Nigerian music star Ayra Starr secured the Best International Act award at the 2025 BET Awards, held on June 9, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, marking the event’s 25th anniversary. She outshone competitors including Rema (Nigeria), Tyla (South Africa), Black Sherif (Ghana), and Uncle Waffles (Swaziland). Hosted by Kevin Hart, the ceremony celebrated Black excellence in music, film, TV, and sports, with guests like Tyler Perry, Keke Palmer, Jennifer Hudson, and Shaboozey.
Kendrick Lamar led with 10 nominations, winning four, including Album of the Year, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, and Video of the Year for Not Like Us. Doechii earned her first BET Awards for Best Female Hip Hop Artist and Best Collaboration for ALTER EGO with JT, while GloRilla won the Viewer’s Choice Award for TGIF. Performances featured Lil Wayne, Ledisi, Teyana Taylor, Playboi Carti, Mya, Keyshia Cole, and B2K, with a tribute to 106 & Park. Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and Kirk Franklin received the Ultimate Icon Award.
Ayra Starr’s win reinforces her status as a leading Afrobeats voice globally. Full 2025 BET Awards winners include:
Album of the Year: GNX — Kendrick Lamar
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: SZA
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Usher
Best Group: Future & Metro Boomin
Best Collaboration: ALTER EGO — Doechii feat. JT
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Doechii
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Video of the Year: Not Like Us — Kendrick Lamar
Video Director of the Year: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Best New Artist: Shaboozey
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award: Rain Down on Me — GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Viewer’s Choice Award: TGIF — GloRilla
Best International Act: Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Best New International Act: Shallipopi (Nigeria)
BET Her: BLACKBIIRD — Beyoncé feat. Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts
Best Movie: The Piano Lesson
Best Actor: Colman Domingo
Best Actress: Viola Davis
Young Stars Award: Blue Ivy Carter
Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year: LeBron James








