<p id=”par-1_24″>Now that the 2026 BET Awards are in the books, we’re looking back at some of the best moments and the biggest winners. </p>
<p id=”par-2_80″>The star-studded ceremony took place on June 28 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and included a perfomance by <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/cardi-b-millions-dollars-handbags-despite-admitting-ugly.html/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Cardi B</a>. The “Bodak Yellow” <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/cardi-b-wants-do-numbers-like-bad-bunny-future-tours.html/”>hitmaker</a> also took home the award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, marking her third career win in the category and her first victory since her back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019. Now, an expert is pointing out how Cardi commanded the stage but did something to show that she still has a vulnerable side.</p>
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<p id=”par-3_48″>Inbaal Honigman is an astrologer and body language expert. She has appeared in the media for more than 20 years, offering her expertise and perspectives on current events and pop culture figures for several outlets, including <em>Big Brother’s Little Brother</em>, Elle Magazine, and talkSPORT radio, to name a few.</p>
<p id=”par-4_49″>Speaking on behalf of <a href=”https://casino.guru/canada/”>Casino Guru</a>, Honigman told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “Cardi’s performance is characterized by a defiant facial expression. She exposes her teeth, which is a dominant move, assertive and in control. When she walks, her steps are powerful and long, showing that she believes in her own presence.</p>
<p id=”par-5_64″>“This aggressive body language suggests that she’s responding to any voices who didn’t think she belongs on the BET Awards stage. This defiant display is aimed at someone, or a few someones. Cardi shows no signs of nerves at all, and at the end of the show she flashes a true, genuine, toothy smile. She’s proud of herself and will not apologize for that.”</p>
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<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”Cardi B Wins Best Female Hip Hop Artist | BET Awards ’26” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/NTy1puThwSU?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p id=”par-6_18″>Honigman also talked about how when the rapper’s accepted her award, she showed a hint of vulnerability. </p>
<p id=”par-7_76″>“Cardi wastes no time jumping out of her seat to receive her award. She’s not even pretending that she’s surprised,” the expert noted. “As she walks onto the stage, she’s proud of her achievement. Her smile is proud, her chin raised in defiance, and her tongue touches her lip in a cheeky facial expression. She’s having a little giggle with her win, so she understands that it’s not too serious. It’s just a bit of fun.</p>
<p id=”par-8_66″>“Her arms spread wide, Cardi shows that she’s welcoming the award. As she’s leaving the stage, Cardi lifts her shoulders coyly, in a childlike move. She’s proud of the award, but this coy shoulder move indicates that she’s uncertain whether it was really hers to win. She sees herself as so young and vulnerable still, and thinks that maybe only grown-ups get to receive awards like that.”</p>
<p id=”par-9_19″>According to Honigman, other artists who weren’t surprise to win an award when they did are Doechii and SZA.</p>
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<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”SZA & Doechii Win the BET Her Award for “Girl, Get Up” | BET Awards ’26” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/QAq3FNRp2-4?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p id=”par-10_58″>“The pair are not at all surprised to have won. They ascend the stage casually, unhurried, as if they’re going to the kitchen to get a coffee, not to the BET stage to receive an excellence award,” Honigman said. “Their steps are peaceful and confident, and they look at each other, showing that they’re happier being there together.</p>
<p id=”par-11_45″>“Their eye contact supports them and makes them feel safer. Both girls smile heartily and genuinely, eyes narrowed with happiness, teeth gleaming. When Doechii thanks SZA, she rocks her body back and forth as if in prayer. Her gratitude is almost of a spiritual nature.”</p>
<p id=”par-12_18″><em>Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges that conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds.</em></p>