BET Awards 2026: Bow Wow, Rick Ross, More Stars on Red Carpet

Cardi B, who leads the night in nominations with six nods, will perform, while Jill Scott, Kehlani, Tems and T.I.—each of whom have three nominations—will also take the stage. Grammy winner Doechii (four nominations) is also set to perform.

Artists will also be celebrated with three previously-announced awards. Grammy winner Lauryn Hill and nominee Teyana Taylor will be honored with the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award and Icon of the Year Award, respectively. Plus, music industry executive Sylvia Rhone will get the Ultimate Icon Award. 

The award show will also introduce the new Pulse Award category, where the likes of journalist Don Lemon and Breakfast Club host Charlamagne Tha God will face off against Keke Palmer for her podcast Baby This Is Keke Palmer, amongst others.

Palmer is also nominated for Best Actress alongside Taylor—previously an Oscar nominee for her performance in One Battle After Another—as well as Angela Bassett, Ayo Edebiri, Chase Infiniti, Coco Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Quinta Brunson and Regina Hall. 

Meanwhile, Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan received a nod for Best Actor alongside Aaron Pierre, Aldis Hodge, Anthony Mackie, Colman Domingo, Damson Idris, Delroy Lindo, Denzel Washington and Sterling K. Brown. 

Watch the 2026 BET Awards live at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on BET or most Paramount-owned networks, including Paramount+.

For all the stars who showed up and showed out on the red carpet at the event, keep scrolling…