Keke Palmer Steals the Show at BET Awards 2026 During Cardi B Intro

At the 2026 BET Awards, Keke Palmer shocked the crowd after she stole the microphone from host Druski, before introducing Cardi B's performance. 

By Paige Catton Jun 29, 2026 3:13 AM
| Updated Jun 29, 2026 3:31 AM
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Watch: Keke Palmer Steals the Show at BET Awards 2026 During Cardi B Intro

Keke Palmer is proving she is, in fact, the drama.

Indeed, the Nope star stole the show at the 2026 BET Awards when she grabbed the microphone from host Druski before introducing Cardi B's performance. 

While doing crowd work with celebrities in the audience, Druski came up to Keke, referring to the One of Them Days actress as "fine s--t." Getting out of her seat, Keke—who donned a sleek one-shouldered black gown—shut down the comedian.

"I don't need none of that. I'm not here for no relationship," she told Druski. "This is a working relationship. Didn't you just get the Forbes list?"

After Druski suggested that Keke likes a man who spends his money, she snatched the microphone out of his hand.

"This should have been my gig. Why the hell would they have you host?" Keke asked, as the crowd cheered in response. "This is the problem with BET. They be tripping! 'Cause this should have been me. I got it!"

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The podcast host then looked right into the camera and introduced Cardi, seemingly reading Druski's teleprompter.

"This next performance is by a Grammy Award-winning artist who came through drippin'," Keke said while the audience continued to applaud. "It has been up til it's stuck. Give it up for the one and only, Cardi B."

And while Keke created a buzzworthy moment, Cardi brought the house down with an epic performance.

After all, the rapper—who rocked a multi-colored bodysuit and bright red wig—performed a medley of songs from her BET Award-nominated album Am I the Drama?, including "Hello," "Check Please," "Errtime" and "Pretty & Petty."

Heading into the June 28 awards show, Cardi led the pack of nominations, earning six nods, including ones for Best Collaboration, Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Video Director of the Year and Album of the Year.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

And during the show, the "I Like It" rapper—who welcomed a baby boy with Stefon Diggs in November—took home the award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, joking that the BET Award trophy was "heavier than my baby."

"This award means so much to me. Three babies later, put the album out, honey," Cardi—also mom to Kulture, 7, Wave, 4, and Blossom, 21 months, with ex Offset— shared. "Yes, I overcame my fear, my anxiety and I put it out, and guess what? Look, I won an award. I want to say thank you to my friends, my family [and] my fans, Bardi Gang."

And Cardi and Keke weren't the only ones who turned heads at culture's biggest night. For more show-stopping looks from the BET Awards, read on.

Druski

Kelly Rowland

Keke Palmer

In Gucci

Doechii

In Dsquared2

French Montana

Queen Latifah

Janet Jackson

Teyana Taylor

In Stephane Rolland

Jamie Foxx

Kehlani

In CHATS by C.DAM

Lizzo

In Christian Cowan

Chlöe Bailey

In Valdrin Sahiti

Gabby Thomas

Eva Marcille

In Muehleder

Skai Jackson

In Do Long

Tia Mowry

T.I.

Mercy Miller, Master P, Hercy Miller

Olandria

Coco Jones

In Basil Soda

Deon Cole

Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long

Jamie Foxx, Anelise Bishop

Flo Milli

Meagan Tandy

Jimmy Jam

Lindsey Diann

Eric Benet

Rick Ross

JaNa Craig

photos
View More Photos From BET Awards 2026: See Every Celebrity Red Carpet Look
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