LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� fought back tears Sunday after an emotional surprise at the walked onto the stage to present Taylor with the Icon of the Year Award.
Taylor, visibly stunned as Jackson received a standing ovation at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, embraced the music legend before thanking one of her biggest inspirations.
鈥淭hey did not tell me Janet was coming,鈥� Taylor said through tears. 鈥淭here will be no me without you.鈥�
Presenting the award, Jackson praised Taylor鈥檚 relentless work ethic and artistic range, highlighting her Golden Globe win for in 鈥淥ne Battle After Another鈥� and calling her gifts 鈥淕od-given.鈥�
The Icon of the Year Award recognizes a creative force whose influence is shaping culture. Taylor has evolved from a multiplatinum recording artist into an award-winning actor, director, producer and choreographer.
Accepting the honor, Taylor reflected on her two-decade career.
鈥淚 worked my (expletives) off 20 years,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o I鈥檓 not accepting what I鈥檝e earned with arrogance. I鈥檓 accepting what I鈥檝e earned with gratitude.鈥�
Druski opens BET Awards with dramatic entrance
made a grand entrance to kick off the on Sunday, descending from the rafters in a harness as a choir filled the theater with a rendition of Kirk Franklin鈥檚 鈥淩evolution,鈥� setting the tone for a night celebrating music, comedy and culture.
The comedian and digital creator made history by becoming the youngest host of the ceremony, where and will be honored. The show’s opening performances featured Kehlani, who sang 鈥淔olded鈥� with Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Anelise Estelle Foxx, on guitar. Don Toliver also performed his hits 鈥淓85鈥� and 鈥淏ody.鈥�
Accepting the award for best female R&B/pop artist, Kehlani admitted she hadn鈥檛 prepared a speech, instead marveling that 鈥淛anet Jackson is here,鈥� before telling the icon she was 鈥渞eally honored to be here鈥� among the night鈥檚 talent.
Druski, 31, surpassed who previously held the distinction as the BET Award鈥檚 youngest host when he emceed in 2011.
Rick Ross and French Montana performed. Doechii and Queen Latifah were among the stars expected to take the stage.
Who is nominated?
led this year鈥檚 BET Awards with six nominations, while and Mariah the Scientist earned five nods each. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean and Latto followed with four nominations apiece.
The album of the year race includes Cardi B鈥檚 鈥淎m I the Drama?,鈥� Clipse鈥檚 鈥淟et God Sort Em Out,鈥� J. Cole鈥檚 鈥淭he Fall-Off,鈥� Leon Thomas鈥� 鈥淢utt Deluxe: Heel,鈥� Mariah the Scientist鈥檚 鈥淗earts Sold Separately,鈥� Tyler, the Creator鈥檚 鈥淒on鈥檛 Tap the Glass,鈥� Bruno Mars鈥� 鈥淭he Romantic,鈥� and Wale鈥檚 鈥渆verything is a lot.鈥�
Several of the year鈥檚 biggest hits were also in contention for song of the year, including Lamar and SZA鈥檚 鈥淟uther,鈥� Leon Thomas鈥� 鈥淢utt,鈥� Doechii鈥檚 鈥淒enial Is a River,鈥� and Mariah the Scientist鈥檚 鈥淏urning Blue.鈥�
Who are the show鈥檚 performers?
The first wave of performers included Cardi B, Common, Doechii, Don Toliver, French Montana, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Queen Latifah, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I. and The War And Treaty.
Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte returned as the show鈥檚 announcer.
Druski brings his improvisational style and internet-born comedy to the show
He became one of entertainment鈥檚 fastest-rising stars through his viral sketches before expanding into sold-out comedy tours and collaborations with artists including and as well as appearances alongside figures like and
鈥淚 grew up watching the BET Awards,鈥� Druski said. 鈥淭o know the comedic legends that hosted before me set the bar so high, I鈥檓 just grateful to be a part of the history. But I鈥檓 still bringing my brand of comedy to the stage.鈥�
Who will receive special honors?
Hill will receive the Living Legend Icon Award, which recognizes pioneers whose work has remained culturally essential across generations. She first emerged as a member of the Fugees before releasing her landmark solo debut, 鈥淭he Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,鈥� a genre-defying album that became one of the most influential recordings in hip-hop and R&B history.
BET called Hill 鈥渢he very definition of a living legend,鈥� crediting her with reshaping music while inspiring generations of artists.
Music executive will receive the Ultimate Icon Award for her groundbreaking leadership and lasting impact on the music industry.
Rhone made history as the first Black woman to lead a major record company owned by a Fortune 500 corporation. During a career spanning decades, she helped develop artists including Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne, Tracy Chapman, Brandy, Erykah Badu, Kid Cudi, Future, Travis Scott and Giveon.
Are there any other standout nominees?
The awards will feature the Pulse Award for creator and content series and the Fashion Vanguard Award for cultural impact in fashion.
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