"BET AWARDS" 2026 UNVEILS SECOND WAVE OF PERFORMERS INCLUDING ALEXIA JAYY, ARI LENNOX, BABY KEEM, BJ THE CHICAGO KID, DURAND BERNARR, ERICA CAMPBELL, GEORGE CLINTON, KENNY IKO, LE'ANDRIA JOHNSON, NAS, RAPSODY AND RAYE

STAR-STUDDED PRESENTER SLATE INCLUDING CARL ANTHONY PAYNE II, CHLÖE BAILEY, CHRIS "COMEDIAN CP" POWELL, DEON COLE, DERAY DAVIS, DIARRA KILPATRICK, GAIL BEAN, ISAIAH JOHN, JAAFAR JACKSON, JACOB LATIMORE, KEKE PALMER, KELLY ROWLAND, LATTO, LUKE JAMES, AND NIA LONG

LIVE SUNDAY, JUNE 28 AT 8 PM ET/PT ON BET #BETAWARDS #CULTURESBIGGESTNIGHT

New York, NY - June 23, 2026 - BET today revealed the second wave of performers and the star-studded slate of presenters set to take the stage at the "BET Awards" 2026, airing live Sunday, June 28 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by Druski.

Culture's Biggest Night just got bigger! Alexia Jayy, Ari Lennox, Baby Keem, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, Erica Campbell, George Clinton, Le'Andria Johnson, Nas, Rapsody and RAYE join the performance lineup, along with BET Amplified artist Kenny Iko.

Throughout the evening, a star-studded roster of presenters and participants will take the stage, including Carl Anthony Payne II, Chlöe Bailey, Chris "Comedian CP" Powell, Deon Cole, DeRay Davis, Diarra Kilpatrick, Gail Bean, Isaiah John, Jaafar Jackson, Jacob Latimore, Keke Palmer, Kelly Rowland, Latto, Luke James, and Nia Long.

These additions join the previously announced first wave of performers - Cardi B, Common, Doechii, Don Toliver, French Montana, Kehlani, KWN, Max B, Queen Latifah, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I., and The War and Treaty. The "BET Awards" 2026 will also celebrate Teyana Taylor as Icon of the Year, sponsored by Hyundai; Sylvia Rhone with the Ultimate Icon Award, sponsored by Unstopables; and Ms. Lauryn Hill with the Living Legend Icon Award, sponsored by Sprite.

The "BET Awards" 2026 airs live Sunday, June 28 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET. For the latest news and updates, follow @BET and join the conversation using #BETAwards.

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ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP

The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY), is the world's largest media company rooted in community, culture, and connection for the Black community. For over four decades, BET has served as a trusted home for Black audiences, amplifying authentic stories, elevating Black voices, and creating spaces where culture thrives and community comes together. Through a powerful portfolio of brands - including BET, BET Her, BET Studios, and VH1 - along with FAST channels such as BET Tyler Perry Comedy, BET Tyler Perry Drama, BET Comedy Movies, BET Cinema, BET Classics, BET Visionaries, BET Throwbacks, and BET Pluto, BET connects audiences across cable, digital, live events, studios, and global platforms. Together, these platforms deliver culturally resonant content that reflects the depth, creativity, and impact of the Black experience. For more information, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For additional announcements, visit paramountpressexpress.com/bet/.

ABOUT BET AWARDS

"BET Awards" is one of the most-watched award shows on cable television, according to the Nielsen Company. The "BET Awards" franchise remains the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is the #1 telecast for BET every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers, and athletes in a variety of categories.

ABOUT BET EXPERIENCE

BET Experience is the destination for elevating unapologetic Blackness with authentic entertainment, access, and lifestyle experiences. Through the lens of millennial and Gen Z audiences, BET Experience curates the culture, standing at the intersection of who this coveted segment is and where they're headed.

ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT

Founded in 2012, Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service Emmy winning production company that has played an integral role in producing many of television's most memorable moments in music entertainment. JCE's award-winning and critically acclaimed television includes programming from its four divisions - specials, sports, scripted and unscripted. From the specials division: award shows - The Emmy Awards, iHeart Radio Music Awards, The 2021 and 2022 American Music Awards, The 2022 Golden Globes, BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors, UNCF's An Evening of Stars and ABFF Honors; specials - Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey (Primetime Emmy Award nominee), Grace For The World: Live from St. Peters Square, A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop, Lil Rel Howery: I said it. Y'all thinking it., CNN's Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom, Martin: The Reunion, John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration, Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today, A GRAMMY Salute to the Sounds of Change, Stand Up for Heroes, Dear Mama, Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin', Def Comedy Jam 25, Leslie Jones: Life Part 2, Leslie Jones: Time Machine, The All-Star Nickmas

Spectacular and Rip the Runway. From the sports division: Beyoncé Bowl at the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans NFL 2024 Christmas Game (Primetime Emmy Award winner), The Super Bowl Halftime Show (Primetime Emmy Award winner), The 95th Major League Baseball All-Star Game Pre-Game Show, The 2025 World Series Game 1 Anthem, NFL Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show starring Jack White and Netflix's Snoop's Holiday Halftime Party. From the scripted division: scripted series - Real Husbands of Hollywood, American Soul and miniseries - The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story. From the unscripted division: unscripted series - Heart & Hustle: Houston, Tia Mowry: My Next Act, Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50, Oh Hell No! With Marlon Wayans, Cardi Tries, My Killer Body with K. Michelle, DJ Cassidy's Pass the Mic and Forward: The Future of Black Music, competition series - Hollywood Squares, Rhythm + Flow, Celebrity Squares, Becoming A Popstar, Sunday Best, Hip Hop Squares and Nashville Squares, talk shows - We Got Time Today, Yara Shahidi's Day Off and Face to Face with Becky G, and children's series - Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices (Daytime Emmy Award winner). Emmy Award winner Jesse Collins is the Founder & CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment and executive producer of all JCE programming. He is also an executive producer for the annual GRAMMY Awards and produced the 2021 Oscars. Emmy winner Dionne Harmon is President. Emmy nominee Jeannae Rouzan-Clay is Senior Vice President of Specials.