Nigerian sensation Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, emerged as the Best International Act at the 2025 BET Awards, held on Monday at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
Ayra triumphed over fierce competition from fellow African stars including Tyla, Rema, Black Sherif, Uncle Waffles, and six other global nominees. Her victory places her among an elite group of African artists who have previously taken home the award, such as Davido (2018), Burna Boy (2019–2021, 2023), Tems (2022), and Tyla (2024).
A breakout star in African music, Ayra Starr has built an impressive resume. Earlier this year at the 17th Headies Awards, her track “Last Heartbreak Song” with American R&B singer Giveon Evans won Best R&B Single. Signed to Mavin Records, she previously earned the Viewer’s Choice Award in 2022 for her hit “Bloody Samaritan”.
Her streaming numbers are equally impressive:
-
“Santa” – 695 million streams
-
“Rush” – 470 million streams
-
“Commas” – 115 million streams
-
“All the Love” – over 12 million streams
-
“Gimme Dat” feat. Wizkid – over 16 million streams and peaked at No.4 on the UK Afrobeats Chart
Her 2024 album, “The Year I Turned 21,” topped Nigeria’s Spotify Album Chart and reached No. 80 on the UK Official Albums Chart.
About the 2025 BET Awards
The BET Awards, founded in 2001 by Black Entertainment Television, honor Black and minority achievements in music, film, sports, and philanthropy. This year’s milestone 25th edition was hosted by Kevin Hart, commemorating a quarter-century of cultural excellence and reunions of past winners.
Kendrick Lamar led the night with 10 nominations and took home five major awards, including:
-
Album of the Year – GNX
-
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
-
Video of the Year – “Not Like Us”
-
Best Collaboration – “Luther” with SZA
Complete List of 2025 BET Awards Winners:
Album of the Year
Winner: GNX – Kendrick Lamar
Nominees included: Drake & Partynextdoor, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Doechii, GloRilla, The Weeknd, Future & Metro Boomin
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Winner: SZA
Nominees: Ayra Starr, Coco Jones, Kehlani, Muni Long, Summer Walker, Victoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Winner: Chris Brown
Nominees: Bruno Mars, Drake, Fridayy, Leon Thomas, Teddy Swims, The Weeknd, Usher
Best Group
Winner: Future & Metro Boomin
Nominees: Drake & Partynextdoor, Flo, Common & Pete Rock, 41, Maverick City Music
Best Collaboration
Winner: “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Other nominees included: SZA ft. Kendrick, Doechii ft. JT, Teddy Swims ft. Giveon, Lil Wayne & Young Thug
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Winner: Doechii
Nominees: Cardi B, Doja Cat, GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Rapsody, Sexyy Red
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Winner: Kendrick Lamar
Nominees: Burna Boy, Drake, Future, Lil Wayne, Tyler, The Creator
Video of the Year
Winner: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
Nominees: Drake, Doechii, The Weeknd, Tyler, The Creator
Video Director of the Year
Winners: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Best New Artist
Winner: Leon Thomas
Nominees: Ayra Starr, BigXthaPlug, BossMan Dlow, Dee Billz, Teddy Swims
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Winner: “Rain Down on Me” – GloRilla ft. Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music
Viewer’s Choice Award
Winner: “Residuals” – Chris Brown
International Categories:
Best International Act
Winner: Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Nominees: Tyla (South Africa), Rema (Nigeria), Black Sherif (Ghana), Uncle Waffles (Eswatini), Any Gabrielly (Brazil), Ezra Collective (UK), SDM (France), Joé Dwèt Filé (France), Basky (UK), MC Luanna (Brazil)
Best New International Act
Winner: [Not officially announced in the original article]
Nominees: Abigail Chams (Tanzania), Shallipopi (Nigeria), Dr Yaro (France), Dlala Thukzin (South Africa), Maglera Doe Boy (South Africa), Ajulicosta (Brazil)
Film & Acting Categories:
Best Movie
Winner: Luther: Never Too Much
Nominees: Bad Boys: Ride or Die, The Piano Lesson, Rebel Ridge, Mufasa: The Lion King
Best Actor
Winner: Denzel Washington
Nominees: Anthony Mackie, Colman Domingo, Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Kevin Hart
Best Actress
Winner: Cynthia Erivo
Nominees: Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer, Zendaya, Quinta Brunson, Kerry Washington
Young Stars Award
Winner: Blue Ivy Carter
Sports Categories:
Sportswoman of the Year
Winner: Angel Reese
Nominees: Coco Gauff, Simone Biles, Sha’Carri Richardson, A’ja Wilson
Sportsman of the Year
Winner: Jalen Hurts
Nominees: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Deion Sanders, Anthony Edwards
The 2025 BET Awards celebrated a fusion of music, film, sports, and social impact—marking a monumental year for Black excellence globally. Ayra Starr’s win not only underscores her meteoric rise but also signals a new era for African music on the international stage
