The 2026 BET Awards are officially over, but the red carpet damage is permanent. There’s a very fine line between making a bold fashion statement and looking like you got dressed in pitch-black darkness by a stylist who is actively plotting your downfall. Unfortunately for a few select celebs, they fell into the latter category.
On the flip side, the majority of attendees understood the assignment and showed up in their Sunday best to honor culture’s biggest night.
The Root already showed you some of the best fashions from the red carpet, but we’re throwing a little chaos into the mix. From the near-misses to the flat-out train wrecks—plus a few final crowd-pleasers—here is the rest of the 2026 red carpet!
Candiace Dillard Bassett
Dress color? 10/10! We love a good aqua moment. When it comes to the gloves, I only have one question: WHY? These two colors don’t even go together, nor compliment each other. The ensemble would have worked just as fine without them.
Eva Marcille
Now THIS is how you do it—but we’re not surprised in the least bit. Model Eva Marcille turned the carpet into her own personal runway with this lime green dress, gold clutch and yes, the return of her blonde pixie cut. Fierce!
Nadege August
Personally, I don’t mind the colors. After all, it’s officially summer and bright colors just feel good to wear under the California sun. However, the overall construction of the dress and the ill-fitted top just doesn’t quite make sense.
Scrappy
We “don’t want no problems, problems” Scrappy, but we’re going to be honest. Your look was dapper, but forgettable. From the white sweater to the black slacks, this outfit is incredibly plain and missing that wow factor.
Kristen Maxwell
With a face that gorgeous and curls that perfect, it’s a tragedy when the dress just doesn’t match the energy. She looked stunning from the neck up, but the outfit was an unfortunate miss that completely lost the plot.
Yung Miami
Even Yung Miami knows this look is hot trash by the look on her face! What in the orange, Hefty trash bag at the bottom meets confused, pink princess on top is this??
Shaun Ross
Who needs a tuxedo or suit when you can just wear whatever this contraption is from head to toe? Fire the stylist.
Tia Parchman
This year, the BET Awards reportedly instituted a mandatory dress code: Black tie attire only. Based on that, this look by Tia Parchman was better suited for a teenage rave…in 2012.
Kenny Iko
Come through, Kenny Iko! From the curly Afro, to the rockstar jacket and parachute pants and boots, Kenny Iko understood the assignment.
Jennifer Sears
The color of this gown is absolutely gorgeous, and it pops beautifully against Jennifer Sears’ rich complexion. However, the bottom of the dress is instantly reminiscent of the red dancing emoji—and you already know exactly which one we’re talking about!
Baadja-Lyne Odums
We appreciate the age-appropriate sequined gown on Baadja-Lyne Odums, who plays Elder Mother on Tyler Perry’s “Ruthless.” However, the black fur just threw the look completely off.
Muni Long
It’s the ultimate red carpet nightmare when you show up in the exact same outfit as someone else! Muni Long’s stylist clearly missed the memo when she and Candiace Dillard Bassett stepped out in the same gown. Fortunately, Muni took notes and wisely left the heavy black gloves at home to let the look breathe.
Flo Milli
This edgy look was completely out of the box for Flo Milli, but she absolutely crushed it. Known for her prissy aesthetic, she completely flipped the switch for the 2026 red carpet—getting deep into her grunge bag and channeling a total rock star, mullet and all.
