BET names 10 Fashion Vanguard nominees

BET added a new Fashion Vanguard Award to its 2026 awards lineup on May 19, expanding the show beyond music, film and sports categories. The network said the first class of nominees includes A$AP Rocky, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Colman Domingo, Doechii, Rihanna, Teyana Taylor and Zendaya, with the award meant to honor a figure whose style has had “long-standing cultural impact.” The new category arrived as BET rolled out its full 2026 nominations slate, with Cardi B leading the overall field with six nods. Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist followed with five nominations each, while Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean and Latto received four apiece, according to BET and syndicated coverage of the announcement. (paramountpressexpress.com) ### Who made the first Fashion Vanguard shortlist? BET’s May 19 nominations release named nine nominees in the text available through syndicated and entertainment coverage: A$AP Rocky, Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Colman Domingo, Doechii, Rihanna, Teyana Taylor and Zendaya. Multiple reports described the field as part of the show’s debut Fashion Vanguard category. (paramountpressexpress.com) The preliminary card for this story referred to 10 nominees, and social posts circulating on May 19 also described a 10-name list. But the official and syndicated text surfaced in available reporting names nine people. Based on the sources reviewed, BET has publicly confirmed those nine nominees; a 10th name was not independently verifiable from the material available online. (ktla.com) ### What did BET say the award is for? BET said the Fashion Vanguard Award will recognize “a global figure whose fashion presence has had long-standing cultural impact, has significantly influenced style narratives, and continues to elevate fashion as a form of storytelling across music, film, sports, and public life.” That language appeared in the network’s nominations materials and in republished coverage on May 19. (paramountpressexpress.com) Connie Orlando, BET’s executive vice president of specials, music programming and music strategy, said in a statement that the new Fashion Vanguard Award and the new Pulse Award were intended to honor more ways Black culture “continues to show up and evolve.” ### Why is Cardi B part of this story beyond fashion? (paramountpressexpress.com) Cardi B entered the broader 2026 BET Awards race with six nominations, the most of any nominee announced on May 19. BET said those nods include Fashion Vanguard, best collaboration for “Errtime Remix” with Jeezy and Latto, best female hip hop artist, video director of the year with Patientce Foster, album of the year for “AM I THE DRAMA?” and viewers’ choice for “Outside.” (ktla.com) Doechii also appears in both conversations. BET listed her among the Fashion Vanguard nominees and said she received four total nominations, including best female hip hop artist and video of the year for “Anxiety.” ### What else is new in this year’s BET Awards? (paramountpressexpress.com) BET said the 2026 show introduced two new categories: Fashion Vanguard Award and Pulse Award. The Pulse Award will honor a creator, campaign or content series that moved Black culture forward in digital spaces, with nominees including 85 South Show, “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer,” Charlamagne Tha God, Don Lemon and Druski. (paramountpressexpress.com) Nominations were selected by the BET Voting Academy, which BET described as a group of entertainment professionals and influencers across music, media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations and creative arts. ### When will the winner be announced? (paramountpressexpress.com) BET said the 2026 BET Awards will air live on June 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with comedian and internet personality Druski set to host. The show will be carried on BET and simulcast across several Paramount-owned networks, while BET said additional performer and honoree announcements will come in the coming weeks. (paramountpressexpress.com)