The 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York hosted by Ross Mathews took place on May 11 with EGOT recipient Jennifer Hudson was honored with GLAAD’s Excellence in Media Award for championing allyship and promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues.
“Do y’all know how beautiful you are?” Hudson asked as she took the stage to accept the award from Laverne Cox. “Do you know your stories deserve to be told? You guys make me feel safe [and] loved my whole life… and therefore it is my mission to do the same.”
She stood on the stage accepting the award she presented to Patti LaBelle 17 years ago. “I want to say that so all of us in this room… continue to use your voice,” she encouraged. “It’s nothing like seeing others being blessed from your blessings. That is what the Jennifer Hudson Show represents… bringing everyone together. I want everyone to feel like they matter [and] have a safe place. Feel celebrated whatever you going through. If you want to be celebrated just know that Jennifer Hudson is gonna cheer you on!” She even gave the crowd a mini Dreamgirls concert in her speech. Watch the full speech below.
“A multi-hyphenate talent who uses her platform and influence across media to support and uplift LGBTQ people, Jennifer Hudson’s allyship is thoughtful, loud, and powerful,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a previous statment. “Most recently, she champions our community on her talk show by regularly shining a bright light on inspiring LGBTQ changemakers for audiences everywhere.”
This year The Jennifer Hudson Show was nominated for Outstanding Variety or Talk Show Episode for the episode ““Jennifer Hudson Surprises HIV Activist with $10,000.”
GLAAD’s Excellence in Media Award is presented to allies who have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people. Previous honorees include Marren Morris, Judith Light, Ava DuVernay, Patti LaBelle, Debra Messing, Tyra Banks, Julianne Moore, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer and more.