Afrobeats artist Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, better known by her stage name Ayra Starr, has won the Best International Act BET Award for 2025.
The 22-year-old singer won by defeating talented competitors like Black Sherif of Ghana, Rema of Nigeria, and Tyla of South Africa.
The ceremony, which honoured Black brilliance in music, movies, sports, and culture, was held Monday night at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
Comedian Kevin Hart hosted its return this year. With audacious satire and scathing barbs at prominent pop culture personalities, such as Kanye West, Hart, who hosted the show in 2011, got things started.
Since her 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 four major awards: Album of the Year for
GNX,Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of the Year for Not Like Us, and Best Collaboration with SZA for Luther.
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