solidified her career with her second studio album K.T.S.E., which housed her hit song “A Rose in Harlem.”
Some of Taylor’s biggest hit singles include fan favorites “Gonna Love Me” and “Issues/ Hold On.” She’s also collaborated with musical icons like Lauryn Hill, Beyonce, Missy Elliott, and Erykah Badu.
Why Taylor’s BET Award Matters
Actress, singers, producers, authors, and more are routinely winning awards for their impact on music, but rarely do you find someone who is celebrated for their impact on culture at large. With this award, Taylor is being honored not just for her impact on music but for her impact on culture as a whole.
Taylor is proving that you can have success in more than one arena of the entertainment industry. While this award recognizes years of her achievements, it also paves the way for future award winners to be multi-talented problem solvers like Taylor.
The 2026 BET Awards will broadcast live on June 28 from BET’s flagship Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Hosted by Druski, Tune in to celebrate Taylor becoming BET’s newest icon.
