By Ghazali Ibrahim
Veteran American actor Richard Lawson celebrated his Nigerian ancestry in grand style by wearing a traditional Agbada to the 2026 BET Awards, earning widespread praise for embracing African culture on one of entertainment’s biggest stages.
Lawson, best known for his decades-long career in film and television, shared photos from the awards ceremony on his Instagram page after attending the event with his business partner, Denee Busby.
Explaining the inspiration behind his outfit, the actor revealed that he chose the flowing Yoruba attire because of his Nigerian roots.
“I had the opportunity to attend the BET Awards last night with my business partner and road dog Denee Busby. Being that I’m 30% Nigerian, I wanted to represent,” Lawson wrote in the caption accompanying the photos.
The actor paired the richly embroidered agbada with a matching cap and accessories, drawing admiration from fans and followers who applauded him for proudly showcasing African fashion on the BET Awards red carpet.
Many social media users described the gesture as a meaningful celebration of Nigerian culture, with several praising Lawson for using his platform to highlight his heritage during one of Black entertainment’s most prestigious events.
The 2026 BET Awards, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, brought together leading figures from music, film, sports and television to celebrate Black excellence and achievement.
Meanwhile, the Black Hollywood actor is Beyoncé’s former step-father. He married her mother, Tina Knowles, in April 2015. However, Tina filed for divorce in July 2023, and the split was officially finalized in 2024.
Lawson’s appearance in traditional Nigerian attire added a distinctive African touch to the star-studded event, showing the growing global influence of African culture and fashion.
