iHeart, P&G Launch Elton John Impact Awards
• iHeartMedia and P&G announced the inaugural Elton John Impact Awards, celebrating trailblazing LGBTQ+ community members and prominent allies.
Hosted by actor Billy Porter and iHeartMedia’s Elvis Duran, the special will launch as a podcast series on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard and as an audio special airing across iHeartRadio PRIDE stations on June 1.
Created by iHeartMedia and P&G, this first-ever podcast awards ceremony recognizes the legendary individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, bringing together art, culture and impact.
This year’s esteemed honorees include: Jonathan Bailey — Film, television and stage actor who launched The Shameless Fund to support LGBTQ+ charities • Laverne Cox — Emmy-nominated actress and Emmy-winning producer who has elevated transgender visibility in mainstream media and remains a powerful voice for equality and inclusion • Melissa Etheridge — Grammy and Oscar-winning musician who has used her platform to champion LGBTQ+ rights for decades through personal storytelling within her music and cultural advocacy • Billie Jean King — Sports Icon and award-winning humanitarian who has spent her life advocating for gender and LGBTQ+ equality in and out of sports • Orville Peck — Trailblazing Country performer who uses his artistic persona to blend traditional country aesthetics with queer themes and uses his platforms to create visibility and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community • Chappell Roan — Pop icon who advocates for LGBTQ+ rights with her unapologetic artistry and founding of The Midwest Princess Project to support trans youth.
“I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling to connect us and challenge us,” said Elton John. “These conversations bring together the people who have shaped LGBTQ+ culture and fought for dignity at a time when the world too often looked away. Some are friends who stood beside me through the AIDS crisis, others are carrying the torch forward with the new generation. Hearing their stories and reflecting on how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go, is deeply humbling. This is history that cannot be forgotten and these are voices that must be heard.”
“We’re honored to partner with Elton John and P&G to tell these stories of the incredible icons to celebrate their enduring impact on the LGBTQ+ community,” said Gayle Troberman, for iHeartMedia. “Because of this, we are also able to showcase what’s possible when we use our voice to support the organizations on the ground delivering critical support to those in need.”
Proud charitable foundation partners of this year’s event include the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Brandi Carlile‘s Looking Out Foundation. Since it was founded in 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has provided support and care for the LGBTQ+ community and tackled the stigma that stands in the way of ending AIDS for everyone, everywhere, and since 2020, the Foundation has awarded more than 55 grants and invested over $23 million in programs across 47 countries. For more information, visit EltonJohnImpactAwards.com.
