Kehlani finally secured her first BET Award. The 31-year-old singer took home Best Female R&B/Pop Artist at the 2026 BET Awards, beating out a stacked category that included SZA, Jill Scott, Coco Jones, Ella Mai, Ari Lennox, Mariah the Scientist, Olivia Dean, and Tems. The win came during a ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where she also delivered a performance.
The victory carries extra weight for Kehlani. She had been nominated multiple times before, in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2025, without taking home a trophy. This year, she broke through in one of the evening’s most competitive categories. She also won Video of the Year for “Folded,” making it a double-win night for the R&B star.
Kehlani arrived at the ceremony in a striking maroon ensemble, showcasing her signature style ahead of her performance. The BET Awards featured a packed lineup of performers, including Cardi B, Doechii, Queen Latifah, Common, and Jill Scott. Other big winners included Teyana Taylor, who took home Icon of the Year, and Clipse, who won Album of the Year.
The Best Female R&B/Pop Artist award places Kehlani among the genre’s elite. The category recognized the year’s most impactful voices in R&B and pop, and her win signals both critical and popular recognition for her work. For an artist who has consistently delivered quality music without major award validation, this marks a career milestone.
