BET Awards 2026: The BET Awards Moments Fans Still Talk About Years Later
The BET Awards have produced countless iconic moments over their history, from jaw-dropping performances to impassioned political statements, to viral acceptance speeches, and heartwarming tributes.
From the start, the show has lived at the intersection of music, culture, comedy, fashion, politics, and Black joy, giving us moments that outlast the broadcast and stay in the culture long after the trophies are handed out. Some of those moments made us laugh, some brought us to tears, and others stopped the room cold with a speech, a performance, or a tribute that felt bigger than the stage itself.
Across more than two decades, the BET Awards have delivered viral reveals, unforgettable homages, and no-filter statements that turned an awards show into a cultural archive in real time. In honor of the upcoming BET Awards 2026, we’re looking back at the moments that helped define the show’s legacy, the moments fans still talk about, replay, and quote years later.
Michael Jackson Surprises James Brown
During the 2003 BET Awards, two music legends shared a legendary stage moment. Michael Jackson came onstage to present James Brown with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Jackson tearfully told Brown, “Nobody has influenced me more than this man right here,” then wept as he embraced him. Fans were stunned to see the “King of Pop” honoring the “Godfather of Soul” live. This surprise reunion, complete with two icons united in gratitude, became one of the most heartfelt tributes in awards-show history, forever cementing its status as a standout BET moment.
In 2005, Destiny’s Child gave the BET stage a provocatively playful surprise. Performing their ballad “Cater 2 U,” Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle invited actor Terrence Howard, rapper Nelly, and basketball legend Magic Johnson onstage. Dressed in skin-toned outfits, they proceeded to give each man a sultry lap dance while singing. The men’s reactions – especially Howard’s dropped jaw at Beyoncé’s moves – went viral online. This unexpected, show-stopping routine is still remembered as one of the sexiest and most talked-about performances in BET Awards history, blurring the line between R&B concert and cheeky burlesque.
Just days after Michael Jackson’s death in June 2009, BET paid tribute on the awards show stage. Host Jamie Foxx invited R&B singer Ne-Yo to duet “I’ll Be There” in a mournful, piano-accompanied performance of Jackson’s classic. On a darkened stage with only Jackson’s images projected behind them, Foxx and Ne-Yo delivered the song earnestly. Viewers and critics noted that this understated homage – without flashy production – was deeply moving. It united the audience in remembrance, celebrating Jackson’s legacy with genuine feeling.
Jamie Foxx Honors Trayvon Martin
At the 2013 BET Awards, Foxx made a silent but powerful statement. Instead of evening wear, Foxx wore a red T-shirt featuring a black-and-white image of Trayvon Martin – the unarmed Florida teen fatally shot earlier that year – when accepting Best Actor for “Django Unchained.” Foxx allowed the shirt to do the talking for him. By turning the BET stage into a protest platform, Foxx’s gesture went viral. It linked entertainment to the Black Lives Matter movement, showing how one bold visual (the hoodie image) could turn an awards show into an urgent political statement.
Following Prince’s death in April 2016, the BET Awards dedicated the entire show to celebrating his legacy. Comedian Dave Chappelle opened by acknowledging how their hearts were “broken” by the loss. A lineup of artists – including The Roots, Erykah Badu, Bilal, Maxwell, and Stevie Wonder – performed Prince hits all night. Drummer-vocalist Sheila E. (Prince’s close friend) closed the tribute, wailing on drums and singing a medley to a full band, which got the crowd dancing again. Viewers praised the tribute for its breadth and emotion, calling it a joyous, cathartic farewell to the late icon.
It was 2003 and Destiny’s Child’s lead singer, Beyoncé opened the show…without her bandmates. It was the 3rd annual BET Awards and Beyoncé brought “Crazy in Love” to the stage in one of the earliest signature moments of her solo era. The performance came right as Beyoncé was stepping into her own as a solo star and her solo debut album, “Dangerously in Love,” dropped that same day. “Crazy in Love” had already become a defining hit from the album. Looking back, the moment stands out because it captured Beyoncé in transition, clearly on her way to becoming the powerful force she is today.
Actor Jesse Williams capped the politically charged 2016 BET Awards with a speech that instantly went viral. Accepting the Humanitarian Award, he delivered a poetic and powerful call for racial justice. He named victims of police violence and declared that “police somehow manage to de-escalate…not kill white people every day… We are going to have equal rights and justice in our own country”.
He added, “There has been no war that we have not fought…and there is no tax they haven’t leveed against us.” His unapologetic message earned a standing ovation and was widely shared online. It was considered the most powerful awards show speech of the decade, showing how BET Awards can amplify social justice issues on a national stage.
At the 2004 BET Awards, Mo’Nique didn’t just host the show, she opened with a playful performance inspired by Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” choreography, turning the moment into one of those early BET Awards scenes that felt instantly iconic. The moment got even better when Beyoncé later accepted Best Collaboration for “Crazy in Love” and publicly saluted Mo’Nique from the stage, turning the whole exchange into a full-circle celebration of star power, comedy, and Black pop culture in one room. And then it was even more epic a few years later when Bey performed “Get Me Bodied” and invited Mo’Nique on to the stage for a dance break. Too good!
