Teyana Taylor was stunned when Janet Jackson presented her with the Icon of the Year Award at the BET Awards.
“It seems like only yesterday, our rose from Harlem grew out of the concrete and blossomed into our Icon of the Year. I’ve enjoyed watching you, as you know, over the years,” Jackson said. “Watching you defy expectations, rewrite the rules, and lead with an unstoppable work ethic.”
During her speech, Taylor was overcome with emotion and Jackson’s presence.
“Tonight they handed me a title, and that title is Icon of the Year. For a little minute, I wondered if I was supposed to feel uncomfortable saying that title out loud. But no, I worked my ass off 20 years for this,” Taylor said. “So I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with arrogance, I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude.”
Taylor then shared about her multi-hyphenate career.
“Most of my career has been spent building my own dream while helping somebody else build theirs. Because I believe there’s room for all of us to win, even if that means pouring from my own cup into someone else’s, so they can overflow. Not because I had to, but because that’s just who I am,” Taylor continued. “That’s pretty damn iconic, if you ask me, because this business can be very wicked.”
“I believe greatness isn’t measured by how many people stand beneath you. It’s measured by how many people stand beside you, because you’re willing to reach back. That’s the only legacy I care about,” Taylor continued. “So tonight I will wear this title loud and proud, because I promise to continue to earn it.
Taylor then showed some love to her Iman “Junie” Tayla and Rue Rose, her two daughters, whom she shares with ex-husband Iman Shumpert.
“If one day people remember me as an icon,” Taylor explained. “I pray the two of you always.”