Anthony Anderson tapped to host return of BET ‘Soul Train Awards’

The actor will lead the evening’s celebration of music and culture from Chicago.

Anthony Anderson has been named the host of the 2026 BET Soul Train Awards as the event returns following a three-year hiatus. The Golden Globe-nominated actor has previously hosted the BET Awards in 2015 and 2016 and served as host of the NAACP Image Awards for eight consecutive years, as well as the 75th Annual Emmy Awards.

“I’m thrilled to be back with BET and especially excited to host Soul Train Awards in Chicago, where the Soul Train legacy began,” explained the 56-year-old. “Soul Train is more than a television show or an awards franchise; it’s a piece of our cultural history. Don Cornelius created a platform that gave Black artists a place to shine, and generations later, that spirit is still alive. I’m looking forward to celebrating the legends, the artists shaping R&B and soul today, and bringing a whole lot of fun to the night.”

“Anthony brings an incredible combination of comedic instinct, musical knowledge, and genuine love for this culture,” added Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming and Music Strategy for BET. “His longstanding relationship with BET, coupled with his experience hosting some of television’s biggest award shows, makes him a natural fit for this new chapter of Soul Train Awards.

Last month, BET announced that the awards show will return to its home network and make its first broadcast on CBS this November. The last “Soul Train Awards” were hosted by Keke Palmer in 2023

BET president Louis Carr said in a statement, “As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the ‘Soul Train Awards’ back to the city where it all originated. Coming off a landmark year for BET, this return reaffirms what we do best: bringing our community together around the culture and connecting the artists who built this sound to the ones carrying it forward.”

The 2026 Soul Train Awards are set to air on Friday, November 27, at 8 PM ET/PT on BET and CBS. Performers, honorees, and additional special moments are set to be announced in the coming weeks.