2025 BET AWARDS: AYRA STARR WINS BEST INT’L ACT, KENDRICK LAMAR, OTHERS WIN BIG (FULL LIST)
Read Time:1 Minute, 39 Second
By: Sefiu Ajape
Afrobeats sensation, Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, widely known as Ayra Starr, has won the 2025 BET Award for Best International Act.
The 22-year-old artist triumphed over a competitive lineup that included South Africa’s Tyla, Nigeria’s Rema, and Ghana’s Black Sherif to claim the prestigious award.
The ceremony, held on Monday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, celebrates Black excellence across music, film, sports, and culture.
This year’s event was hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, who returned to the stage after previously hosting in 2011. Hart kicked off the night with his signature bold humor, taking playful jabs at pop culture figures, including Kanye West.
Since Ayra Starr’s debut nomination in 2022, she has earned nods in several categories, including Best New International Act (2022), Best International Act (2023), BET Her Award (2024 for “Commas”), and three categories in 2025.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar emerged as the night’s biggest winner, taking home five awards out of his ten nominations.
Full list of winners at the 2025 BET Awards:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist—SZA
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist—Chris Brown
Best Group—Future & Metro Boomin
Best Collaboration—”Luther”—Kendrick “”Lamar & SZA
Best Male Hip Hop Artist—Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist—Doechii
Video of the Year – “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
Video Director of the Year—Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Best New Artist—Leon Thomas
Album of the Year—GNX—Kendrick Lamar
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award—”Rain Down on Me”—GloRilla feat. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Best Actress—Cynthia Erivo
Best Actor—Denzel Washington
Best Movie—Luther: Never Too Much
YoungStars Award—Blue Ivy Carter
Sportswoman of the Year—Angel Reese
Sportsman of the Year—Jalen Hurts
BET Her Award – “Heart of a Woman” – Summer Walker
Best New International Act—TxCT (South Africa), Ajuliacosta (Brazil)
Best International Act—Ayra Starr
Viewer’s Choice Award – “Residuals” – Chris Brown
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0