Jamie Foxx's Daughter Anelise Steals the Show at the 2026 BET Awards with Father-Daughter Performance and Her Striking Hair – Photos

For a night packed with stars, trophies, and polished red-carpet moments, one young woman managed to become the person viewers kept circling back to — not by saying much, but by standing confidently beside one of Hollywood's most beloved entertainers and later letting her music speak for her.

Jamie Foxx arrived at the 2026 BET Awards with his daughter Anelise Bishop by his side, and by the end of the night, people were not just talking about the music. They were talking about that father-daughter stage moment, the red-carpet photos, and Bishop's unforgettable hair.

The Oscar winner and his 17-year-old daughter stepped out together for the event, looking every inch like a proud dad and his cool, camera-ready teen. Foxx wore a sleek black suit and sunglasses, while Bishop stood beside him in a black tuxedo-style jacket, bow tie, loose pants, and a dramatic cloud of curly hair that instantly drew attention.

Foxx Brought Bishop Further Into the Spotlight for a Surprise Musical Moment

Their appearance already had fans pausing, but the bigger surprise came when the pair took their connection from the carpet to the stage. Once there, Foxx introduced his daughter during Kehlani's performance of "Folded," telling the crowd, "This is my daughter Anelise, give it up."

Bishop sat in on guitar while her dad played piano, turning the awards-show performance into something much more personal. Foxx also said the duo had been "vibing out to" Kehlani's song all year, before singing a few bars of the hit track himself.

Kehlani's "Folded" was nominated for Video of the Year and Viewers' Choice, while the singer had already won Best Female R&B/Pop Artist at the June 28 show at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater. But for many viewers, the sweetest surprise was seeing Foxx make room for his daughter in the spotlight.

And really, this was not some random celebrity-kid cameo. Foxx has been proudly talking about Bishop's musical gifts for years.

Back in 2020, he told Entertainment Tonight that music had become one of the ways they bonded. "That's what's been good is we have been able to connect like that," Foxx said of his then-11-year-old daughter's shared interest.

He also praised her piano skills, saying she played "so well" that she could perform his songs while he sang along. Bishop, he added, had even told him, "I am going on tour with you," and Foxx answered the moment with gratitude, saying, "I am blessed, [sic] we are all blessed."

Viewers Couldn't Stop Talking About Bishop's Bold Locks

The pair later put that dream into action in 2022, when Bishop played as Foxx sang "In Love By Now" during a concert in Dallas. Their latest BET Awards appearance felt like another chapter in that same musical story.

Still, once photos and videos from the event began spreading online, Bishop's hair became a conversation of its own. Some people admired the bold look, while others felt differently.

One viewer wrote, "His daughter has to straighten her hair it [sic] looks out of control." Meanwhile, another commented, "Wow She [sic] looks taller than her dad." The reactions continued on Facebook, where one person asked, "What's up with the hair?" while someone else simply wrote, "She hides."

A third person added, "Still weird her hair [sic]." But there was also a warmer reaction in the mix, with one commenter praising, "Jamie Foxx and his beautiful Daughter.."

Before the Outspoken Comments From Netizens, Foxx Had Already Spoken About His Daughter’s Hair

The discussion around Bishop's hair is not entirely new, either. Foxx himself has lovingly referenced it before, and in a way that showed just how tenderly he sees his younger daughter.

At the 2025 BET Awards, while accepting the Ultimate Icon Award, Foxx became emotional as he thanked his family and reflected on what they meant to him. During that speech, he turned his attention to Bishop and said, "Anelise Estelle Foxx, my baby with the big hair. She hides under that hair because she got [sic] something special. You're so beautiful, man."

That line now feels especially meaningful after her 2026 appearance. What some people saw as a mystery or a distraction is simply part of Bishop's presence — quiet, stylish, talented, and not trying hard to explain herself.

Bishop's Guitar Has Played a Much Deeper Role in Her Father's Life

There is also a deeper reason her guitar moment with Foxx hit so hard. Bishop's music has been tied to one of the most emotional chapters of her father's life.

In 2024, Foxx opened up about his frightening April 2023 medical crisis, when he suffered a brain bleed that caused a severe stroke. As reported by The Express Tribune, he said doctors feared they might lose him during the first 15 days of his hospitalization.

Foxx later recalled that Bishop, then 14, snuck into his hospital room with her guitar because she believed she knew what he needed. As she played, he said, his vitals began to stabilize.

The actor described the moment as miraculous, saying the nurses rushed in thinking medication had caused the change. Instead, Foxx credited Bishop's music, saying, "God was in that guitar. That's my spiritual defibrillator."

That history makes their 2026 BET Awards performance feel even more touching. This was not just a famous dad showing off his daughter — it was a father sharing the stage with someone whose music, by his own account, helped carry him through a terrifying time.

The Family Story Adds Another Layer to Bishop's Public Appearance

And while Foxx is a household name, Bishop has largely grown up with a quieter public profile. That makes the curiosity around her family life understandable, especially when it comes to what is known about her mom, Kristin Grannis, Foxx's ex, who co-parents Bishop with him, and is not a well-known celebrity personality or in the spotlight.

Grannis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. She offers her services to individuals, couples, and families.

Grannis' expertise includes coping skills, family conflict, divorce, infidelity, grief, women's issues, life transitions, and self-esteem, per her web page.

She was licensed by the State of California and obtained her Master of Arts degree at Antioch University, where she graduated in 2012.

"My goal is to provide insightful guidance toward self-awareness, acceptance, and growth," Grannis writes on her web page, which is verified by Psychology Today. Grannis is also on social media and has an Instagram account, which she set to private.

By the End of the Night, Bishop's Images Had Become the Media Everyone Wanted to See

But the big public moment this time belonged to Foxx and Bishop. From the carpet to the stage, the pair gave fans a rare glimpse of their bond, and Bishop's look made sure the photos would not be scrolled past quickly.

In one carpet shot, Foxx stood close to his daughter, pointing toward her as they posed in front of the BET Awards backdrop. Bishop's face was partly shaded by her voluminous hair, giving the image a cool, almost mysterious feel. In another, Foxx smiled and gave a thumbs-up while standing beside her. The proud-dad energy was impossible to miss.

Then came the performance photos, where Bishop sat with a guitar while Foxx played a piano. Under the stage lights, their duet looked polished, intimate, and full of emotion.

The images also captured Bishop's hair from a different angle, framing her face as she focused on the guitar. It was bold, dramatic, and very much part of the visual story of the night.

Whether people loved the look, questioned it, or simply could not stop staring, Bishop became one of the most memorable faces of the evening. And next to her proud father, Jamie Foxx, she did not just attend the BET Awards — she quietly stole a piece of the show.